'Rebels to blame for Timika'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The government says the separatist movement in
\nIrian Jaya is to blame for the recent civilian deaths in the
\ncopper mining town of Timika.<\/p>\n
Minister of Defense Edi Sudradjat told a hearing with the
\nHouse of Representatives yesterday that the government is still
\nwaiting for the results of an ongoing investigation before it
\ntakes action over the killings.<\/p>\n
He said that there are \"forces, namely a GPK, which have their
\nown flag, commanders and weapons.\"<\/p>\n
\"GPK,\" or Gerakan Pengacau Keamanan (security disturbing
\nmovement) is the military shorthand for separatist group.<\/p>\n
Edi said members of the movement had been involved in clashes
\nwith the Armed Forces and had caused casualties. \"As in many
\nguerrilla wars, this movement relies on the local people, so that
\n(conflicts) often cause casualties among civilians,\" he said.
\n\"Bullets don't have eyes,\" he added.<\/p>\n
\"The teams from the Armed Forces and the National Commission
\non Human Rights are still working. Let's wait,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The team sent by the rights commission returned to Jakarta
\nfrom Timika on Saturday. Its members said they had found evidence
\nthat a number of civilians had been killed in Timika.<\/p>\n
However, the team said it had not yet determined whether there
\nhad been human rights violations in the incident. The commission
\nis scheduled to announce its findings on Friday.<\/p>\n
Edi said the authorities are still waiting for the completion
\nof all investigations before making any decision on the
\nestablishment of an officers' honor council. \"If it's considered
\nnecessary, then we'll establish one,\" he said.<\/p>\n
During the hearing, Edi also spoke about the recent rioting in
\nseveral towns in the province of East Timor, reportedly triggered
\nby religious conflicts, which resulted in the detention of twenty
\nyouths.<\/p>\n
Police Chief Banurusman Astrosemitro visited the youths
\nyesterday, while the human rights commission is expected to
\nlaunch an investigation into the unrest today.<\/p>\n
Youths in the mainly Roman Catholic province rioted earlier
\nthis month after an official reportedly made derogatory remarks
\nabout Catholicism.<\/p>\n
\"What really happened in that province is a process of rapid
\nsocial (change) the impact of which is shocking (to the people),\"
\nEdi said.<\/p>\n
East Timor is experiencing \"a cultural shock\" the side-effects
\nof which have been manipulated by certain political groups, he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
The main causes of conflicts are fanaticism and narrow-
\nmindedness of certain groups, hypersensitivity toward social
\ninequality and extra-legal approaches, he said.<\/p>\n
He suggested that religious propagation be conducted in such a
\nway that will not create \"over-fanaticism.\" He added said that
\nconflicts could be prevented by ensuring a more equitable
\ndistribution of the fruits of development and the establishment
\nof social conditions in which every citizen has equal rights and
\nobligations.<\/p>\n
During the hearing, Edi also proposed increases of up to 25
\npercent in his ministry's budget for the 1996-1997 fiscal year.<\/p>\n
He said the ministry needs Rp 1.3 trillion for development
\nspending, a 10 percent increase from its current budget, and Rp
\n5.7 trillion for routine spending, an amount nearly 25 percent
\nthan its current budget.<\/p>\n
One of the goals for the next fiscal year is the improvement
\nof the welfare of, and professionalism among, soldiers, he said.
\n(swe)<\/p>",
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