Red Cross seeks to make contact with Irian rebels<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A Red Cross team is still trying to make contact
\nwith Free Papua Movement (OPM) rebels that have been holding
\nseven Indonesians and six Europeans captive in the jungles of
\nIrian Jaya since Jan. 8.<\/p>\n
The three-member team from Jakarta, which started its mission
\non Friday, has dropped seven bags of leaflets around the
\nMapunduma village.<\/p>\n
The hostages are believed to be near the area of Mapunduma, in
\nthe Timika regency, which lies on a 4,000-meter-high jungle-clad
\nmountain.<\/p>\n
Contact with the rebels was last made on Jan. 25, when Roman
\nCatholic Bishop Herman Munninghoff went by helicopter to
\nMapunduma and met rebel leader Kelly Kwalik.<\/p>\n
As of Saturday evening, the separatist rebels led by the
\nnotorious Kwalik had not given any response, the Antara news
\nagency reported yesterday.<\/p>\n
The mission called on the OPM guerrillas to establish radio
\ncontact.<\/p>\n
\"We are from the Geneva-based International Red Cross. We have
\ncome here as you requested and we look forward to meeting you,\"
\nsaid one of the leaflets written in three languages: Indonesian,
\nAmungme and Duga.<\/p>\n
The IRC assured the rebels that the team was independent and
\nusing civilian pilots.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Albert Hasibuan and Asmara Nababan from the
\nNational Commission on Human Rights left the Irian Jaya capital
\nof Jayapura for Wamena in a separate bid to help release the
\ncaptives.<\/p>\n
Last week, quoting military sources, Reuter reported that the
\nrebels appeared to be heading west from Mapunduma towards
\nTembagapura, near Timika, where Freeport Indonesia operates a
\ngiant gold and copper mine.<\/p>\n
Irian Jaya officials attributed the OPM's low-level rebellion
\nto the local tribal people's communal land, which was acquired
\nfor Freeport's projects at prices set by the authorities. (pan)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/red-cross-seeks-to-make-contact-with-irian-rebels-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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