Tension rises in Jayapura over flag dispute<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Tension heightened in the Irian Jaya capital of
\nJayapura on Monday as proindependence leaders asserted their
\nrefusal to lower the Morning Star separatist flag.<\/p>\n
A meeting which was called by the provincial authorities on
\nMonday failed to persuade the proindependence activists grouped
\nin the Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) to comply with Jakarta's
\nban against hoisting the flag.<\/p>\n
PDP chief Theys Hiyo Eluay walked out of the gubernatorial
\noffice, the venue of the meeting, in an apparent sign of protest.<\/p>\n
\"I'm ready to die in defense of the (Morning Star) flag. There
\nis no reason to lower it. If it is lowered, the (national) red-
\nand-white flag must be removed too,\" Theys told reporters before
\nheading for his room at Matoa Hotel on Jl. A. Yani in downtown
\nJayapura.<\/p>\n
In his absence, PDP secretary-general Thaha Al Hamid
\nrepresented the proindependence group as the meeting restarted.
\nGovernor Musiran Darmosuwito, Trikora Military Commander Maj.
\nGen. Albert Inkiriwang and Irian Jaya Police chief Brig. Gen.
\nS.Y. Wenas were all present.<\/p>\n
Musiran threatened afterward to let the security authorities
\ncope with attempts to keep the separatist flag flying.<\/p>\n
\"We urged PDP members to comply with government's ruling that
\nall Morning Star flags must be lowered. If they are not, it is up
\nto the security authorities to take stern measures,\" Musiran told
\na post-meeting conference.<\/p>\n
The city was tense throughout the day. Streets were almost
\ndeserted and most shops and business centers in Abepura and
\nSentani districts remained closed due to fear of possible clashes
\nbetween proindependence activists and security personnel.<\/p>\n
Thousands of terrified Sentani residents fled their homes and
\nsought shelter at the military compound of Infantry Battalion 751
\nPrajawirajakti, about 42 kilometers west of Jayapura.<\/p>\n
\"We are afraid of possible clashes between the Papuan Task
\nForce and security troops during the operation to lower the
\nMorning Star flag,\" a resident said.<\/p>\n
Hundreds of PDP members were seen guarding Morning Star flags
\nhoisted in front of the Irian Jaya Art Council building on Jl.
\nIrian in Jayapura and at They's resident in Sentani.<\/p>\n
Thaha told reporters after Monday's meeting that PDP would
\nannounce its official stance on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
\"We will offer three options: first, let PDP and Papuan Task
\nForce members lower the flags themselves; second, remove both
\nMorning Star and national flags altogether; or leave the matter
\nto the security authorities,\" Thaha said.<\/p>\n
Thaha said PDP would consult Theys as the presidium's chief on
\nthe issue.<\/p>\n
Theys, who was elected provincial legislator representing
\nGolkar three times in 1971\/1977, 1977\/1982 and 1987\/1992, was
\nappointed PDP chief in the first Papuan People's Congress in
\nFebruary last year.<\/p>\n
Since July 1998, he had been actively involved in the
\nformation of PDP, an organization originally aimed at bridging
\ndifferences in opinion between the Irianese and the central
\ngovernment. PDP, however, altered its course and turned to
\npromote independence.<\/p>\n
In Yogyakarta, some 29 Irianese representing 2,800 Papuans
\nliving here met with Governor Hamengubuwono X in the Kepatihan
\ngubernatorial office to demand security assurances following an
\nincident on Oct. 9 in which a band of unidentified men attacked
\nan Irianese boarding house on Jl. Trikora.<\/p>\n
\"We also received threats by anonymous callers. If there's no
\n(security) guarantee, we will leave Yogyakarta,\" Safar Mudatsir
\nFuruada, one of the protesters, said.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, some 200 Irianese grouped in the Papuan
\nCommunication Forum rallied at National Police Headquarters,
\ndemanding National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro be held
\nresponsible for the bloody incident in Wamena last week.<\/p>\n
Bimantoro told the protesters the police had taken the
\npersuasive approach with PDP by asking its people not to hoist
\nthe flag but no response had been received. (01\/34\/swa\/edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/tension-rises-in-jayapura-over-flag-dispute-1447893297",
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