ABRI refuses ransom demands

ABRI refuses ransom demands

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Armed Forces (ABRI) asserted that it
will not give in to ransom demands by the Free Papua separatist
organization (OPM) who have been holding two high school students
hostage since November.

"If what is meant by negotiating is to ask for ransom money
for the two students, then we refuse," said military spokesperson
Brig. Gen. Suwarno Adiwijoyo said Monday evening on the
possibility of talks with the separatists.

As reported by Antara, two students from Swakarsa High school
in the Jayapura regency were kidnapped by separatists on Nov. 22.
A ransom of 20,000 kinas (Rp 40 million) is being demanded.

Suwarno asserted that ABRI will not tolerate such crimes and
will only enter into talks about the possibility of the
separatists surrendering, not about negotiating the ransom. (mds)