ABRI to get new role in Irian Jaya

ABRI to get new role in Irian Jaya

JAKARTA (JP): The Armed Forces (ABRI) is changing its approach
in Irian Jaya in a bid to win the hearts of people there, with
its highest regional commander pledging Saturday to look after
local villagers rather than fight separatist rebels.

Trikora Regional Military Chief Maj. Gen. Amir Sembiring said
soldiers to be sent to the country's easternmost region in the
future would be armed with agricultural equipment, seeds for
planting and livestock, instead of weapons.

He said ABRI would change its "military operations" policy,
introducing new measures under a "territorial development" policy
-- which would focus more on helping local villagers pursue a
better life.

"Just until recently, there are quite a few ABRI soldiers
combing the deep forest of Irian Jaya, looking for GPK (term for
the separatist rebels).

"Now, it's no longer necessary. Looking after people in the
villages is better," Sembiring was quoted by Antara as saying in
the province's town of Manokwari.

Sembiring hoped the planned change in military approach to the
Irian people would also help lure back the separatist rebels
still waging sporadic guerrilla operations against ABRI.

He said he hoped the activists of the Free Papua Movement
would return to their home villages to work their land hand-in-
hand with other villagers and soldiers.

The Free Papua Movement has been fighting for an independent
West Papua independent state since the former Dutch West Irian
became the country's 26th province in 1963.

Sembiring's announcement over the weekend came following
several incidents in which Irianese have staged rallies to demand
an independent state.

At least one person died and another was injured when soldiers
opened fire at a pro-independence rally at a university in
Jayapura on July 3.

On July 6, at least one man was killed when troops fired shots
in Biak to disband a mass rally, which included the raising of
outlawed West Papua flags. Five other people have remained
missing since, human rights observers have said.

Sembiring, a former Manokwari military chief, conceded there
had been "several unsuitable things" taking place given the war-
like "military operations" policy being carried out in the
province during the past decades.

He admitted the policy had led to human rights violations and
also had prompted many groups and prominent members of the
society in Irian Jaya to urge ABRI to withdraw itself from the
region.

Responding to the growing calls, Sembiring claimed to have
discussed the issue with several related parties and subsequently
had agreed that the military would change its existing approach
instead.

"The most important thing is, Armed Forces soldiers will be
getting closer to villages, working together with social and
religious leaders, community heads... even with students from
various fields of study if necessary, while coordinating with
village heads," Sembiring said. (prb/aan)