Arrangements being made for Onde trip

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): Tickets are being prepared for Irian Jaya separatist leader Willem Onde and his men to go to Jakarta to meet President Abdurrahman Wahid as requested by him after the release of 13 of the 16 people kidnapped by the separatist group on Jan. 16.

Irian Jaya Police spokesman Maj. Zulkifli said here on Monday that the Merauke regent John Globe Gebze, who led the team negotiating with Onde's men in the Asiki district, had left the negotiation site and was preparing Onde's trip to Jakarta.

Around 10 people, including traditional and religious figures, would accompany Onde during the trip, Zulkifli said. However he did not have any idea when Onde would leave for Jakarta.

Onde had asked to meet the President anywhere within seven days after he released 13 of the hostages. Three hostages remain detained as Onde wants a guarantee that his request to meet the President is granted.

The three remaining hostages are Kun Kwan and Lee Jongmy (Koreans) and Kamilus Muyu.

The Merauke-based Free Papua Organization (OPM), led by Onde, abducted 11 people, including one Korean expatriate, hostage in the district of Asiki on Jan. 16. The hostages belonged to a South Korean timber company PR Korindo operating in the area.

The abductors demanded compensation for the destruction of local forests, a total halt to logging and the withdrawal of the Police Mobile Brigade from Asiki.

Two days later, five more PT Korindo staffers, including two Koreans, were also taken hostage by the same people.

Meanwhile in Jakarta, the newly installed Trikora Military chief Maj. Gen. Mahidin Simbolon said on Monday that Onde, who is over 50, is a good friend of members of the Army elite troops Kopassus posted at Merauke. "Onde had also met Gus Dur prior to the Papuan Congress in November last year."

"Onde demanded that the (Indonesian) government give him and his men plots of land and houses. The request has yet to be fulfilled since the government has been too busy with a myriad of other problems. Kopassus itself could not make the necessary land and houses available for him," Mahidin said. (02/35/sur)