Austrian minister robbed in Puncak

JAKARTA (JP): Four men attacked and robbed the visiting Austrian deputy minister of trade on Sunday at the Gunung Mas tea plantation in the Puncak mountain resort in Bogor, police said.

A reliable source at the Austrian Embassy in Jakarta confirmed the incident and said 42-year-old Grim Gernold was on a business trip to the capital. He was robbed of a cellular telephone, wristwatch and Rp 420,000 in cash.

The source declined to provide further details but said the case was being handled by a member of the ambassador's staff.

Austrian ambassador Victor Segalla could not be reached for comment.

Local police said Gernold was attacked when he was walking alone at about 1 p.m. in the agribusiness tourist resort.

"He (Gernold) was suddenly blocked by four men who appeared out of the tea bushes. One of them pulled a machete on him," an officer said.

Gernold was injured when he tried to ward off a blow with his arms, he added.

Another man pulled a knife from his jacket and threatened Gernold with it as the others took his valuables, the officer said.(emf)