Calls for independent killing probe

JAYAPURA, Papua: An Irian Jaya legislator urged the central government on Tuesday to form an independent team consisting of Indonesians, Americans, Australians and locals to investigate the deadly ambush in Timika.

Paskaslis Kossay said that the team should be set up as soon as possible to probe the attacks.

Many believe the attacks involve the Indonesian Military (TNI) who have denied the charges and blame the separatist Free Papua Organization (OPM).

The first of two ambushes in the Timika district was on Aug. 21 when two Americans and an Indonesian employed by the mining company Freeport were killed. Seven other Americans and another Indonesian were injured.

The second ambush was on Sept. 21 during which First Sergeant Edy Susanto was injured.

OPM has been waging a guerrilla war in the resource-rich but underdeveloped province since the 1960s. --Antara