Cartenz still closed to public

Cartenz still closed to public

JAYAPURA: The chief of the Trikora (Irian Jaya and Maluku)
Military Command. Maj. Gen. Johny Lumintamg says the Cartenz
mountain range is still dangerous and closed to climbers.

The entry ban was imposed last August when 14 workers from the
timber firm PT Kamundan Raya were taken hostage by 50 local
tribespeople.

The Djajanti Group employees were captured when 50
tribespeople raided their base camp 60 kilometers north of
Timika.

Johny said ban would be called off when the area was safe
again, Antara reported yesterday.

"We don't want to see or hear about anything like this
happening to mountain climbers or tourists," he said.

Johny said PT Kamundan Raya's Timika office has resumed
operations. A source in Timika said it was working on minor
projects. (sur)