DPRD backs independent probe into They's murder

R.K. Nugroho, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura

The Irian Jaya provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) approved on Friday several demands by a local separatist group, including the establishment of an independent team consisting of both Indonesians and foreigners to investigate the death of top rebel leader Theys Hiyo Eluay.

In a plenary session presided over by Legislative Council Deputy Speaker Ben Vincen Djeharu, the legislature also backed the rebel Papuan Presidium Council (PDP)'s opposition to the deployment of additional troops in the troubled province.

The meeting, also attended by PDP leader Welly Mandowin, recommended that the provincial administration protect indigenous residents from further attacks and violence.

The Presidium submitted the demands to the Legislative Council on Nov. 12, one day after Theys was found dead in his car. Theys had been reportedly kidnapped on his way home from attending a military function at a Kopassus (Army special forces) base in Jayapura on Nov. 11.

After three weeks of investigation, Theys' death remains a mystery and Theys' driver Aristoteles Masoka is still missing.

It was Aristoteles who called Theys' wife, reporting that a group of unknown people had attacked him and Theys minutes after they left the dinner party.

Suspicions have grown that Theys, the PDP chairman, was murdered by Indonesian troops or by rebels from a rival faction.

Welly said on Friday an independent team, which would comprise of local and foreign figures, was urgently needed to solve the incident and restore the Irian Jaya people's trust in the government, adding that investigators could comprise foreign parties.

He lauded the council's approval of the PDP's demands as a positive move in promoting democracy and human rights in Indonesia's easternmost province of Irian Jaya.

The government has said it had formed a joint team consisting of police and military officials to probe the death of Theys, known for his non-violent measures in achieving his goals.

The team has so far questioned a number of witnesses, and has claimed to have found clues to the murder.

Those summoned for questioning included the chief of Irian Jaya's military task force, Lt. Col. Hartomo, and seven of his subordinates, all from the Kopassus.

Sources in the Irian Jaya police said the probe into the Kopassus troops was crucial to confirming the testimonies of key witnesses.

Welly also said the PDP agreed not to stage a rally marking the anniversary of the Papuan (Irian Jaya) self-proclaimed independence on Dec. 1, but said his group would instead hold a solemn religious service to pray for Theys at his family's house.

"There will be no a special celebration because we are still mourning," he added.

Earlier, the government promised to form an independent team, whose members include police and military officers, to unravel They's alleged murder.

Religious leaders from Papua have also urged the National Commission on Human Rights, or the Komnas HAM, to launch an independent investigation into the killing.