Governor ready for hostages

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Governor Fredy Numberi said on Tuesday he has been authorized by Minister of Home Affairs Syarwan Hamid to receive 11 Irianese currently held captive in Papua New Guinea (PNG) by a rebel group should the latter party release the hostages.

The Irianese gang abducted the 11 Arso villagers, mostly women, early this month, and is believed to be hiding in the neighboring country.

Papuan Prime Minister Bill Skate last week instructed the Papuan military to help secure their release.

Numberi said the Papuan government's effort to help release the hostages demonstrates the strengthening of the cooperation between PNG and Indonesia.

Asked where the hostages would be released, he said the Papuan government has not yet informed him of the matter.

"If they're not released at the border, they could be released in Vanimo, capital of Sandaun province," he was quoted by Antara as saying.