Govt says Irianese students safe

Govt says Irianese students safe

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Governor HZB Palaguna promised
on Wednesday that indigenous Irianese students studying here
would be safe and played down fears that the religious conflict
in Ambon would spill over into the province.

"I have ordered the police chief to anticipate infiltration by
provocateurs who intend to sow hatred among different religious
and ethnic groups," Palaguna said.

He was commenting on security worries recently filed by
Irianese students. Many of them have returned home.

In Jayapura, Irian Jaya, a spokesman for an Irianese student
group here, Johanes Kareth, had told a hearing attended by
military officers, local figures and fellow students that all
students would leave the capital by March 28.

"We feel unsafe and cannot focus on our studies," Johanes
said, adding that two groups of Irianese students had already
left Ujungpandang.

Johanes said tension here was the result of a spillover from
religious clashes in neighboring Maluku.

Idris said Irian Jaya and South Sulawesi security authorities
had taken measures to quell hostility between groups.

Deputy Governor Ataturi disapproved of the planned exodus, but
extended a security guarantee to the students. (27/34)