Govt turns down PT Freeport closure demands

Govt turns down PT Freeport closure demands

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of National Development Planning
Ginandjar Kartasasmita rejected yesterday petitions by some Irian
Jaya tribal chiefs that the PT Freeport Indonesia mining
operation be closed down.

Ginandjar did admit, however, that Freeport, an American
mining company, has contributed to economic disparity in Irian
Jaya.

"It's impossible to close Freeport because there is strong
reasons it is operating there. Then there are also various laws,"
he said after meeting with 22 tribal leaders from Irian Jaya.

Ginandjar said socioeconomic disparity and cultural friction
were two fundamental problems in the province.

"The local people see that Freeport has been there for 23
years, and they have long been freed from the shackles of
colonization, but why are they still behind other areas of
Indonesia," he said.

"I believe these concerns have substance and should be paid
attention to," he said.

Freeport operates one of the world's largest copper and gold
mines. The mine is located in Tembagapura, Irian jaya.

The local people's dissatisfaction with Freeport erupted last
week when thousands of Irianese attacked some of the mines
facilities in Tembagapura.

The 22 tribal chiefs from the Tembagapura, Mimika and Timika
districts came to Jakarta yesterday to talk with government
officials. The meeting was the initiative of Brig. Gen. Prabowo
Subianto, the chief of the Army's special forces which helped
restore calm after last week's unrest.

Apart from Ginandjar and Prabowo, Minister of Manpower Abdul
Latief also attended the meeting.

Autonomy

Hidelis Sangkonao, chief of the Amungme tribe, charged that
Freeport's activities had contributed little to the welfare and
prosperity of the locals.

"Freeport has been there for 23 years, but the native people
are still poor. Freeport's presence has caused us to lose our
hunting ground where we searched for food," Hidelis contended.

Kamoro tribal chief, A. Mameyao, called for the Mimika area,
with a population of 70,000, to be transformed into an autonomous
regency. He argued that it would help intensify development.

Mimika is currently part of the Fakfak regency administration
which oversees Freeport's operation.

The new regency, Kamoro said, could be funded by the Rp 4.5
billion in royalties Freeport pays to the Fakfak regency
administration each year.

In his written statement, the Kamoro tribe leader called for
the formation of a security force comprised of an infantry
battalion, a special forces company, and a company from a mobile
infantry brigade.

He also asked Freeport to provide more jobs to Kamoro and
Amungme tribespeople.

Ginandjar said their complaints and demands would be
considered by the appropriate government agencies.

Prabowo said the aim of the talks was to allow the
representatives of the various tribes to express their
grievances. "So they won't feel their calls are falling on deaf
ears and be easily manipulated by other political agitators who
could turn them into a more extreme direction," said Prabowo, who
is President Soeharto's son-in-law.

In Irian Jaya, the chief of the Manokwari military command,
Col. Frans de Wanna, yesterday rejected demands for Freeport's
closure.

Frans said the idea was ludicrous and would harm the national
development process, Antara reported.

He supported the claims that Freeport's security officers'
treatment of local residents was often inhuman and disrespectful.

Frans said the company favored promoting foreigners over
Indonesians or Irianese employees. (mds)