House speaker rules out independence for Irian Jaya

JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung ruled out on Monday independence for Irian Jaya, dealing a blow to separatist rebel leader Willem Onde during his visit here.

Akbar suggested that Onde and the people in the province draft a bill on special autonomy for their natural resource-rich territory.

"I invite all parties in Irian Jaya to deliberate the form of special autonomy in the province. I promise we will take the aspirations of the people more into account than those of the government," Akbar told Onde during a meeting. The separatist leader was accompanied by Irian Jaya provincial administration officials and community leaders.

Akbar underlined the House's position that Irian Jaya is and will remain a part of Indonesia. "Our political stance is clear; we will maintain Indonesia's unity, so contribute your ideas for the plan to grant Irian Jaya special autonomy."

Onde came to the House to deliver the demand for the province's independence, and to ask for the House's stance on the issue.

The government arranged a series of meetings between Onde and top state officials, including President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, after his separatist group abducted 16 employees of South Korean-owned plywood firm Korindo, which is based in Asiki district, some 360 kilometers from Merauke, the country's easternmost town.

Thirteen of the hostages were released on Jan. 28 following negotiations with the rebels at their camp. The remaining three were freed a week later.

No ransom was paid for the release of the hostages despite the rebels' demand for US$1 million and logging in the area to be stopped. The government has guaranteed Onde's security during his visit to the capital.

Both Abdurrahman and Megawati have ruled out independence for Irian Jaya, also known as Papua.

Onde said on Monday more abductions would take place because "our aspirations have gone unheeded".

He insisted he was not leading a separatist movement, saying that Irian Jaya was a sovereign territory. He added that Jakarta should make clear the political status of the province.

Onde said during his meeting with Akbar the people of Papua also were demanding the government retract the shoot-on-sight order in the region and the release of all political prisoners from the territory.

Akbar said the people of Irian Jaya, as well as other Indonesians, were allowed to submit suggestions to the House, including changing the name of a province and creating new holidays.

"But you cannot remove the national flag because we consider the region part of Indonesia, just like the rest of the country.

"On your demand for security guarantees and the release of political prisoners, we will convey the messages to the government," he said.(dja)