ICRC quits mediatory role in hostage saga

JAKARTA (JP): The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) abandoned its role as a neutral intermediary after a final attempt yesterday failed to secure the release of 11 people held hostage for over four months by Irian Jaya rebels.

The Geneva-based organization announced that it will limit its role to providing humanitarian aid to the hostages held by Free Papua Movement (OPM) rebels.

"The ICRC will stay on in Irian Jaya to provide medical assistance to the hostages -- five Indonesians, four Britons and two Dutch nationals -- and will remain at the party's disposal," it said.

The organization reiterated its call for the unconditional release of the hostages.

Antara reported yesterday that in its last attempt, an ICRC team returned to the jungle in Timika district on an Airfast helicopter because the rebels had broken a promise to free the hostages on Wednesday.

Quoting an unnamed source, Antara said the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) was hopeful the ICRC delegates, Silvianne and Dr. Meyer, would bring back "one or all of the hostages" yesterday.

On Wednesday, ABRI and ICRC officials brought in seven helicopters to Mapnduma village to pick up the hostages, but returned empty handed after the rebel leaders Kwalik and Kogoya reneged on their commitment to have the hostages released.

The OPM rebels demand that the Indonesian government recognize their cause before they free the hostages. Jakarta has flatly rejected the demand but has maintained a persuasive approach to try to get the captives released unharmed.

Meanwhile, secretary of the internal security agency (Bakorstanas) Lt. Gen. Soeyono suggested Wednesday that ABRI's patience is wearing thin.

He said ABRI will do things "its own way" to release the hostages. He added that the problem has been prolonged and politicized in order to discredit the Armed Forces.

"ABRI has provided ample opportunity and has assisted an international organization in playing a mediatory role, but the results are not convincing," Soeyono said.

Soeyono, who is also chief of ABRI's general affairs department, said the Armed Forces has toiled "extra hard" to get the prisoners released.

"Therefore it's high time ABRI used its own way and faced any consequences in order to end the hostage drama," he said.

Antara reported that some government officials believe that ICRC has its own political motives behind the efforts to help end the hostage saga.

Quoting an unnamed source, the news agency said the Geneva- based organization is trying hard to succeed so that it can chalk up a major achievement for its anniversary that falls on Aug. 1.

"There is an indication that ICRC wants to emerge as a hero although they know very well that they can only play their role because of ABRI's consent and assistance," the source said.

On Wednesday, Kwalik and Kogoya reportedly asked for a pig to be slaughtered for a farewell party with the hostages. (pan)