ICRC steps up probe into Irian Jaya case

ICRC steps up probe into Irian Jaya case

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The Geneva-based International Committee
of the Red Cross (ICRC) has stepped up its probe into the alleged
involvement of the ICRC in the 1996 massacre in Mapnduma, Jaya
Wijaya regency.

Bernard Barret, of the Jakarta ICRC office, told The Jakarta
Post in Jayapura on Tuesday that Swiss Pierre Obuchowicz has been
hired by the ICRC Assembly Council, the highest body of the ICRC,
to conduct a plenary analysis of the alleged involvement of the
ICRC during military operations three years ago to release
hostages abducted by the Free Papua Movement (OPM), led by Kelly
Kwalik and Danies Yudas Kogeya.

Investigations conducted by the Jayapura Institution of Human
Rights Studies and Advocacy (IHRSTAD), the Roman Catholic Church
of Jayapura Diocese, the Evangelical Christian Church Synod and
the Indonesian Bible Camp Church indicated that Sylviane Bonadei,
a staff member of the ICRC, was involved in the military
operation initiated by the Indonesian Army's Special Force
Command (Kopassus).

"He (Obuchowicz) was chosen because he is considered capable
in this matter, as he knows much about ICRC but does not work for
ICRC," Bernard said.

Obuchowicz, who has been in Jayapura since Monday, is
scheduled to leave for Timika on Thursday. (eba)