Irian Jaya rebels 'only' have 77 guns

Irian Jaya rebels 'only' have 77 guns

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Guerrilla fighters opposing the
Indonesian government in Irian Jaya's jungles only possess 77
guns, with an estimated 150 personnel, a military official said
here on Thursday.

Trikora Regional Commander Maj. Gen. Amir Sembiring said the
Indonesian Military (TNI) could easily eradicate the "security
disturbance movements" due to the group's limited number of
ammunition and personnel.

"But that won't be the proper way to solve the problem,"
Sembiring said.

He said TNI would continue to adopt a persuasive approach with
the rebels -- who are mostly armed with traditional arrows,
spears and machetes -- with a top priority "to lead them back to
their respective hometowns to build their areas".

Most of the rebels were not in the jungles, but at their
headquarters in the Bewani valley, Sembiring said.

Antara reported that the rebels were involved in a series of
crimes, including killings, robberies and abductions, against
local civilians on the Indonesian-Papua New Guinea border.

Two weeks ago it was reported that the rebels murdered four
Arso plantation workers and kidnapped at least 11 people,
including seven women.

The fate of the 11 people abducted by the group is yet to be
resolved, but local authorities believe the victims have been
hidden by the rebels in the Bewane valley.