Irian, PNG border obscure

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Residents of three villages bordering Irian Jaya and Papua New Guinea (PNG) have urged the two countries' governments to define the borderlines for their villages to prevent conflict.

Villagers of Skouw Yambe, Skouw Mabo and Skouw Sae of Muara Tami subdistrict in Irian Jaya claim to have inherited land in PNG territory, their representative, Ferdinand Mallo, said Saturday.

But people of nearby Papua New Guinean villages also claim to have rights over inherited land in Irian Jaya, Mallo was quoted by Antara as saying.

"It's because the people (of Irian Jaya and PNG) set the boundary by tradition and not by state convention," he said.

Therefore, to avoid future conflict both governments of the countries should set a boundary and make a treaty on it, he said.

Mallo conceded that the people of Wutung and Vanimo villages in PNG were afraid their border land would be used by the people of Skouw Sae, Skouw Mabo and Skouw Yambe villages.

He said Indonesia and PNG had discussed the boundaries in their annual border liaison meetings, but had not talked about land ownership. (aan)