Irian, PNG border obscure

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)