Irian rebels receiving foreign aid

Irian rebels receiving foreign aid

JAKARTA (JP): An Irian Jaya separatist movement has been receiving foreign assistance from groups in the Netherlands and Sweden, a local military leader said yesterday.

Maj. Gen. Ketut Wirdhana, chief of the Trikora Military Command, which is responsible for Irian Jaya, said he believed that the rebel group has "special channels" for receiving financial assistance from foreign organizations, Antara reported.

He was apparently referring to the Free Papua Movement (OPM) which has been waging a guerrilla war from within Irian Jaya's jungles.

Wirdhana said that the strength of the rebel group had declined over the years, however, and that it no longer posed any serious security threat.

He said the authorities' offer of an amnesty for the rebels still stand. Those who surrender will be treated well, he added.

Wirdhana also announced the return from the jungle of some 213 people from Tsinga village in Fakfak regency. The villagers had earlier fled their homes after their village was attacked by members of the rebel group.

The villagers will be resettled elsewhere because the rebels burned down their homes, he said. (emb)