Irianese hostages back in Jayapura

JAKARTA (JP): Eleven Irian hostages were flown back to Jayapura on Wednesday after being held hostage at a rebel hideout in Bewani district, Sandaun province, Papua New Guinea, for nearly a month.

The 11 hostages, seven of them women, were brought from Vanimo, the capital of Sandaun province, by Indonesian Military (TNI) chopper to the Trikora Military Command Headquarters, Antara reported.

The hostages were accompanied by PNG Armed Forces Commander Brig. Gen. Jerry Singirok and Indonesian Ambassador to PNG Benny Mandalika.

They were greeted by family members and Irian Jaya Governor Freddy Numberi, Trikora Military Commander Maj. Gen. Amir Sembiring and provincial administration officials.

After attending a brief ceremony led by the governor and the Trikora military commander, the hostages were admitted to Marthen Indey Military Hospital in Jayapura.

No detailed information on the hostages' condition was available, but they were reportedly in good health.

Meanwhile, Budi Susanto, an Indonesian consul in Vanimo, said in Jayapura on Wednesday the Papua New Guinea military had no difficulty securing the release of the hostages.

They were abandoned by the rebels, led by Hans Bomay, as the soldiers attempted to release them, he said.

"The hostages were released at about 10:30 a.m. on Monday without any major resistance," he said.

The PNG military operation, which was led by Gen. Jerry Singirok, managed to free the hostages after Bomay reneged on a promise to release them on May 28.

Approximately 30 separatist rebels attacked a transmigration settlement in Moor village in Arso district in early May, killing four residents, injuring four others and kidnapping the 11 people.

The four killed were employees of the Arso oil palm plantation. (asa)