Irianese push for independence

Irianese push for independence

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: The head of a team of community leaders
here, known as Team 100, said the group had submitted a formal
report to President B.J. Habibie on considerations for the
province to gain independence.

Team leader Tom Beanal said here on Friday that the report was
submitted on Aug. 13 through the presidential secretary in
Jakarta.

The group, he said, was now awaiting a response from the
president.

The report was drafted following a discussion between Habibie
and 100 Irian Jaya representatives on Feb. 26 at the State Palace
in Jakarta.

According to Beanal, who is an Amungme tribal leader, most of
the Team 100 members urged Habibie to give Indonesia's
easternmost province independence. However, efforts to gain
independence should be done through peaceful means without
bloodshed, he added. (34)