Kostrad troops arrive in Irian

Kostrad troops arrive in Irian

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Irianese were called upon on Friday not
to worry and be afraid of the arrival of 450 Army Strategic
Reserves Command (Kostrad) troops.

Local military commander Lt. Col. Susanto said the troops were
brought in not to search for members of the Free Papua Movement
(OPM) separatist group but to help local people carry out
development programs.

The Kostrad soldiers, who were based in Tanggul district, East
Java, will replace their colleagues who will return to their base
in Kariango district in South Sulawesi after 13 months of
service.

A local farmer in Nabire regency, Kobogau, expressed his
suspicions to The Jakarta Post on Friday that the troops were
intended to anticipate the Papuan Congress to be held in April.

"Our experience clearly shows that the presence of military
members or the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) police results in human
right violations," Kobogau said. (08/eba)