Megawati delayed Irian jaya trip

Tiarma Siboro and Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Megawati Soekarnoputri postponed indefinitely on Thursday her visit to the restive province of Irian Jaya, pending the implementation of central government policies there, including the establishment of an independent team to investigate the mysterious death of prominent independence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told the press here on Thursday that the delay had nothing to do with the worsening security condition in the province but was "due to heightened political tension there following mounting rejection of the implementation of special autonomy status and the demand for a thorough investigation into Theys' death.

"The Indonesian Military chief (Adm. Widodo A.S.) and the National Police chief (Gen. Da'i Bachtiar) have told the President that the security situation remains calm in Irian Jaya. But the President believes that the most important thing for the central government is to carry out its commitments to Irian Jaya," Susilo said after a meeting with Megawati at her residence on Jl. Teuku Umar.

Prior to the meeting, Susilo held a meeting with related ministers at his office.

Megawati initially planned to visit Irian Jaya on Saturday to attend Christmas celebrations and hand over officially the special autonomy law. According to Susilo, the visit was in response to an invitation from Irian Jaya governor Jaap Salosa and other local officials.

"We (the government) are committed to promoting special autonomy status for the province and establishing an independent team to investigate the death of Pak Theys. We are going to carry these out in the very near future," Susilo asserted.

Meanwhile, Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra said that ministers under Susilo's coordination had proposed several dates for Megawati to visit Papua.

"We proposed several points for consideration and dates for Ibu to visit Papua," he said, adding that the dates mooted included Dec. 25, 26 and 27.

"The President said she would consider the options and decide the matter soon, looking at the situation in the province. We will determine the schedule together," he added.