Military apologizes for 'errors'

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Chief of the local Cendrawasih Regional Military Command Maj. Gen. Dunidja apologized for the various "errors" that his personnel have made in carrying out their orders.

Dunidja did not specify what "errors" his soldiers made, but promised he would punish any soldier that breached the law.

The Armed Forces has been implicated in a series of shootings in Timika, in which more than a dozen villagers singled out as security threats were killed. The military is conducting its own investigation of the incident.

To celebrate the Armed Forces' 50th anniversary, Dunidja introduced Rear Admiral Fredy Numberi, the first Irian native to reach the rank, Antara reported. (pan)