Military cites one fight in Irian Jaya

Military cites one fight in Irian Jaya

JAKARTA (JP): The military authorities in Irian Jaya say there has been only one incident of exchange of fire with a local separatist group in which one rebel was killed.

Maj. Gen. I Ketut Wirdhana, the chief of the Trikora Command, said the incident happened last December in Tembagapura near the giant mining operations site of the American company, PT Freeport Indonesia.

The rebel was shot as he tried to get away after hoisting the flag of the Free Papua Organization (OPM) in the mining town, Wirdhana told the Antara news agency in Jayapura, the capital of Irian Jaya, on Thursday.

The military also arrested three people who were believed to have participated in the flag hoisting attempt, he said, adding that one of the three was an employee of Freeport.

Wirdhana, whose command covers Irian Jaya and Maluku, was commenting on reports originating from Australia that up to 37 people, including OPM rebels and civilians, have been killed in a series of incidents in Irian Jaya over the past year.

"It's not true that there have been mass arrests as the reports suggested," Wirdhana added.

The allegations of killings have prompted the Australian government to follow up the reports. Its ambassador to Indonesia is planning a trip to Irian Jaya later this month. (emb)