Monument covered in protest

MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: Thousands of people expressed their feelings toward the government by covering the historic Act of Free Choice monument, built 31 years ago, with a piece of black cloth.

The disgruntled locals said the two-meter monument standing at the Bay of Doreri reflected legal and moral defects in the history of Irian Jaya.

The Irianese also said the monument, built to commemorate the integration of Irian Jaya into Indonesia, contained historic deception.

The United Nations handed over Irian Barat, the former name of Irian Jaya, to the government of Indonesia on May 1, 1963 from the Dutch government, which had ruled it for decades.

Barnabas Mandacaan, who led the rally, said the transfer of power proved that Indonesia, in support of the Netherlands, the United States and the United Nations, had robbed the Irianese of their independence.

During the ceremony, the national red and white flag was hoisted along with the Papuan Morning Star flag. (34/sur)