Monument covered in protest

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)