Non-military action preferred on hostage case
Non-military action preferred on hostage case
JAYAPURA (JP): Army deputy chief Lt. Gen. Kiki Syahnakri and
Deputy chief of Irian Jaya police Brig. Gen. Moersoedidarno
Moerhadi said in separate interviews on Monday that military
action would be the last resort to free the 16 people taken
hostage by a separatist group in Merauke, Irian Jaya.
Kiki told reporters after overseeing the ceremony of the
installment of Maj. Gen. Mahidin Simbolon as Irian Jaya's new
Trikora Military chief, replacing the late Maj. Gen. Tonny A.
Rompis, that negotiation was still possible with the separatist
rebels, who abducted them. "Therefore, non-military efforts were
preferable."
He said that military action would become the last step to
free the hostages. "We have yet to receive the police's request
to help free the hostages."
Deputy chief of Irian Jaya Police Brig. Gen. Moersoedidarno
Moerhadi shared his opinion, saying that negotiations continued
as police saw that 'talks' with the abductors were likely to
work.
"The hostages are still in Irian Jaya and in good condition.
We have just sent them rice (given by PT Korindo)," he said,
hinting that the police had a special contact person in the group
(abductors).
The abduction of 16 officials and employees of a South Korean
joint company PT Korindo were kidnapped in the district of Asiki,
Merauke, last Tuesday by members of the Papua Liberation National
Army (TPN) led by Willem Onde. The abductors have demanded US$1
million in compensation for environmental damage, the withdrawal
of the police's mobile brigade troops from the district of Asiki,
and a total halt to logging.
Asiki district is about 12 hours drive from Merauke town,
which is located about 900 kilometers south of the capital,
Jayapura.
Two days later five more people, including two more Korean
nationals Lee Hoon, an executive director of PT Korindo, and Lee
Jongmy, a manager of the firm's palm oil plantation in the
region, were taken hostage by the same group when they were
trying to negotiate the release of the eleven.
In another interview, Irian Jaya Police chief of Operation and
Control Sr. Comr. Kusnadi revealed that Willem Onde sent a letter
to local authorities in Merauke, saying that the hostages would
be freed as long as the military/police did not undertake any
armed operation to release them.
"All officials will meet tomorrow (Tuesday) to decide further
steps over this abduction case. The note shows that he (Willem)
is willing to negotiate and therefore I think it's better to be
patient and avoid casualties. Rescue (military) operations are
usually fast but it is also a risky option for the hostages,"
Kusnadi told The Jakarta Post by phone.
The officer further said that the abductor's action was rather
more economically motivated than political.
"Personally, I think Willem Onde is not a terrorist. He is
asking only for simple things such as money, not the release of
(proindependence leader) Theys Hiyo Eluay," he said. (35/edt/sur)