OPM members reject autonomy

OPM members reject autonomy

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Members of the Reconciliation Forum of
Former Free Papua Organization (OPM) have written President
Abdurrahman Wahid expressing their rejection of his offer of
autonomy for the easternmost province of West Papua, formerly
known as Irian Jaya.

In the letter dated April 3, the forum members, who are former
political prisoners, said the Indonesian government's offer of
wide ranging autonomy to West Papua would just lead to further
murder, rape and oppression as committed by the old regime.

The letter, signed by 15 OPM political prisoners, also said
they had been fighting for years for an independent state of West
Papua, not just a wide ranging autonomy. "Therefore we strongly
reject the offer," the letter read.

They also urged the President to have the newly deployed
troops in Papua withdrawn. (eba)