OPM supporters greet Megawati in Jayawijaya

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): About 10,000 supporters of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) thronged Wamena Airport in Jayawijaya regency, Irian Jaya, shortly before Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri's departure to Jayapura on Friday afternoon.

Many waved the OPM morning star flag and raised proindependence banners, demanding a dialog with the Vice President.

"Welcome, Mother of West Papua Liberation in Baliem Valley", and "Mbak (Mrs.) Mega, return the political rights of the Papua nation", read the banners.

It was Megawati's father, Sukarno, Indonesia's first president, who led the country in freeing the territory from the Dutch on May 1, 1963.

Sukarno named the province West Irian. Ten years later his successor, Soeharto, renamed it Irian Jaya. And now, President Abdurrahman Wahid, during a visit to Jayapura at the New Year, decided to call it Papua as demanded by locals.

Security and police forces apparently were not anticipating such a large turnout. Only 17 military and 30 police personnel were employed to safeguard the airport.

Reverend Obet Komba told the Vice President that the huge gathering was evidence that demands for independence were not just the aspirations of a few as often claimed by the government.

Komba urged the central government to pave the way for Papua's independence from Indonesia.

"We want to win our independence through dialog, not through destructive ways," Komba said.

Komba also told the Vice President that Papuan people would hold the Papua People's Congress in Jayapura from May 29 to June 3. He expressed hope that the congress would be used as a forum between the central government and OPM.

Megawati, who arrived in the regency from Merauke on Friday morning, delivered her speech from the back of an open pickup.

In her remarks she avoided touching on the independence issue. She just asked the people to live in peace.

She said she decided to visit the province for the second time after her election as vice president in October because she wanted to know more about people's living conditions there.

"I come here to see your real situation," she said, as quoted by Antara.

Megawati's reluctance to respond to their demand to separate from Indonesia apparently upset several protesters.

Soon after her departure several protesters ran amok. They ransacked the official residence of Regent David Antonius Hubi.

After a brief visit in Jayapura, the Vice President and her entourage continued their trip to Sentani regency. Megawati did not hold a public forum there.

During her visit to Irian Jaya she is scheduled to visit 11 regencies.

Separately, Irian Jaya Police Chief Brig. Gen. S.Y. Wenas assured on Friday that police would fully guard the planned Papua's People Congress.

He said police fully supported President Abdurrahman Wahid's decision to allow the people to organize the congress.

"They do not even need a permit from police, because this congress is a forum for the people to convey their aspirations," said Wenas.

Wenas expressed his hope that the congress would proceed peacefully. (eba/prb)