OPM supporters greet Megawati in Jayawijaya

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)