Papuan leaders to meet Megawati

Papuan leaders to meet Megawati

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Non-governmental activists criticized the government for
arranging a trip to Jakarta for a group of 200 Papuan tribal
leaders, who will pay a courtesy call on President Megawati
Soekarnoputri during their visit.

The meeting between the tribal leaders, grouped under the
Lembah Baliem Foundation, and the President is scheduled to take
place on Friday.

Sabang Merauke Forum chairman Wolas Krenak and secretary-
general Frans Maniagasi claimed the trip was politically
motivated. They said it was taking place at a time when the
government was seeking support from Papuans for the law on
special autonomy for the province, and investigating the murder
of proindependence leader Theys Hiyo Eluay.

"Security and social conditions in Papua have been improving,
but a conflict could explode due to the political visit," Wolas
said as quoted by Antara.

Both Wolas and Frans said the government should halt its
practice of mobilizing people in order to win their support.

They also said the tribal leaders had broken with etiquette by
failing to inform the governor of Papua of the trip.

Meanwhile, the military police team tasked to investigate the
murder of Papuan leader Theys Hilo Eluay concluded their
investigation on Thursday, saying there was no further evidence
to probe.

Col. Sutarna, commander of the Military Police Command XVIII
Trikora, confirmed the stagnation of the investigation, and the
team returned to the capital.

"At the moment we're just waiting for new information. The
investigation could now be concluded as the excavation around the
Kopassus headquarters did not bring any result," Sutarna said
referring to the search for the Theys' missing driver, thought to
be a key witness, and last seen at the Kopassus headquarters.