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.