Papuans ask why Mega canceled trip

Papuans ask why Mega canceled trip

Papuan (Irian Jaya) leaders have begun to question President
Megawati's decision to cancel a trip to the eastern-most
province, which was initially scheduled for Dec. 23.

J.I. Renyaan, deputy mayor of Jayapura said on Thursday that
he was overwhelmed by enquiries on the matter.

"The President had promised to attend Christmas celebrations
and to present the law on autonomy on Papua, which she has
already enacted. We don't understand why she canceled the plan,"
he said.

Until Megawati canceled her planned visit, Jayapura had spent
a lot of money beautifying the place. City residents were
generally disappointed by the President's canceled trip.

"The President should explain to us why she dropped the plan,"
he said.

When announcing the cancellation of the plan, Megawati's aides
in Jakarta did not clearly explain why. Her private doctors said
she had a flu.--Antara