Papuans hold peace rite to end division clashes
Papuans hold peace rite to end division clashes
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Supporters and opponents of the creation of Central Irian Jaya
province barbecued two pigs in a traditional ceremony on Thursday
in the town of Timika, Papua province, to mark a peace agreement
among them.
The solemn event, held at around 4:15 p.m., was witnessed by
Papua Governor Jaap Salossa, Trikora Military Commander Brig.
Gen. Nurdin Zainal and Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Budi Utomo,
Antara reported from Timika, the capital of Mimika regency.
Also present were Mimika Regent Klemens Tinal and the Mimika
Police chief, as well as other senior local officials.
The government-brokered peace deal is aimed at ending the
conflict over the establishment of Central Irian Jaya province,
which erupted into violence that killed at least five people last
month.
Salossa was quoted as saying during the ceremony that he was
happy with the peace deal between those for and against the
division of Papua.
The governor, who is a staunch opponent of the split, urged
the central government to support the peace agreement in order to
help stop the fighting among indigenous Papuans.
Central Irian Jaya was officially proclaimed a province by
local government officials on Aug. 23 in a move sanctioned by the
central government.
Despite the deadly clashes, Minister of Home Affairs Hari
Sabarno has said the government will press ahead with the
division of Papua into three provinces -- Papua, Central Irian
Jaya and West Irian Jaya.
He claimed the purpose of dividing Papua was to improve
administration in the mountainous 411,000-square-kilometer
territory, which has a population of more than two million.
Critics say the move is, however, a divide and rule ploy
designed to stymie support for Papuan independence.
Timika is home to the giant gold and copper mine operated by
U.S. firm Freeport McMoRan.
Indonesia has faced a sporadic low-level armed separatist
revolt, along with peaceful pressure for independence, since it
took control of Papua in 1963 from the Dutch.