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.