PNG defense chief visits Irian Jaya

JAYAPURA: Papua New Guinea armed forces commander Brig. Gen. Jerry Singgirok and his seven-member entourage arrived on Friday afternoon at the small village of Wutung on the Indonesia-PNG border for a three-day visit here.

Wutung village, which is under Papua New Guinea administration, is located next to the Skouw area of Jayapura regency on the Indonesian side.

The visiting military group, flanked by Indonesia's defense attache at Port Moresby Col. Efy Butar-butar and consul Markus Budi of Vanimo, arrived at Wutung at 3:30 p.m. by car from Vanimo.

The group was greeted by 8th Trikora regional military commander Maj. Gen. Amir Sembiring and 5th Jayapura Naval Base commander Commodore Franky Kayhatu at the border.

Singgirok and his entourage was then flown by an Indonesian Air Force helicopter to Jayapura.

Trikora spokesperson Capt. Edi Sulistiadjie said the PNG armed forces chief would visit the Arso plantation field where rebels recently killed four civilians and injured at least three others. (34/bsr)