PNG defense chief visits Irian Jaya

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)