Police question tribal leader

Police question tribal leader

MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: Amungme tribal leader Tom Beanal has
been questioned about the Aug. 14 kidnapping of employees of a
logging company, PT Kamundan Raya, in Timika subdistrict.

Beanal, an activist of the Indonesian Environmental Forum, is
suspected of masterminding the kidnapping, said Col. Frans Willem
de Wanna of the local military command.

De Wanna was quoted by Antara yesterday as saying that Beanal
ordered separatist rebels under Thadius Yogi to loot the
company's base camp and abduct the employees.

"We strongly believe he arranged the kidnapping," said De
Wanna, who heads a team of soldiers in charge of tracking down
the kidnappers. Nine of the 12 captives have been rescued.

Beanal has denied knowing anything about the kidnapping. He
said he first heard of the incident from Radio Australia. (pan)