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)