Remissions for 12 tribal chiefs

WAMENA, Irian Jaya: Twelve tribal chiefs of the Baliem valley in the Jayawijaya regency will receive remissions in honor of Indonesia's 50th anniversary, head of the Wamena Correctional Institution Budirahardjo said over the weekend.

"The 12 tribal chiefs, who were involved in 1989's inter- tribal war, were given remissions because of their good conduct," Budirahardjo was quoted by Antara as saying.

He said the 12 tribal chiefs, most of them over 50 years old, have lived in peace in the correctional institution, despite their past hostilities. One of them, Heyet Wuka, will be conditionally freed on Aug. 17, he added.

There were 13 tribal chiefs involved in the war. One of them has died in the Kalisosok prison in Surabaya, East Java. The remaining 12 chiefs were recently transferred to Wamena.(imn)