Report on Theys' death expected next week

Report on Theys' death expected next week

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The National Investigation Commission (KPN) in charge of
investigating the killing of Papuan independence leader Theys H.
Eluway is expected to give a comprehensive report to the
government next week, an official said.

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Sunday he would arrange a
meeting with Koesparmono Irsan, chairman of the inquiry
commission.

"The meeting is being arranged. Please note that I avoid
having too many meetings (with the commission) to avoid any
speculation of the government's intervention into the
investigation," Susilo announced to the media after witnessing
the departure of President Megawati Soekarnoputri to China at
Halim Perdanakusuma Airbase in East Jakarta.

Susilo emphasized the government would fully accept the
commission's findings on Theys' murder.

There had been speculation that members of the Army's special
force (Kopassus) were involved in the killing.

Theys was found dead in his car on Nov. 11 last year at Muara
Tami, a district west of Jayapura.

He had reportedly been kidnapped by a group of people on his
way home to Sentani, after attending a dinner at an Army base in
Jayapura. The dinner was held to commemorate National Heroes Day.

The murder was widely condemned, though Theys -- in his
capacity as the chairman of the proindependence Papuan Presidium
Council (PDP) -- had been accused of provoking Papuans to secede
from Indonesia.

Theys' death revived tensions in the country's easternmost
province, despite the government's efforts to accommodate the
aspirations of the people of Irian Jaya (who prefer to call
themselves Papuans) through the Special Autonomy Law.

The PDP strongly rejected the Special Autonomy Law on Irian
Jaya, which it said was not the best way to settle ongoing
disputes in the province.

The call for independence among Papuans had been gaining
strength during the New Order regime, when the military acted
oppressively toward the local people.

Koesparmono, meanwhile, said that the 11-strong commission,
officially established on Feb. 5, aimed to complete its
investigation reports no later than May.

"KPN has finished its investigation and has reported to the
State Secretariat. Hopefully, we can complete it in the middle of
April and will report to President Megawati Soekarnoputri on May
21," Koesparmono said earlier.