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.