RI, PNG move against rebels

RI, PNG move against rebels

MERAUKE, Irian Jaya: About 200 residents of the Ikcan Baru
village in Waroko districts are reportedly being held hostage by
members of the Free Papua Organization separatists.

The Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI) and the Papua New Guinean
Army have reportedly "coordinated" in dealing with the crisis
which has left one person, a public works employee, dead earlier
this month.

The body of Panudjianto was found on Sunday; he was shot by
rebels on Nov. 14 following a clash with troops, the Antara news
agency reported.

"We are continuing our efforts to free the villagers," ABRI
spokesman Brig. Gen. Suwarno Adiwijoyo told the news agency on
Tuesday. "The greatest obstacle we have been facing is the
difficult terrain."

Suwarno said that headquarters has yet to obtain accurate data
on the number of hostages; he said official reports so far put
the figure at 30, rather than the 200 reported by various mass
media.

The separatist attacked the Ikcan village, 520 kilometers from
Merauke city, on Nov. 9 and tried to drive the villagers to the
border with Papua New Guinea. The village is currently deserted,
while the rebels are reportedly hiding in the forests with their
hostages, Antara reported.

Irian Jaya shares a 800-kilometer (500 mile) border with Papua
New Guinea. (swe)