Search for missing Belgians continues

Search for missing Belgians continues

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): One week after they were reported
missing, there still remains no clue as to the whereabouts or
fate of two missing Belgian filmmakers in the Irian Jaya
hinterland.

Irian Jaya Police spokesman Comr. Zulkifli A.R., told The
Jakarta Post on Friday that police are continuing their search
and have also formed a team to handle the case.

The two Belgians -- identified as Johan Elia Theo van Dem
Eynde, 47, and Philippe R.D. Simon, 49, went missing while
conducting research in Illaga district, Puncak Jaya regency.

Zulkifli declined to confirm speculation that the two had been
kidnapped by separatist groups hiding in the remote Jayawijaya
jungle.

However he conceded that their disappearance might be the
result of an abduction.

"They could have been taken hostage (by the separatist group)
or could just be lost in the forest, or they may have joined
other tourists and left Irian Jaya," Zulkifli remarked.

Head of the police search team, Sr. Insp. Soma Kubun, who is
also deputy chief of Jayawijaya police, said on Friday there had
been no new developments in the search.

According to Soma, the two Belgians were last seen leaving
Paniai police station where they asked for permission to go to
Paluga village, some two or three days' walk from Paniai
district.

"They were offered a guide and security guards, but they
turned down the offer, saying they had been there before and
there was nothing to worry about," Soma said.

Sources in Irian Jaya Police said a letter signed by a man
named Peni Murif, the self-proclaimed leader of a separatist
group, had been received at police headquarters here, taking
responsibility for kidnapping the two Belgians.

The letter demanded authorities allow the hoisting of the
banned separatist Morning Star flag atop Jayawijaya mountain.

"If the demand is not met, the hostages will be shot dead,"
the source said, quoting the letter.

No deadline had been given.

But the source claimed that police doubted the validity of the
letter.

In Brussels a spokesman for the Belgian foreign ministry, Koen
Vervaeke, was quoted by AFP as saying that Indonesian authorities
had confirmed that the Free Papua Movement rebels kidnapped the
two. (34/emf)