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)