Sixteen Irian rebels surrender

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Sixteen separatist rebels came out of their jungle hideout last week to surrender to the Army in Mindiptana, which borders Papua New Guinea, the military announced yesterday.

They surrendered their guns to an infantry post in Mindiptana, regional military spokesman Lt. Col. Maulud Hidayat told Antara.

The military said the rebels had surrendered after seeing the results of development in their villages, which they had left many years ago.

On May 21, 56 Free Papua Movement rebels under Willem Onde surrendered to the military in the same area. They surrendered 46 rifles.

Hidayat said the authorities expected more rebels to surrender. (pan)