State facilities for Papuans

State facilities for Papuans

MADANG, Irian Jaya: The Merauke regency office says all public
facilities available in the area can be used by citizens of Papua
New Guinea living close to the border, Antara said.

These facilities include primary and senior high schools,
health centers, markets and public transportation, said head of
the Merauke sociopolitical office Alex Sayono.

The offer applies to Papuans from the Western province, he
said after attending the regular Border Liaison Meeting between
Indonesian and PNG officials.

The Indonesian and PNG governments have issued special
traveling passes for people who live on or close to the border
between Indonesia's Irian Jaya province and Papua New Guinea.

Alex said that the Irian Jaya administration is currently
building an international school in Sota, Merauke, about 70
kilometers from the Papuan border, which will also be opened to
children from Papua New Guinea.

The meeting also agreed to open a shipping service linking
Merauke and Bensbach in the Western province of Papua New Guinea,
Antara said. (emb)