Tension rises in Jayapura over flag dispute
Tension rises in Jayapura over flag dispute
JAKARTA (JP): Tension heightened in the Irian Jaya capital of
Jayapura on Monday as proindependence leaders asserted their
refusal to lower the Morning Star separatist flag.
A meeting which was called by the provincial authorities on
Monday failed to persuade the proindependence activists grouped
in the Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) to comply with Jakarta's
ban against hoisting the flag.
PDP chief Theys Hiyo Eluay walked out of the gubernatorial
office, the venue of the meeting, in an apparent sign of protest.
"I'm ready to die in defense of the (Morning Star) flag. There
is no reason to lower it. If it is lowered, the (national) red-
and-white flag must be removed too," Theys told reporters before
heading for his room at Matoa Hotel on Jl. A. Yani in downtown
Jayapura.
In his absence, PDP secretary-general Thaha Al Hamid
represented the proindependence group as the meeting restarted.
Governor Musiran Darmosuwito, Trikora Military Commander Maj.
Gen. Albert Inkiriwang and Irian Jaya Police chief Brig. Gen.
S.Y. Wenas were all present.
Musiran threatened afterward to let the security authorities
cope with attempts to keep the separatist flag flying.
"We urged PDP members to comply with government's ruling that
all Morning Star flags must be lowered. If they are not, it is up
to the security authorities to take stern measures," Musiran told
a post-meeting conference.
The city was tense throughout the day. Streets were almost
deserted and most shops and business centers in Abepura and
Sentani districts remained closed due to fear of possible clashes
between proindependence activists and security personnel.
Thousands of terrified Sentani residents fled their homes and
sought shelter at the military compound of Infantry Battalion 751
Prajawirajakti, about 42 kilometers west of Jayapura.
"We are afraid of possible clashes between the Papuan Task
Force and security troops during the operation to lower the
Morning Star flag," a resident said.
Hundreds of PDP members were seen guarding Morning Star flags
hoisted in front of the Irian Jaya Art Council building on Jl.
Irian in Jayapura and at They's resident in Sentani.
Thaha told reporters after Monday's meeting that PDP would
announce its official stance on Tuesday.
"We will offer three options: first, let PDP and Papuan Task
Force members lower the flags themselves; second, remove both
Morning Star and national flags altogether; or leave the matter
to the security authorities," Thaha said.
Thaha said PDP would consult Theys as the presidium's chief on
the issue.
Theys, who was elected provincial legislator representing
Golkar three times in 1971/1977, 1977/1982 and 1987/1992, was
appointed PDP chief in the first Papuan People's Congress in
February last year.
Since July 1998, he had been actively involved in the
formation of PDP, an organization originally aimed at bridging
differences in opinion between the Irianese and the central
government. PDP, however, altered its course and turned to
promote independence.
In Yogyakarta, some 29 Irianese representing 2,800 Papuans
living here met with Governor Hamengubuwono X in the Kepatihan
gubernatorial office to demand security assurances following an
incident on Oct. 9 in which a band of unidentified men attacked
an Irianese boarding house on Jl. Trikora.
"We also received threats by anonymous callers. If there's no
(security) guarantee, we will leave Yogyakarta," Safar Mudatsir
Furuada, one of the protesters, said.
In Jakarta, some 200 Irianese grouped in the Papuan
Communication Forum rallied at National Police Headquarters,
demanding National Police chief Gen. Surojo Bimantoro be held
responsible for the bloody incident in Wamena last week.
Bimantoro told the protesters the police had taken the
persuasive approach with PDP by asking its people not to hoist
the flag but no response had been received. (01/34/swa/edt)