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)