VP opens church congress

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Vice President Try Sutrisno arrived here to open the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) congress last night.

Try, who arrived with three cabinet ministers, was welcomed by Irian Jaya governor Jacob Pattipi at the Sentani airport.

The vice president is scheduled to dedicate a laboratory at the Akademi Teknik in Jayapura.

Thousands of townspeople filled the streets between Sentani and Jayapura to catch a glimpse of Try, Antara reported.

The congress will last until Oct. 31 and bring foreign observers and 2,000 representatives from 68 churches across Indonesia.(pan)