20,000 protesters call for independence in Irian Jaya

[Ulhas Joglekar]

5 December 1999
20,000 protesters call for independence in Irian Jaya
JAKARTA, Indonesia: Thousands of people gathered Saturday in Indonesia's
easternmost Irian Jaya province to press their demands for independence,
reports said.
About 20,000 protesters in Nabire town, about 650 km (400 miles) west of the
provincial capital Jayapura, called on the
Indonesian government to relinquish all claims to the territory,
human rights activists said.
John Rumbiak, spokesman for the Jayapura-based Institute for
Human Rights Study and Advocacy, said the rally was peaceful.
"The people wanted to make sure the authorities didn't lower the
independence flag that they've raised in the town," he said.
The demonstration came two days after police opened fire to
disperse a pro-independence rally in Timika town in central Irian
Jaya. More than 50 people were injured in the incident.
Indonesia occupied West Papua, a Dutch colony, in 1963. The
region was renamed Irian Jaya and Indonesian sovereignty was
formalized in 1969 by an assembly of village chiefs who favored
incorporation. Pro-independence forces say the process was
inherently undemocratic.
Until last year, Indonesia's army ran the province with an iron
hand. Thousands of locals were killed and tortured during a series
of anti-insurgency operations.

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