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Indonesian Security Forces in Irian Jaya on Full Alert
Defense and police personnel in Indonesia's Irian Jaya Province are on full alert ahead of a mass rally on Friday to commemorate the anniversary of the province's unilateral declaration of independence.
"All security forces have been ordered to be on maximum alert and not to hesitate to take firm action," Antara news agency Friday quoted Irian Jaya police chief Brigadier General Sylvanus Wenas as saying.
On Thursday, hundreds of security personnel paraded through the main streets of Jayapura, the capital city of the province, as a show of force against any separatist movement in the province.
Jayapura police chief Supt. Daud Sihombing said the parade was meant to convince the Irianese that the security personnel were ready to safeguard the province from any attempt to disrupt public order.
Daud confirmed that security had been beefed up by the deployment of at least four battalions of military personnel to back up the police during the rally.
Separatist elements in the province declared "independence" on December 1, 1961,before the former Dutch colony was integrated into Indonesia under a U.N.-sanctioned act of free choice in 1969. Free Papua Movement activists were reportedly to "celebrate' the event with some mass-supported activities.
Wenas said there were now around 6,000 police members in Irian Jaya. The army had earlier sent three Strategic Reserves Command battalions to reinforce the Marine Corps, Air Force Special Troops and naval units already in the region.
Meanwhile, Antara reported, traders at traditional markets had stopped their activities, fearing that there would be clashes between the separatists and security forces. Most offices in Jayapura were also closed Thursday.
Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid warned here Thursday that security forces were ready to face any effort made by Irian Jaya and Aceh to secede from Indonesia.
"Whoever wants to launch a separatist movement in the country will have to face the state's security forces in line with the People's Consultative Assembly's mandate and the constitution," the president said in a nationwide television broadcast Thursday evening.
Efforts to proclaim separation from the unitary Republic of Indonesia such as being planned by certain elements in Irian Jaya and Aceh must be suppressed and rooted out, the president noted.
Meanwhile, Coordinating Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reiterated that the government will crack down on any separatist movement which could only lead to disintegration.
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