Kopassus trio held over Theys murder 

VAUDINE ENGLAND in Jakarta

Three officers from Kopassus, Indonesia's special forces, have been arrested for involvement in the murder five months ago of Papuan independence leader Theys Eluay. 

But senior military officers refused to say exactly who had been detained and what the charges were. 

"There is a strong indication of their involvement in Theys' death," Indonesian Defence Force Commander Admiral Widodo Adisutjipto told generals gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Kopassus, the army's 4,000-member Special Force Command. The event carried on despite the admission that Kopassus was party to the highest profile political murder 
since 1998. 

Theys, leader of the Papua Presidium, a group aiming to negotiate independence with Jakarta, was kidnapped and strangled after attending a dinner at Kopassus headquarters in Papua on November 11 last year. 

Although suspicion immediately focused on military involvement in the killing, Papuan military commander Mahidin Simbolon said at the time he believed Theys had died from a heart attack. Since then, several investigations have been launched, and some generals have admitted the possibility that military men may have murdered Theys. 

Speculation continues, however, about who ordered the Kopassus men to carry out the murder. Rights activists in Papua believe the orders came from the top, that is, from President Megawati Sukarnoputri to her generals. 

But sources in Jakarta and Papua believe the murder was over a business matter, particularly logging rights on tribal lands which Theys controlled. The sources said he was the victim of competition between generals vying over the lucrative rights and that Kopassus soldiers already in the territory were hired to do the dirty work. 

Separately, the radical Muslim paramilitary group Laskar Jihad has admitted it has established several bases for its activities in largely Christian Papua. Analysts agree such bases could not exist without at least tacit support from the armed forces. 

Laskar Jihad sent members from the nearby province of Maluku, where it has contributed significantly to strife which has led to around 6,000 deaths in three years. 

Rights activists say Laskar's preaching is inflammatory and anti-Christian, and could easily spark trouble. Its rhetoric appears to paint the independence movement as "Christian", sowing the seeds for potentially vicious religious, ethnic and political division. 

Meanwhile, the US Embassy clarified yesterday that it did not support the cause of Papuan independence. 

The statement followed an enthusiastic welcome given by Papuans to the US ambassador to Jakarta, Ralph Boyce, on a visit to the province. 

A group of traditional dancers swept Mr Boyce and his staff along to the place where Theys is buried, asking him to lay a wreath. US officials said Mr Boyce was surprised by the diversion from his schedule. 


As well as meeting local government and other figures, Mr Boyce also lunched with members of the Papua Presidium. 

"We do not support the separatist movement which is trying to separate the province from the Indonesian unitary state," Mr Boyce said.