ABC AUSTRALIA, 24/12/2003 08:06:32
Former ETimor militia leader eyes Indonesia's Papua
The former leader of the most notorious East Timor militia group, Eurico Guterres,
says he now heads an organisation with funds and 18-thousand members, to fight
separatists in Indonesia's Papua province.
Mr Guterres brushed aside criticisms of his plan to open an office of the Red and
White Defenders Front in Papua.
He says his new group is registered with the Indonesian Government and can open
offices wherever it chooses.
However Tom Beanal - a member of the Papuan Presidium Council, says support for
Guterres is provided by those in Jakarta wishing to cause instability in Papua.
ABC Radio Australia News
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