The Jakarta Post, November 03, 2006
Papua on alert over rebel leader's funeral
JAKARTA: Police in Papua are on high alert over the planned funeral of separatist
leader Willem Songgonao who died in Australia last week.
His body has been laid in state in Jayapura and his relatives have yet to decide if hi! s
remains will be buried in Jayapura or in his hometown in Enarotali, Antara reported.
Jayapura City Police chief Adj. Comr. Roberth Joensoe said Thursday he had readied
about 200 officers in anticipation of violence.
Songgonao, a Papua New Guinea citizen, had lived in self-imposed exile abroad for 37
years, seeking diplomatic support for Papua independence. He died of a heart attack
in Sydney on Oct. 2. In his death wish he asked to be buried in his homeland.
Joensoe said he had told the deceased's supporters not to raise the Free Papua
Movement (OPM) flag, or the security authorities would take action against them.
"If his coffin is draped in the OPM flag, his relatives will have to bear the
consequences," he said. -- JP
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