Indonesian Province of Irian Jaya Demands Independence
A landmark congress of activists on Irian Jaya on Saturday demanded full independence from Indonesia despite Jakarta’s warning that the restive province will not be allowed to break away.
A draft document read to about 3,000 cheering delegates called for an immediate declaration of independence as well as U.N. recognition of a new state by Dec. 1. A formal statement of secession was expected to be included in a final communique today.
The call for independence in this mineral-rich and jungle-covered former Dutch colony of 2 million people is the latest challenge to Indonesia’s national unity. Indonesia annexed the province in 1963.
On Friday, President Abdurrahman Wahid’s government entered into a cease-fire with rebels in the northwestern province of Aceh, which also wants to break away.
Wahid, who came to power as a democratic reformer in October, has offered Aceh and other provinces greater autonomy.
Hours before the call for independence was made, Wahid again emphasized that his 8-month-old reformist government would reject any efforts to secede.
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