Dialogue vital to solve Papua conflicts: Rights activists

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Mon, 09/14/2009 9:48 AM | National

Human right activists are urging the government to initiate a dialogue with representatives of various groups in Papua to find a peaceful solution to violence and separatism in the resources-rich province.

Mine guards hurt in Papua ambush

THE AGE

JAKARTA

September 13, 2009

TWO security officers have been hurt in an ambush near a US-owned mine in Indonesia’s restive West Papua province.

The officers were wounded when shots were fired at a Freeport McMoRan bus they were travelling on to the giant Grasberg gold and copper mine, according to police spokesman Agus Rianto.

The attack was on the only road linking the highland mine to the coast, where similar ambushes have taken place. Australian mine technician Drew Grant was killed in a July 11 attack, and a Freeport security guard and a policeman were killed the next day.

The Freeport mine sits on some of the world’s richest gold reserves, and the US company’s local subsidiary is the largest single taxpayer to the Indonesian Government.