From cscheiner@igc.apc.org Fri Aug 29 09:34:27 1997
Date: 28 Aug 1997 22:45:24 -0800 (PST)

From: KdP Net, kdpnet@IGC.APC.ORG 
(by way of Charles Scheiner, cscheiner@igc.apc.org
via Kabar dari PIJAR (KdP_net)

From:  Greg_Probst[SMTP:Greg_Probst]
Sent:  Wednesday, August 27, 1997 8:35 PM
Subject:  Lowlands Update

MESSAGE FROM P.T. FREEPORT INDONESIA MANAGEMENT

While the situation in the lowlands following last week's disturbance near Kwamki Lama remains calm and secure, we feel compelled to explain the facts of the situation as we know them. There continue to be inaccurate media and internet reports regarding the events of last week. Many groups are misrepresenting the facts in order to forward their own political agendas. Some reports have stated that the disturbance was somehow tied to protests over Freeport's operations or its disbursement of funds for the Integrated Timika Development Program. This is absolutely untrue. This unfortunate use of rhetoric, twisted facts and exaggeration can only create confusion and harm in the local communities. One of the purposes of this message is to provide the facts to those of you who have read some of these inaccurate reports.

The following is a synopsis of the events of August 20-23 as confirmed by witnesses and police:

On the evening of Wednesday August 20, 1997, the dead bodies of two young people, both of the Ekari language group and both residents of Kwamki Lama, were found near the Freeport road near Mile Post 28. Rumors quickly spread through the Ekari community in Kwamki Lama that the victims had been either hit by or thrown from a Freeport Malaria Control truck. This is not true.

Police are conducting a thorough investigation into the deaths and are trying to determine the cause. Police and witnesses have said, however, that no Freeport driver, from Malaria Control or any other department, was involved.

The rumors that had spread through the Ekari community on Wednesday night resulted in the gathering of approximately 100 men (not thousands as reported in the media) to cause a disturbance outside the Freeport Malaria Control office in Timika Indah. Some threw rocks, breaking windows in the office and in residences they believed were occupied by Malaria Control employees. This group remained outside the Malaria Control office for most of the day on Thursday. The Freeport road and Levee road between Mile Post 32 and Timika were closed as a precaution as police conducted their investigation and negotiated with the group of protesters.

Meanwhile late on Thursday, August 21, a group of local people stole a road excavator and dug a trench in the Freeport road and the levee road and then burned and destroyed the excavator. On Thursday night two light vehicles were burned along the road. No one was injured.

On Friday morning at approximately 9:00AM, approximately 20 military personnel were conducting an inspection of the road near Mile 28 in order to make a determination as to whether the area was secure enough to re-open the road, when they were attacked by a group of approximately 150 local men armed with bow and arrows, rocks, spears and machetes. While attempting to leave the site, two military personnel were injured by arrows. The military says shots were fired to disperse the crowd of attackers. Two of the armed local men were killed in this event. Later on Friday afternoon the more seriously injured military officer was taken by ambulance to Tembagapura. A crowd of local people who were gathered near the hospital rushed to the ambulance in an attempt to see who was inside. Military, in an attempt to disperse the crowd, fired shots in the air. No one was injured.

The situation quieted down in Kwamki Lama and Timika late Friday. By Saturday morning, Military and police assured us that the situation was indeed secure enough to re-open the Freeport roads. Thankfully, there have been no further disturbances. Police continue their investigation into the initial deaths. We understand that the Indonesian Human Rights Commission is also looking into these events. We welcome these investigations and hope that they lead to a prompt resolution.

Freeport's efforts in the local community, through our participation in the Integrated Timika Development Plan, continue. Some media reports have aired critics comments stating that the Amungme and Kamoro people have not received assistance from this program. To the contrary, the original Amungme and Kamoro tribes have, in fact, received proportionately more than other groups. While there are many vocal critics of our presence here and of our participation in development in the region, we are continually working for the betterment of the local communities and the people of Irian Jaya (West Papua). We are working closely with our neighbors in the local communities, the Indonesian Government and any outside groups who legitimately want to see positive development in this region. Development in a dynamic and complex environment such as this requires much hard work and good communications with all parties, including our employees.