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Thousands Rally For Independence In Indonesia's Papua
Grote demonstratie in Jayapura voor onafhankelijkheid
JAYAPURA, Indonesia (AFP)--Thousands of Papuans demanded a referendum on independence from Indonesia during a peaceful rally here Thursday watched by hundreds of riot police. At least 5,000 people gathered in the Papuan provincial capital Jayapura to denounce the 1969 referendum that handed sovereignty of the resource-rich former Dutch colony to Indonesia. Carrying banners demanding "freedom" and calling for international attention, they tried to march on the provincial parliament building but were blocked by police. "We refuse the 1969 referendum and urge the Indonesian government to organize a new referendum of independence for Papuan people," protest coordinator Bucktar Tabuni said. One speaker told the crowd through a megaphone: "Our children weren't born to be tortured and killed by Indonesia's security forces. Our only wish is for Papuans to be treated well as human beings." Many Papuans accuse Jakarta of stealing the rugged, largely undeveloped province's natural resources. Indonesia's military is also accused of rights abuses and corruption, especially around foreign-owned mines.
(END) Dow Jones Newswires 10-16-080500ET Copyright (c) 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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