WEST IRIAN SEALED OFF

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31983, 9 May 1969, Page 11

WEST IRIAN SEALED OFF

W.Z.P A -Reuter— Copyright) DJAKARTA, May 8. West Irian has been sealed off from journalists and official visitors, an Indonesian Information Ministry spokesman told N.Z.P.A.-Reuter today. The spokesman, Mr Dik Subagio, said the decision was reached at a meeting today of the Interior Minister (Mr Amir Machmud) and the Information Minister (Mr Budiardjo). He said the move was only “for the time being.” The move comes after news of a revolt by tribesmen in

the Central Western High-: lands of the vast territory i once known as Dutch West| New Guinea. The tribesmen, dressed only, in shorts and loin cloths and; carrying rifles from police deserters or traditional bows and poisoned arrows, blockaded five airfields in the area. But a quick drop of some 500 Indonesian paracommandos quickly restored the security situation in the towns of Enarotali and Waghete. At least one Indonesian marine has been killed in a fight with rebels in Biak off the north coast and it was learned today from reliable sources that the airport at the West Irian capital of Djayapura came under attack on April 24. But the attack was quickly beaten off. Asked by an N.Z.P.A.Reuter correspondent if an application to visit West Irian had been accepted the spokesman said: “The local Government of West Irian finds it is very occupied with preparations for the act of free choice (to be held in July and August). “It finds it has not sufficient funds and forces and has requested the central Government for the time being not to be bothered by official visi-| tors and journalists.” The spokesman said today’s meeting had agreed to the request, but added that the Information Minister “sticks to the principle that the doors should be open.” Asked how long journalists' were likely to be barred from West Irian, he said the Minis-'

| try was confident that by the itime the act of free choice; had begun journalists would: ■be allowed into West Irian.j (This would leave the Government two months to clear upj trouble, observers noted. In an interview with Indonesia’s internal news agency,! Antara, published this morning the Indonesian Foreign Minister (Mr Adam Malik) said: “The Indonesian Govern-1 ment is resolved to conduct the act of free choice in West!

(Irian within the next three ; months.” | ! “We are aware, too. that ! within this period the antipepera (act of free choice) (elements inside and outside !the country will keep on tryling to frustrate the implemenItation of the act,” Mr Malik said. : Government plans were to i complete the act, to decide (the territory's future, before August 17, Indonesia’s NaItional Day.