M. Rizai Maslan – Although they have been convicted for the murder of the chairman of the Papaun Presidium Counicil, the convicted men are seen differently in the eyes of the chief of staff of the army, General Ryamizard Ryacudu. In his eyes, these men are heroes.

"I don't know, people say they did wrong, they broke the law. What law? Okay, we are a state based on the rule of law, so they have been punished. But for me, they are heroes because the person they killed was a rebel leader."

This view was expressed by the former commander of Kostrad, speaking on the occasion of the installation of Lt. General Darsono as deputy chief of staff on 23 April.

"If they have to be punished, keep it light, nothing heavy like being court-martialed. That can't be right. We oppose rebels. If their leader dies by improper means, okay, they have to be punished."

The chief of staff also wondered why no action has been taken against the rebels. These days, he lamented, the military are the victims because no action is being taken against rebel actions. "For a long time, there has been no punishment for people who raise flags, rebel. Nothing is done, " he said, and in the end, the TNI gets clobbered. If the state had acted, such things wouldn't happen.

On the same occasion Commander General of Kopassus, Major-General Sriyanto said he had to contain himself when we heard about the conviction of some of his men. "I was saddened that some of my men who were sent as non-organic troops to help the Trikora military command defend the Unitary State of Indonesia (NKRI) had become victims."

He said his men had tried to persuade Theys not to proclaim an Independent Papua on 1 December 2002 (sic) or that he should at least postpone this. "But things happened differently on the ground." Commenting on what would now follow after the verdict, Sriyanto said the rights of the convicted men were under consideration. "Of course, we will appeal against the verdict."

As reported earlier, seven soldiers from Tribuana Satgas Papua who were accused in connection with the death of Theys were sentenced to between three and three and a half years. Some of them were also discharged, including the Tribuana commander, Lt.Colonel Hartomo.

[Translated by Tapol]