Jakarta – Chief of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI), Adm. Widodo AS warned foreigners yesterday against meddling in Irian Jayan or Papua affairs as the region is a legitimate part of the country, adding that the TNI will deal sternly against foreigners who fail to heed the warning.

"Irian Jaya is an integral part of Indonesia. Irian Jaya is Indonesia's domestic affair. We do not want foreign interests getting involved in it", Widodo told members of the House of Representatives' (DPR) Commission I (defense and information) here.

The TNI Chief said the central government's tolerance displayed toward the recent Papua National Congress had been abused. "For instance, foreigners present at the congress were not just observers, and became involved in the decision making process of the congress", Widodo said.

Commenting on the declaration of independence by the congress, the TNI Chief said he considered it to be a separatist movement.

On the government's decision to reject the results of the Papua People's Congress, the military chief said the government should make efforts to maintain the Unitary State of Indonesia.

The Indonesian military, he said, always ensures that it abides by the government's policies. "Military personnel in Irian Jaya are trying to help the police maintain peace and order in the province and the local administration rebuild the local people's [trust] in Indonesia," he added. The Papua People's Congress ended last June 4 with a declaration that West Papua (Irian Jaya) is no longer part of Indonesia. President Abdurrahman Wahid said the government rejected the congress results.

During the hearing at the parliament building which was open to the public, Adm. Widodo AS observed that unrest continues to mark the security situation in the country. "Unrest continues, while anarchic and destructive activities are now emerging," Widodo told members of the DPR. He said a common vision on how to rebuild the nation had yet to be achieved.

Widodo further said that despite the signing of a cease-fire in restive Aceh province, ambushes and kidnappings continue. The Free Aceh Movement, he said, has even dared to install a member as a village chief and force local ulemas to attend the flag-raising ceremony held in honor of the occasion.

"We have to help Aceh's provincial administration as well as the police to prevent the [cease-fire] agreement from being misused by the group as Indonesia's and the international community's recognition of Aceh's independence," he said. He said the movement has long been intimidating those who do not support it.

Meanwhile on the situation in Maluku province, Widodo said, "It is still our concern because the clashes continue." The military, the provincial administration, the police and the people, he said, will keep on trying to apply the persuasive approach to settle sectarian conflict in the province.

Widodo further disclosed that the situation in Poso district, Central Sulawesi province has further deteriorated. As of June 12, 141 people have died, 99 have been seriously injured and 7,359 houses burned, he said, adding that nine houses of worship and two schools had been damaged in the riots.