Jakarta – A senior Indonesian general has warned that foreign powers – including the United States – may be plotting to take over the remote province of Irian Jaya, the official Antara news agency reported yesterday.

Major-General Kiki Syahnakrie, regional army commander for much of eastern Indonesia, said the country must strengthen national unity to prevent a foreign invasion.

"We have to take measures to prevent Irian Jaya from becoming the next target of international moves following the holding of a joint exercise by US, Singapore and Australian armed forces near the territory," he was quoted as saying. Maj-Gen Kiki said he expected something major to happen in the territory in December, but did not elaborate.

But Australia and the US yesterday rejected Maj-Gen Kiki's claims that they were working to split Irian Jaya from Jakarta's rule. The US maintains a naval presence in Singapore, conducting exercises with regional navies frequently. However, a US embassy official said yesterday that the US navy had not taken part in any joint training near Irian Jaya for several months. Australia, the US and Singapore all recognise Indonesia's sovereignty over Irian Jaya, which is also known as West Papua.