Hanoi – President Megawati Soekarnoputri deplored US Secteraty of State Colin Powell's statement on alleged human rights abuses in Papua province, especially in the Timika ambush which killed two Americans and an Indonesian.

"I think Mr.Colin Powell exaggerated things somewhat," the Indonesian head of state told a press briefing at Melia Hotel here Thursday evening.

She said she had ordered Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda, Military Chief General Hendriartono Sutarto, and Police Chief General Da'i Bachtiar to handle the Timika shooting case but the US side wanted more time to re-investigate the case to get evidence despite the fact that FBI agents did a reinvestigation not so long ago.