Separatist a martyr to Papuans

Mourners grieve at the coffin of Papuan leader Theys Eluay

By Amy Chew

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- The mysterious death of Theys Eluay, independence leader of Indonesia's rebellious province of Papua, has turned him into a hero and strengthened the movement for self-rule, say analysts and Papuan figures.

Theys, 64, led the separatist Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) which has been campaigning for independence through peaceful means.

Andi Mallarangeng, analyst from the Institute of Government Studies, told CNN: "By the death of Theys, it creates a martyr, a hero for Papuans. For a long time, the movement had no hero, no symbol. "It (death) does not weaken the independence movement, it would strengthen it." Theys was found dead on October 11 in his car in a ravine 18 miles east of the provincial capital Jayapura. Police initially said he "appeared" to have been strangled and his killers tried to make his death seem an accident by pushing his car off a remote road.

Doctors who examined Theys' body later said he may not have been murdered because there were no bruises on his neck, a charge which the Papuans have reject. The police are still investigating.

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"I believe Theys was killed because of his political activities," PDP secretary-general, Thoha Al-Hamid, told CNN by telephone from Jayapura, the provincial capital of Papua.

Theys' death is expected to galvanize the disparate tribal groups, armed rebels, and various political movements in the remote and sprawling province of some 2 million people who seldom stand together in unity.

"Theys was the idol of the young generation of Papuans because they felt he could articulate their aspirations for independence," Papuan Frans Maniagasi, executive-secretary of Sabang, Merauke, a local human rights group, told CNN.

"I personally regard Theys as a symbol of resistance against the totalitarianism of Jakarta.

The Morning Star flag of indepenence flies among 10,000 mourners as Theys Eluay is buried

"With his death, it will draw solidarity which will greatly influence and deepen the spirit of nationalism, for independence," Maniagasi added.

Armed rebels have waged a low-level insurgency against the central government, often resulting in clashes with security forces, while political movements like PDP have been campaigning for freedom through dialogue.

PDP has vowed to keep up their campaign for independence.

"We will continue with the struggle for independence. That is a mandate from the people," said PDP's secretary-general Thoha.

Asked whether he was worried he might also become a target for assassination, Thoha said:"Of course we have worries and are always vigilant.

"That is the political risk and the risk of our struggle. If there are any differences, let us hold dialogue and not resolve it through extra-judicial means."

Resentment against the central government has grown through the years as Papuans perceive Jakarta as plundering their vast natural resources while giving back little.

Papua is home to the world's biggest copper and gold mine operated by PT Freeport Indonesia, a unit of New Orleans-based Freeport McMoran Copper & Gold Inc. contributing a huge chunk to the nation's coffers.

Papuans and analysts warned it was crucial that the government investigate, uncover and bring the killers to justice if it were to regain the trust of the Papuans and ease separatist tensions.

"If Jakarta can solve this (death) it would, at the very least, regain the trust of the people who no longer trusts Jakarta," said Maniagasi.