MERCENARIES: EXECUTIVE OUTCOMES ROLE IN INDONESIA EXPOSED
Rich Winkel
** Topic: MERCENARIES: EXECUTIVE OUTCOMES ROLE IN INDONESIA EXPOSED **
** Written 8:41 AM Jul 21, 1999 by osimo...@netscape.net in cdp:reg.seasia **
From Norbert BRAumann <N.BRA...@tu-bs.de>
http://www.asiapac.org.fj/cafepacific/resources/aspac/cronau2.html
[Asia-Pacific Network logo]
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Bushfire Media: 13 July 1999
MERCENARIES: EXECUTIVE OUTCOMES ROLE IN INDONESIA EXPOSED
The former chief executive of the South African mercenary group,
Executive Outcomes, has revealed that his company provided training
and operational advice to the Indonesian special forces in an
operation to rescue hostages held in West Papua (Irian Jaya) in 1996.
By PETER CRONAU
* See Pacific Media Watch items on a related ABC Four Corners program:
2220, 2219.
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THE FORMER CEO of the South African mercenary group, Executive
Outcomes, has revealed that his company provided training and
operational advice to the Indonesian special forces in an operation to
rescue hostages held in West Papua (Irian Jaya) in 1996.
Nick van den Bergh informed the writer that he led a team of five
'military advisers' who travelled to Indonesia to provide training in
"special techniques" to KOPASSUS special forces troops led by
now-disgraced Major-General Prabowo Subianto.
The five Executive Outcomes 'consultants' also advised Prabowo's
KOPASSUS troops on aspects of the execution of the operation at an
advance military base at Keneyam in West Papua. Van den Bergh says, as
EO team leader, he reported directly to General Prabowo.
The British, Dutch, German and Indonesian hostages were kidnapped by
OPM (Free Papua Movement) guerilla soldiers led by Kelly Kwalik, near
the huge Freeport McMoRan copper and gold mine in the highlands of
West Papua in January 1996. The mine is partly owned by the
British/Australian mining giant, Rio Tinto.
In 1997, Van den Bergh also led the Executive Outcomes team into Papua
New Guinea, as sub-contractors under the prime contract of Sandline
International, in an aborted operation to capture the closed Rio Tinto
gold and copper mine in Bougainville. The massive copper and gold mine
in the Papua New Guinea island territory of Bougainville had been
closed by the Bougainville Revolutionary Army in 1989.
The KOPASSUS troops were responsible for the helicopter assault on the
West Papuan village of Geselema on May 9, 1996, in which many
civilians were murdered and numerous others wounded. This was the
start of an Indonesian retribution campaign which led to the deaths of
hundreds of West Papuans displaced from their lands.
A report released last month by the Robert F Kennedy Center for Human
Rights details many cases of abuses that followed the campaign. A
report is also to be released this month in the West Papuan capital
Jayapura with detailed witness accounts.
One helicopter is said to have been carrying Red Cross markings while
carrying KOPASSUS troops and a number o white soldiers. The long
rumoured presence of "white soldiers" on the helicopter was revealed
yesterday on ABC TV's "Four Corners" program in Australia. The
International Red Cross has undertaken to look into the revelation.
The hostages were freed a week later when Indonesian regular soldiers
stumbled into the hostage groups during an attack on the suspected
hideout. Two hostages died in the rescue bid.
Those present in West Papua for the planning of the operation in
addition to the Executive Outcomes mercenary 'advisers' included the
British Defence Attache from Jakarta, a three member team from the
Hostage Negotiation Unit of New Scotland Yard, several suspected
members of the British SAS, and representatives of the Dutch military
forces. The operation utilized Israeli surveillance equipment supplied
by the Singapore government.
Van den Bergh declined to reveal the identity of his client, but added
he was satisfied with the operation and had been paid for his services
in cash. Executive Outcomes closed down in 1998.
The West Papuans have been fighting for their independence since 1969
when the UN handed the territory over to Indonesia following a sham
vote by selected and intimidated representatives.
In the early 60s the Dutch colonial administration had set up a
Legislative Council, adopted a flag and anthem, on the path to planned
independence for the territory. This was cut short by an Indonesian
military campaign led by Major Suharto who was to later became
president.
¨ 1999 Bushfire Media.
All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
* Peter Cronau is a journalist working on the ABC Four Corners
investigative program and a co-convenor of Pacific Media Watch.
Copyright ¨ 1999 Bushfire Media and Asia-Pacific Network. This
document is for educational and research use. Please seek permission
for publication.
http://www.asiapac.org.fj/cafepacific/resources/aspac/cronau2.html
***********************************************
OTTIS SIMOPIAREF
PO Box 545
6700 AM Wageningen
The Netherlands
Ph.: +31.6.51700331
Email: osimo...@netscape.net
FREE WEST PAPUA from the Indonesian Colonialism
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