Indonesian Ambassador to PNG Bom Soejanto was summoned by PNG’s acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Kila Karo here in Port Moresby on Thursday and conveyed his government’s position on the issue.
Foreign Affairs officials said PNG’s serious concerns on the border crossings by Indonesian troops into Vanimo, Sandaun province, will be conveyed to his superiors in Jakarta this week.
Soejanto said the incursions were made by new recruits from Central Java who were not familiar with the PNG-Indonesian border boundaries. He said any future border incursions will be dealt with under Indonesian military rules.
PNG government officers said they will act on reports about the burning down of 10 houses, affecting about 100 Kwara villagers in Western province once official reports are received.
South Fly police commander Inspector Peter Philip claimed that Indonesians soldiers at Sota had crossed over into PNG territory on July 9 while in pursuit of a Papua New Guinean working at the Weam station. They did not find the man but set some houses on fire and gun-butted three Medapor villagers.
A joint border meeting will be held in Jayapura to discuss security issues.
