Megawati cancels Irian visit

Protests have been growing in the province with independence supporters saying new autonomy laws do not go far enough

JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Indonesian President Megawati Sukarnoputri has called off a planned weekend visit to the troubled province of Irian Jaya.

According to the Jakarta Post newspaper the visit was cancelled at the last minute because of increased tensions in the province, also known as West Papua, following the murder last month of independence campaigner Theys Eluay.

Security Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono told the paper that mounting local opposition to the province's recently granted special autonomy status and demands for a thorough investigation into Eluay's death were behind the decision.

Her said the cancellation was because of "heightened political tension" in the province and not the worsening security situation there.

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Palace officials contacted by the Reuters news agency gave no other details other than to say the visit had been postponed indefinitely.

Megawati had been scheduled to visit the remote but resource-rich province in a bid to ease independence demands.

Her visit was to include attendance at Christmas celebrations and a ceremony officially handing over the special autonomy law.

She has backed the setting up of an independent inquiry into Eluay's murder but has specifically ruled out any moves toward full independence.

For years pro-independence campaigners have complained of widespread human rights abuses committed by members of the Indonesian armed forces.

Several supporters have blamed the military for causing Eluay's death.

His body was found inside his overturned car at the bottom of a ravine after having dinner in the provincial capital Jayapura with the local commander of the Kopassus special forces.

Police say they have not ruled out military involvement in the murder although the army as an institution has denied any involvement.

Eluay's death has added new impetus to pro-independence campaigners who say the government siphons off the province's wealth but gives little in return.