5 Jul 2004

Papua separatists deny FBI allegations that they are a terrorist organisation

10:27 am on 5 July 2004

Separatist rebels in Indonesia's Papua province have accused the United States government of a blatant cover-up over the 2002 killings of two American teachers.

Last week the FBI indicted Anthonius Wamang, an alleged military commander of the Free Papua Movement, or OPM, over the killings.

OPM spokesman, John Otto, says his group had nothing to do with the killings, and denied the FBI's allegation his group was a terrorist organisation that targeted Americans.

Human rights groups in Papua say the indictment is a way for the U.S. to rebuild military ties with the Indonesian government.

Washington stopped selling arms to Jakarta in 1999 in response to its support of pro-Indonesia militias in East Timor.