Indonesia accuses Australian aid group with inciting violence

(UPI) - Indonesian State Intelligence Agency head Major-General Syamsir Siregar has accused an Australian-backed aid group of being behind recent clashes in West Papua province.

The Townsville Bulletin reported on March 21 that Siregar did not name the group. Siregar said, "There was a non-government organization sponsoring it all. As far as I know, the mover was a local NGO, but had connections with the outside. I guess you all know (who)."

On March 16 a demonstration outside the massive U.S.-owned Freeport McMoRan Grasberg copper and gold mine led to the death of five security officers.

The Grasberg mine is Indonesia's biggest taxpayer. Grasberg is the world's largest gold mine and third-largest copper mine. In 2004, Grasberg's proven recoverable gold reserves were estimated at 1,437.5 tons.

Antara news agency reported on March 22 that in the wake of the violence Indonesia is sending hundreds more troops into Papua province.

In the past Jakarta has accused several Australian aid groups of covertly aiding West Papuan separatists, who have fought a low-level insurgency against Indonesian rule for decades.