Further Papua violence likely: Australia

Further Papua violence likely: Australia
July 29, 2009 - 7:24PM
The federal government is warning of a risk of further violence near the Freeport mine in Indonesia's restive Papua province.

Three people have been killed, including 29-year-old Australian mine technician Drew Grant, and more than a dozen wounded in a series of ambushes near the Grasberg mining complex in recent weeks.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) on Wednesday updated its travel advice for Indonesia, warning "further violence is possible".

Police say at least seven people will face trial over this month's attacks, although it remains unclear who the perpetrators are.

This month's violence has been the worst at the mine since two American schoolteachers were killed there in 2002.

The controversial mine has been targeted with arson, roadside bombs and blockades since production began in the 1970s during the Suharto years.

DFAT's overall travel advice for Indonesia remains "reconsider your need to travel".

On July 19, DFAT warned of the possibility of further terrorist attacks in Indonesia in the wake of twin suicide bomb attacks on two luxury hotels in Jakarta.

Three Australians - Nathan Verity, Craig Senger and Garth McEvoy - were among the nine killed in the attacks on the JW Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton hotels.

2009 AAP

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