Accused special forces leave Papua

The Indonesian Army said Thursday it was withdrawing special forces from Papua, after allegations they participated in a deadly mine attack and the killing of an independence leader, AP reported.

The disgraced unit, known as Kopassus, was used by ex-dictator Suharto to contain uprisings across Indonesia during his 32-year reign and has been accused of rights abuses in East Timor, Aceh and the Maluku.

Human rights groups speculated that the withdrawal from Papua was prompted by the unit's alleged involvement in the Aug. 31, 2002 attack near the U.S. gold and copper mine P.T. Freeport Indonesia, which killed two Americans and one Indonesian.

Also, seven Kopassus soldiers face trial before a military tribunal for the killing of Papuan independence leader Theys Eluay in November 2001.

Army Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said the 250 Kopassus troops were being pulled out because security against rebels fighting for independence had improved. He did not address the troops' alleged crimes.

Papua, formerly known as Irian Jaya, is Indonesia's easternmost province on the western half of New Guinea island.(*)