Jakarta - Indonesia wants permission to chase separatist rebels in the easternmost province of Irian Jaya who take refuge over the border in neighbouring Papua New Guinea, an official was quoted as saying at the weekend.
"If the government of PNG allows Indonesia's security agencies to enter the territory of PNG and co-operation with the PNG security apparatus can be established, the scope of movement for the guerrillas will be narrowed," Irian Jaya provincial government spokesman, Mr Suryanto Sriwardoyo, told the Antara news agency.
At least 13 people were killed and 43 injured when troops and police opened fire to quell fresh Muslim-Christian clashes in Indonesia's troubled eastern province of Maluku yesterday morning, residents said.