Special Unit Leaving Papua, the Army Says
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From Times Wire Reports
The Indonesian army said it was withdrawing special forces from Papua province but did not link the move to allegations that the unit was responsible for slayings. Gen. Endriartono Sutarto said the 250 Kopassus troops were being pulled out because security had improved.
Human rights groups speculated that the withdrawal was prompted by the Aug. 31 killings of two Americans and one Indonesian, and the trial of seven Kopassus soldiers for the killing of Papuan separatist leader Theys Eluay in November 2001.
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