‘Diro affair’

Rebel talks touch off ‘Diro affair’

From GUS SMALES in Port Moresby

The Papua New Guinea cabinet severely reprimanded its defence force commander. Brigadier- General Ted Diro, early in October, The reprimand was for his meeting in August with the self-styled Brigadier Seth Rumkorem, leader of an anti-Indonesian rebel force in Irian Jaya.

But Brigadier-General Diro, who treated the affair throughout as an important intelligence mission associated with his office, told the Prime Minister, Mr Somare, he was the victim of internal politics.

In a letter to the Prime Minister Brigadier-General Diro said the defence force was “sick to death” of being used as a political football by “politicians and former politicians”.

In August, at Rumkorem’s suggestion, Brigadier-General Diro went to a spot near Wutung on the northern end of the border which PNG shares with the Indonesian province of Irian Jaya. The border relationship involves delicate political issues because of PNG’s diplomatic ties with Indonesia, and because of repeated crossings into PNG of Irianese who claim to be refugees from Indonesian administration Rumkorem wanted the meeting, Bngadier-General Diro saw as an intelligence opportunity, although he was not sure at first if me request, handed on to him by intermediaries was genuine. He kept Security Chiefs informed but did not refer the matter to Mr Somare or contact with Rumkorem who was flown to the second battalion head-

quarters of the PNG defence force at Wewak. Brigadier-General Diro in terviewed Rumkorem extensively there, and then returned to Port Moresby where he made a full security and intelligence report, .. „ re P ri manding Bngadier- General Diro the National Execu tive Council (the PNG cabinet) warned that if he ignored the issues mvolved more drastic action would be taken - Brigadier-General Diro told the cab,net he accepted the reprimand, and would remain a soldier despite the anxieties and dis comf°rfs of the incident, In his letter to the Prime Minister Brigadier-General Diro said politi cal submissions made over what he had done were full of “lies and half truths”, . . , 1 here had been a dls tortion of his "V, 88100 whlch had l?een an in- Jflligciice operation from which he believed be had learnt much of value , m the interests of PNG. He ow knew what sort of a man Rumkorem is . He said the defence torce should he free of interference Scarry ? ut the duties and respon -Blblllties for whlch it was trained.

The Diro matte, brought into the open allegations that the PNG Defence - a r up claim Which, despite a wide airing had

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passed, charges and counter-charges re influence within the government as parTne7s S Pan9u Party and