PNG concerned about alleged border violations

14/07/2008 22:35:19

Papua New Guinea has raised concerns over allegations Indonesian soldiers are violating border agreements between the two countries.

Our reporter in Port Moresby, Firmin Nanol, says armed Indonesian soldiers have reportedly crossed into PNG several times over the past few months.

PNG and Indonesia share a common land border.

They have established military and diplomatic relations since PNG attained independence in 1975.

Now PNG claims Indonesian soldiers are continuously defying and breaking those agreements by crossing over the border.

PNG defence force commander, Peter Ilau, says an Indonesian army platoon of 10 armed men crossed into the PNG side of the border last month.

He claims they intimidated PNG citizens along the border, a claim which is being investigated.

However, PNG's defence minister has played down the border incursions as a minor issue

Attempts to speak to the Indonesian embassy in Port Moresby have been unsuccessful.

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