“Jungle Hostages—III: A Deeply Troubled Resolution”

On Wednesday 8th May 1996 the Hand-Over Ceremony was held, attended by a large village community. The (white) ICRC helicopter overflew the surrounding territory to guarantee no military intrusion. The hostages were excited that soon they would be free. But suddenly the Ceremony collapsed. Because of background political manipulation that Stephen identifies in the text, Kwalik, the rebel leader unexpectedly announced the hostages would be held longer until new demands were met. The hostages were taken off into the jungle for five days—without food. The military attacked the nearby village killing several villagers in the pretense they were rebels, an event that led to external tribesmen who had been staying in the village then killing two of the (Javanese) hostages. Finally, with controlled military support the hostages were found and freed—met by Stephen at Jakarta’s Halim military airport when they arrived back. After an evening under observation in hospital, the UNESCO and ecology project related World Wildlife Fund (WWF) former hostages enjoyed a celebratory dinner at the Netherlands Embassy. The Saga was over for the hostages, though the repression of tribespeople continued including immediate military murdering attack on villagers in so-called retribution—even though no rebels were there.