About 1,000 people have staged a peaceful demonstration in Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua, calling for the United Nations to hold an East Timor-style referendum for independence in the region. Civil servants, students, church and tribal leaders and members of the Free Papua Movement rebel group gathered in the provincial capital Jayapura The rally was called to air grievances over problems ranging from human rights abuse to questions over the validity of a 1969 UN-staged vote on independence for Papua. Dissatisfaction in Papua has increased over the years with many accusing the central government of neglecting development while allowing foreign companies to exploit the resource-rich province.

ABC Radio Australia 17/08/2004 02:12:48