RI HANDS OVER REMAINS OF FORMER WW II JAPANESE SOLDIERS

Biak, March 17 (ANTARA) - Vice head of Biak Numfor district in Papua, Alimuddin Sabe, on behalf of the Indonesian government handed over 108 remains of former World War II Japanese soldiers here on Monday.

The handover ceremony was held at the World War II Monument in Kampung Anggraidi (Paray) village in the district of Biak Kota. The remains were received by Kasushi representing the Japanese government and witnessed by an officer of the home affairs ministry, Maskur.
On behalf of the Japanese government Kasushi thanked the Indonesian government as well as the people and district administration of the Biak Numbor that had helped the return of the remains of the soldiers who died during the war.
"The handing over of the remains was made possible because of the cooperation between the two countries and therefore also on behalf of the soldiers' families I expressed my gratitude," he said.
He also hoped that with the remains returned to their country it would be more peaceful, and close to their children and families in Japan.
Alimuddin said the handing over of the remains was the result of a cooperation program set up by the two countries in 1993.
He hoped the cooperation could be continued and expanded to other social programs such as assisting the Papuans, particularly in Biak Numfor in their effort to overcome backwardness, poverty and ignorance.