AUSTRALIAN POLICE TO JOIN INVESTIGATION OF SHOOTING IN PAPUA

Brisbane, July 13 (ANTARA) - Indonesian police has asked the help of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) investigate the shootings wich had killed Drew Nicholas Grant (38), an Australian employee of PT.Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), at Mile-53 in Timika, Papua, Saturday (Jul 11).

The remarks were made by Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith in his statement to the press in Brisbane, Sunday, when commenting on the shooting.

Smith said two AFP personnel from Jakarta had already arrived in Papua province to help Indonesian police uncover the shootings.

"Indonesian police has informed the relevant Australian authorities that the police will prioritize the handling of this case," he said.

The Australian government welcomed the Indonesian police's request for help of the AFP in investigating the case. "We hoped very much that the perpetrators would be caught and brought to justice as soon as possible," he said.

With regard to Drew Grant's death, on behalf of the government, Foreign Minister Smith offered the deepest condolences on the death of his fellow national.

The shooting occurred at Mile-53 when the ill-fated LWB vehicle, police license number 01-2587, driven by Jon Biggs was traveling to Timika from Tembagapura.

In the shooting Drew Grant was shot in the chest and neck.

In 2002, a shooting a foreigner also occurred in Timika. At that time a separatist Papua gang fired at two American teachers. The group was led by Antonius Wamang.