Papuan souvenirs, songs feature in Independence Day ceremony at palace

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta, Wed, 08/17/2011

The presidential palace distributed Papua-themed souvenirs during the ceremony to commemorate Indonesia’s 66th Independence Day on the palace’s front lawn.

Each guest attending the ceremony received a goody bag containing a Papua-themed T-shirt, mug and book, as well as a collection of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s speeches and a few snacks, among other things.

Papuan songs by a choir, which included a number of Papuans, also greeted guests as they arrived at the palace.

Demands for Papua’s independence have escalated recently after thousands of Papuans across the province staged coordinated rallies to call for a referendum on Papuan independence.

The Independence Day ceremony at the palace was led by President Yudhoyono, tempointeraktif.com reported