Irian Jaya (West Papua)

The province declared unilateral independence from the Netherlands 40 years ago on December 1. Eight years later it was incorporated into Indonesia after a U.N.-run vote by tribal chiefs.

After the suspicious death of pro-independence leader Theys Eluay Indonesian forces are keeping a tight grip on the restive province. The fear of an East Timor-style meltdown is as prominent as the emotions of grief and remembrance.