JAKARTA. June 5: Indonesia's president today flatly rejected a declaration of independence by activists in West Papua and warned that security forces would take action to maintain order in the restive province, reports AP.

President Abdurrahman Wahid also asked foreign nations not to recognise any West Papuan claim of sovereignty, saving he would safeguard Indonesia’s territorial integrity-

On Sunday a landmark congress of about 3.000 pro-independence delegates unanimously called on the outside world to recognise West Papua as a sovereign state.

It also claimed that territory. which covers the western half of New Guinea Island, had never been legally integrated into Indonesia.

At a news conference. Wahid said the weeklong meeting in the provincial capital. Jaya-pura. had been one-sided and bid not represent the all the views of the province’s 2 million people.

He said pro-Indonesian groups and representatives had been unfairly barred for taking part and did not have their voice heard.

"We do not recognise the congress of Papua because they have rejected the preseme of

Papuan people who are pro-Indonesian." Wahid said

He also criticised the organisers of the congress for inviting groups of foreigners to attend.

Wahid, who came to office promising democratic reform last October, said the Indonesia government would guarantee human rights in the region, also known as Irian Jaya.

"But besides that, we will also maintain order in the sense that the police. If necessary. assisted by the military, will take action to secure the security of the area and the province.'' he said.