Govt told to win hearts of Papuan people<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro
\nThe Jakarta Post
\nJakarta<\/p>\n
The central government should intensify its communication with
\nthe international community and win the hearts of Papuan people,
\ninstead of employing a military approach, to crush the Free Papua
\nMovement (OPM), according to community and religious leaders in
\nPapua.<\/p>\n
Papuan Governor Jaap Solossa said that the government should
\ncounter OPM's struggle for independence through political and
\ncultural means with intensive actions to win support from
\ncountries who are influential in international fora.<\/p>\n
According to him, a defensive approach and military offensive
\nwill not be effective in crushing the underground independence
\nmovement because like Aceh, the core problem in the Papua is
\ninjustice, human rights abuses and unfair treatment and not the
\narmed rebellion.<\/p>\n
\"Besides, the government should also be consistent in its
\nimplementation of the special autonomy to win the hearts of the
\npeople so that they will no longer support the separatist
\nmovement. The more human rights abuses and injustices that occur
\nthe more the people will suffer and the more they will support
\nthe separatist movement,\" he said after a meeting with
\nCoordinating Minister for Political Affairs Susilo Bambang
\nYudhoyono at the latter's office here on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Also accompanying Solossa in the meeting were leaders of
\nreligious groups in Papua and former Papuan governors Barnabas
\nSuebu and Izaac Hindom.<\/p>\n
He declined to reveal details about the meeting but according
\nto credible sources, the Papuan delegation met Susilo in line
\nwith the government's planned military offensive in Papua
\nfollowing the ongoing one in Aceh.<\/p>\n
When asked whether the government had changed its mind on the
\nplanned military operation in Papua, the governor said: \"No...
\nthere is no such plan (to launch military operation in Papua).<\/p>\n
He, nevertheless, was quick to add: \"The meeting, of course,
\nfocused strongly on the government's plan to pay more attention
\nto end the secessionist movements in Aceh and Papua, as well as
\nterrorism issues and security matters prior to the 2004 general
\nelection.\"<\/p>\n
The military leadership has warned against OPM's intensive
\nlobbying with international non-governmental organizations and
\ndeveloped countries to win their support for the province's
\nseparation from Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Solossa regretted that the government has not disbursed the
\nspecial autonomy funds worth Rp 1.3 trillion (US$158.5 million)
\nin the fiscal year 2003.<\/p>\n
The funds should have been disbursed in March.<\/p>\n
Almost all development projects that have been approved and
\ncompleted this fiscal year could not be carried out because of
\nthe delay, he said. \"We do need the funds to finance development
\nprojects and the government should show its goodwill to encourage
\nprogress under the autonomy era in the province to win the hearts
\nof the Papuan people. The government should foster the Papuan
\npeople's dignity.\"<\/p>\n
Solossa also questioned the suspension of the establishment of
\nthe Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) which has a vital political
\nfunction in determining the development policy and the future of
\nthe country's easternmost province.<\/p>\n
He said Papua and the central government have been at odds
\nover the MRP since the latter did not want the highest Papuan
\nlaw-making body to have any political authority.<\/p>\n
He said neither side discussed the planned development of
\nPapua into three provinces, a move Papuan religious leaders have
\nopposed.<\/p>\n
The military has been behind the government's move in its
\nattempt to weaken the separatist movement.<\/p>\n
However, the military has been strongly criticized for rampant
\nhuman rights abuses over the last three years, ranging from the
\nmurder of proindependence Papuan figure Dortheys \"Theys\" Hiyo
\nEluway to the recent killing of dozens of civilians in a hunt for
\nrebels in Timika, Jayawijaya regency.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-told-to-win-hearts-of-papuan-people-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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