House speaker rules out independence for Irian Jaya<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): House of Representatives Speaker Akbar Tandjung
\nruled out on Monday independence for Irian Jaya, dealing a blow
\nto separatist rebel leader Willem Onde during his visit here.<\/p>\n
Akbar suggested that Onde and the people in the province draft
\na bill on special autonomy for their natural resource-rich
\nterritory.<\/p>\n
"I invite all parties in Irian Jaya to deliberate the form of
\nspecial autonomy in the province. I promise we will take the
\naspirations of the people more into account than those of the
\ngovernment," Akbar told Onde during a meeting. The separatist
\nleader was accompanied by Irian Jaya provincial administration
\nofficials and community leaders.<\/p>\n
Akbar underlined the House's position that Irian Jaya is and
\nwill remain a part of Indonesia. "Our political stance is clear;
\nwe will maintain Indonesia's unity, so contribute your ideas for
\nthe plan to grant Irian Jaya special autonomy."<\/p>\n
Onde came to the House to deliver the demand for the
\nprovince's independence, and to ask for the House's stance on the
\nissue.<\/p>\n
The government arranged a series of meetings between Onde and
\ntop state officials, including President Abdurrahman Wahid and
\nVice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, after his separatist group
\nabducted 16 employees of South Korean-owned plywood firm Korindo,
\nwhich is based in Asiki district, some 360 kilometers from
\nMerauke, the country's easternmost town.<\/p>\n
Thirteen of the hostages were released on Jan. 28 following
\nnegotiations with the rebels at their camp. The remaining three
\nwere freed a week later.<\/p>\n
No ransom was paid for the release of the hostages despite the
\nrebels' demand for US$1 million and logging in the area to be
\nstopped. The government has guaranteed Onde's security during his
\nvisit to the capital.<\/p>\n
Both Abdurrahman and Megawati have ruled out independence for
\nIrian Jaya, also known as Papua.<\/p>\n
Onde said on Monday more abductions would take place because
\n"our aspirations have gone unheeded".<\/p>\n
He insisted he was not leading a separatist movement, saying
\nthat Irian Jaya was a sovereign territory. He added that Jakarta
\nshould make clear the political status of the province.<\/p>\n
Onde said during his meeting with Akbar the people of Papua
\nalso were demanding the government retract the shoot-on-sight
\norder in the region and the release of all political prisoners
\nfrom the territory.<\/p>\n
Akbar said the people of Irian Jaya, as well as other
\nIndonesians, were allowed to submit suggestions to the House,
\nincluding changing the name of a province and creating new
\nholidays.<\/p>\n
"But you cannot remove the national flag because we consider
\nthe region part of Indonesia, just like the rest of the country.<\/p>\n
"On your demand for security guarantees and the release of
\npolitical prisoners, we will convey the messages to the
\ngovernment," he said.(dja)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/house-speaker-rules-out-independence-for-irian-jaya-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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