Papua congress to 'rectify' history opens in Irian Jaya<\/p>\n
JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): A landmark congress on the future
\nof Irian Jaya opened on Monday amid appeals from Jakarta for West
\nPapuans to remain within the republic.<\/p>\n
Many delegates arrived at the one-week Papuan People's
\nCongress, being held in the Cenderawasih sports stadium here,
\nhoping for a resolution to call for secession from Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The territory, now referred to as West Papua by locals, was a
\nDutch colony until 1963, after which it became part of Indonesia
\nand was named Irian Jaya. While President Abdurrahman Wahid has
\nagreed to change the name to West Papua, the decision has not yet
\nbeen formally endorsed by the People's Consultative Assembly.<\/p>\n
A youth choir sang hymns and other pieces, including
\nBeethoven's Ode to Joy, to kick off the congress. A series of
\nprayers followed before work began on laying down the rules and
\nprocedures for the gathering.<\/p>\n
Many of the cars jamming main roads leading to the stadium had
\n"Morning Star" separatist flags hanging from them.<\/p>\n
The congress, attended by 2,780 delegates representing
\ndifferent ethnic and professional groups, is being held in a
\nfestive atmosphere.<\/p>\n
The opening day was attended by Irian Jaya acting governor
\nMusiran Darmosuwito, and local civic, military and religious
\nleaders.<\/p>\n
The theme of the gathering is "Let us correct the history of
\nWest Papua."<\/p>\n
"The history of West Papua should be reviewed to uncover the
\ntruth, the truth that could save the Papuans," Agus Alua,
\nchairman of the congress' organizing committee, said.<\/p>\n
Musiran told journalists earlier that the question of
\nsecession from Indonesia would not be discussed.<\/p>\n
"The congress is only to straighten history, it is not for
\nindependence," Musiran said, recalling what the organizers had
\ntold President Abdurrahman Wahid in Jakarta earlier this year.<\/p>\n
The natural resource-rich territory of Irian Jaya was formally
\nrecognized by the United Nations in 1969.<\/p>\n
Most neighborhoods of Jayapura were empty on Monday as
\nresidents converged on the stadium for the congress.<\/p>\n
Entry to the congress was strictly limited to delegates and
\ninvitees. The congress's own security force, wearing black T-
\nshirts, checked ID cards and bags at the entrance gate.<\/p>\n
No security forces or police were seen in or around the venue,
\nleaving the security of the congress entirely up to by some 750
\nmembers of the congress security force.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, a seminar attended by youths and community leaders
\nfrom Irian Jaya closed with a statement saying that separation
\nfrom Indonesia was not the ideal solution to the Irian Jaya
\nproblem.<\/p>\n
"Separatist activities have escalated in reaction to prolonged
\nhuman rights abuses and the military's presence in the province,"
\naccording to a statement.<\/p>\n
The seminar called on the government to stop violence and to
\nwithdraw the military from Irian Jaya to create a feeling of
\nsafety among the local people.<\/p>\n
Umaraskat Sabuku, reading the statement, said the government
\nshould investigate mass atrocities committed by the military.<\/p>\n
"The central government has taken a financial advantage from
\nthe province for a long time and killed too many Papuan people,"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, a delegation from the National Liberation Army of
\nthe Free Papua Organization (TPN OPM) conveyed their aspirations
\nfor an independent West Papua state to Vice President Megawati
\nSoekarnoputri.<\/p>\n
The 44-strong delegation was led by commander in chief Gen.
\nBernardus Mawen.<\/p>\n
Megawati for her part insisted that any problems in West Papua
\nmust be resolved through dialog and not the use of force, Antara
\nreported.<\/p>\n
The Vice President, who visited Irian Jaya this month, said
\nthe main problem facing West Papuans today was their welfare.
\n(eba\/rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/papua-congress-to-rectify-history-opens-in-irian-jaya-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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