Solution to Papua issue still far away: Bishop<\/p>\n
CARINGIN, Bogor, West Java (JP): A comprehensive solution to
\nthe Irian Jaya problem is still far way as both the government
\nand the proindependence Papua Council Presidium (PDP) refuse to
\nbudge from their respective positions, Jayapura Bishop Mgr. Leo
\nLaba Ladjar OFM said.<\/p>\n
Leo criticized the government for not doing enough to break
\nthe deadlock while support for the separatist resistance seems to
\nbe growing.<\/p>\n
\"Following the appointment of Gen. Surojo Bimantoro as
\nNational Police chief, the security authorities have taken a
\nrepressive stance in quelling activities aimed at separating the
\nprovince from the Indonesian unitary state while the local people
\nare of the opinion that their land is being occupied and they are
\nfacing a colonial administration that must be driven away,\" he
\ntold The Jakarta Post here on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Leo, an influential spiritual figure in the province,
\nregretted the use of force in the lowering of the Morning Star
\nseparatist flags that led to the violent riot in the hinterland
\ntown of Wamena, saying it inflicted an unforgivable wound in the
\nhearts of the indigenous population.<\/p>\n
He added that an independent fact-finding team set up by the
\nPapuan Religious Leaders Council, which he himself chairs, was
\nstill investigating the incident.<\/p>\n
The bishop conceded that the Morning Star flag had been widely
\naccepted by the locals as a symbol of the province's
\nindependence.<\/p>\n
That was why the people in Wamena were angered when their
\nflags were torn and dumped as trash, he said.<\/p>\n
\"Following the weeklong bloody riot in Wamena, the situation
\nin the province is still tense, the government has reinforced the
\npresence of military and police personnel in urban and rural
\nareas but the Free Papua separatist movement has won the hearts
\nof the majority of the Irianese people,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Leo said despite the restored security and order in the town,
\nthe incident has sowed a deep hatred for the government, with
\nmost Irianese no longer believing in the government's good will
\nin seeking a comprehensive solution to the problem.<\/p>\n
\"Up to now, the relationship between the indigenous people and
\nmigrants are not as friendly as it was in the past. Security
\nauthorities, especially the reinforced Mobile Brigade, have gone
\nahead with their repressive approach, and rebels with the
\ncooperation of their supporters have accelerated their
\nresistance.<\/p>\n
\"Under such a tense situation where people are suspicious of
\none another, minor problems can trigger major violence similar to
\nthe Wamena incident,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Leo warned the government and security authorities of a
\npossible escalation of separatist activities.<\/p>\n
He said despite the reinforced security, the situation could
\nbe dangerous if the separatist movement gains sufficient supply
\nof weapons from its overseas supporters. He added that rebels
\nliving in the deep forest also controlled strategic areas.<\/p>\n
\"And, if physical confrontation between the government and the
\nrebels continues, no peaceful solution can be reached,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Asked on a role that can be played by religious leaders in
\nmediating the problem in the predominantly Christian province,
\nLeo said the churches had taken a neutral position.<\/p>\n
\"We are ready to do so... but, for which side?. Of course, the
\nCatholic church has to take the people's side for the sake of
\nhumanity and faith, not politics,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said it would be better for the government to commence
\ndialogs with all sides, while accelerating development in all
\nfields, to gradually regain the people's confidence.<\/p>\n
\"With the strong influence of the Church, the indigenous
\npeople will gradually gain more confidence in the Indonesian
\nstate and forget the issue of independence.<\/p>\n
\"But the government has to be serious in developing the
\nprovince and security authorities must abandon their repressive
\napproach and bring a new mission to protect the people to create
\na feeling of security among them,\" he said. (rms)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/solution-to-papua-issue-still-far-away-bishop-1447893297",
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