Beware: Foreign NGOs

Beware: Foreign NGOs in Papua

From Koran Tempo

The Papuan issue is Indonesia's domestic affair and the nation will solve it on its own. Foreign non-governmental organizations only create confusion instead of helping local people, and the government should watch out for their activities in the country.

An analysis by the International Crisis Group (ICG) that I read in mid-April 2003 contains propaganda to discredit Indonesia in the world scene, particularly regarding the policy on Papua's expansion. Indirectly, ICG is assisting groups opposed to the government's policy, while it understands little about the history of Papua.

The ICG article has thus provoked Papuans into conflict, while sowing the seeds of enmity between indigenous people and resettlers. The government should act wisely and strictly against such provocation, if necessary by banning the group from operating in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, the government needs to implement the policy promptly and meaningfully, so that ordinary people in Papua can soon enjoy the benefit of this program.

ACHMAD ZAKY JUNEIDI Bogor, West Java