Government adamant Irian will remain in Indonesia

Government adamant Irian will remain in Indonesia

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid renewed on Monday
his tough warning to proindependence supporters in Irian Jaya,
saying he would do his best to keep Indonesia's sovereignty over
the easternmost province intact.

Speaking in a regular media conference at Bina Graha
presidential palace, Abdurrahman said the government would
maintain security and public order in the natural resource rich
territory following the Papuan Congress, which wound up on Sunday
with participants declaring their support for independence.

The President said the majority of the Papuan people actually
opted to remain part of Indonesia, but they were not allowed to
attend the congress by the rebellious minority.

He condemned proindependence people for intimidating pro-
Indonesian people by barring them from entering the congress
venue.

Abdurrahman said that although the government would not risk
losing Indonesia's sovereignty, it would not violate human rights
in upholding the law in the province.

"But besides that, we will also do our outmost to maintain
order, in the sense that the police, if necessary, assisted by
the military, will take actions to maintain the security of the
area and the province.

"If that means doing something to people without violating
human rights then they (security forces) will do that,"
Abdurrahman said.

The President also pointed out that he had ordered Minister of
Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab to summon foreign ambassadors in
Jakarta and told them about the diplomatic consequences the
countries would face from Indonesia if they did something against
the country's sovereignty.

"The countries have assured that they honor Indonesia's
territorial integrity including on Irian Jaya. Therefore they
will not take any action to acknowledge a free Papua," the
President said.

Without disclosing the amount, Abdurrahman also confirmed that
he had provided financial assistance for the congress.

He said the congress leaders agreed with his condition that
pro-Indonesian people would also be allowed to attend and that no
foreigners would be given access to the congress.

"There is money from the private sector which was channeled
through me. The fund was then used to finance the congress," the
President remarked.

Then acting state secretary Bondan Gunawan said last month,
Abdurrahman had donated Rp 1 billion to finance the congress.

Meanwhile, National Police Chief Gen. Rusdihardjo said police
would remain vigilant as to how things develop in the province.
He pledged that police personnel would not treat Papuans as their
enemies but as compatriots.

"We need to maintain our cool, they are all our brothers,"
Rusdihardjo said.

State Minister of Human Rights Affairs Hasballah M. Saad said
the government would summon the organizing committee of the
congress to Jakarta to brief them on the government's stance on
the congress.

"We, under the coordinating minister for political affairs and
security, will ask them about their demands and why the congress
went beyond their commitment to the government," Hasballah told
reporters on Monday.

Separately, the United States Embassy in Jakarta, issued a
statement on Monday, reiterating the country's support over
Indonesia's sovereignty on Irian Jaya.

The embassy confirmed it sent its diplomat as an observer to
the congress, but emphasized it was in accordance with normal
practices.

"The United States Government strongly supports the
territorial integrity of Indonesia. The U.S. does not support
independence for Papua or any other part of Indonesia," the
statement said.

A U.S. subsidiary company, copper and gold miner PT Freeport
Indonesia is operating in the rich oil and mineral resourced
province.

In the provincial capital Jayapura, a sea of people celebrated
the independence declaration with Yosim Pancar dances and the
performance of local music groups in an all night party on
Sunday. The celebration took place in the congress venue GOR
Sports Hall and the Irian Jaya Arts Council building.

In Wamena subdistrict, Jayapura, a group from the Papua Task
Force burnt down five houses after a brawl with some drunken
villagers. The villagers stabbed one of the militia members.

According to Antara, the villagers were upset because the task
force had forced Deky Naray to lend his car to be used during the
congress.

Meanwhile, military and police provided several trucks,
warships and planes to send home the congress participants.

"It is merely a humanitarian assistance," acting Irian Jaya
Governor Musiran said. (eba/dja/edt/cst/byg/prb)