Government asks for calm amid debate over Papua

Government asks for calm amid debate over Papua

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In an apparent attempt to calm the public, the government says it
will refrain from paying too much attention to a move to question
Indonesia's sovereignty over Papua.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono though put the Papuan issue
among those he consulted defense minister Juwono Sudarsono and
Indonesian Military (TNI) Commander Gen. Endriartono Sutarto over
on Wednesday.

Juwono said after the meeting the government was confident its
policies on Papua, Aceh and Maluku would work well and strengthen
"the feeling of unity in a fairer way".

"We will continue to implement decentralization and (the
establishment of) local administrations, which are expected to be
able to boost the pride and honor of people in Papua, Aceh and
Maluku," Juwono said.

Two United States congressmen have proposed a bill to question
the validity of the process prior to the 1969 referendum in
Papua, which they said took place in "circumstances that were
subject to both overt and covert forms of manipulation". The bill
also mentions widespread human rights violations allegedly
involving the Indonesian Military as a factor that has
exacerbated the condition in Papua.

During the referendum, 1,025 selected Papuan elders voted
unanimously to join Indonesia. Sporadic, but low-level insurgence
has flared up in the natural resource-rich province since then.

The government granted Papua special autonomy in 2001, which
allows it to enjoy the lion's share of revenue from the
exploitation of its natural resources.

New tension has arisen following the government decision to
speed up the partition of Papua into smaller provinces in the
absence of the Papuan People's Assembly (MRP) last year.

Juwono said the government would not file a protest with the
U.S. government.

"The President has said that he dislikes the move of the two
U.S. congressmen who raised this issue. But, he has also said
just now, let it be.

"It's the essence of the game in the U.S. Congress. They are
legislators who want to go on stage once in a while. A 15-second
appearance on television is not bad, is it?" Juwono said.

He said the government was not surprised by the move, because
the Papua issue always surfaced around Aug. 15.

Juwono also accused several non-governmental organizations,
media and several parliament members in Europe and the United
States of blowing the issue out of proportion.

"But as a big nation, we should not be nervous, nor uneasy, if
in the last couple of days the issue (Papua) has appeared in
international forums. If we lose our tempers, they will be happy.
So, let's stay cool," Juwono said.

Earlier in the day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan
Wirayuda said Indonesia would lobby the U.S. government regarding
the Papua matter.

"There is an Indonesia caucus in the U.S. Congress. I will
meet one of the members, who is visiting Jakarta." Hassan said.

The U.S. has repeatedly voiced its support for Indonesia's
territorial integrity, including during the visit of Susilo in
June and former president Megawati Soekarnoputri in 2001 to
Washington.

Despite their support for national unity, Papuan leaders have
urged the government to renew its commitment to implementing
special autonomy status there, They asked the government to prove
its willingness to develop Papua, instead of sending military
troops to the province.