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.