Govrnment told to solve Irian problems

Govrnment told to solve Irian problems

JAKARTA (JP): Activists urged the government to resolve the
problems which sparked the violence in Wamena, Irian Jaya,
earlier this month, saying lingering discord could trigger wider
turmoil more severe than the Maluku and Aceh conflicts combined.

Maj. Gen. (ret) Samsudin of the National Commission on Human
Rights said an escalation in the violence was possible, because
an antagonistic mood had permeated various sections of society in
the area.

Earlier, the Commission on Missing Persons and Victims of
Violence (Kontras) and the Institute for Policy Research and
Advocacy jointly suggested that the government hold political
negotiations with the Irianese on the overall situation in the
country's easternmost province.

Samsudin said the impact of the "localized" riot also caused a
division of groups: the mountain dwellers who are viewed as
independence supporters, and those living in coastal areas and
migrants, who are seen as anti-independence.

It also is feared that the actions of security forces will
aggravate the situation further, widening what was a communal
conflict between these clusters into one which would also involve
the security forces, he said.

Violence in Wamena, some 290 kilometers southwest of the
provincial capital of Jayapura, erupted on Oct. 6 after security
forces tried to take down separatist Morning Star flags. At least
31 people died in the violence, most of them migrants.

Local police have questioned 23 people over the clashes,
including five members of the proindependence Papuan Presidium
Council.

Samsudin, who visited Wamena shortly after the violence,
warned that what could develop is a combination of the crisis in
Maluku, where there is widespread community animosity, and Aceh,
where there is armed opposition against the authorities.

To prevent further outbreaks of violence, Samsudin urged the
government to promote a community reconciliation presided over by
local elders, without involving the military, police or local
officials.

"The police or military cannot arrest the culprits believed to
have instigated the Oct. 6 riot because it would likely increase
people's resistance, which eventually could lead to another armed
conflict," he told The Jakarta Post.

"We suggest a reconciliation prior to a peace-making ceremony
among the sectors of society, thereby not abandoning the rights
of the riot victims," he said during a break in a plenary meeting
of the rights commission here.

Samsudin said he was informed by a police officer that the
police were hesitant to take action against the instigators of
the incident because they wanted to avoid an escalation of the
conflict.

"Everyone should handle this delicate problem carefully, and
it must be done quickly," Samsudin said. (bby)