Hostage release may discourage separatism

Hostage release may discourage separatism

JAKARTA (JP): Two observers say the recent success of the
Armed Forces (ABRI) in freeing nine people held hostage for
months by Free Papua Movement rebels will deter the separatist
movement and other similar organizations.

Maswadi Rauf of the University of Indonesia's School of Social
and Political Sciences and B.N. Marbun of House Commission I for
security and political affairs praised ABRI.

They expressed the expectation that the separatist movements
in various parts of Indonesia would cease activities in the face
of ABRI's expertise.

"The successful military operation has increased the image of
the Indonesian Armed Forces and government in the international
society," Maswadi told The Jakarta Post yesterday. "It has, on
the other hand, decreased, or even ruined the image of the rebel
group.

"It automatically lessened the moral and physical strength of
the secessionist movement," he said.

Both Maswadi and Marbun said ABRI had deployed the correct
strategies in handling the hostage situation. This, Maswadi said,
should dampen the tendency of some European countries to support
separatism in Indonesia.

"Those countries should now turn back and give their sympathy
to Indonesia," Maswadi said. "United public opinion may emerge in
those countries about how unreasonable the rebels were in holding
their citizens captive."

Indonesia recently denounced European Parliament President
Klaus Hansch for inviting the Free Papua Movement (OPM) to send a
delegation to the parliament's assembly in Strassbourg,
Australia, saying it constituted interference in the nation's
domestic affairs.

The European Parliament has committed "a blatant act of
interference in the internal affairs of Indonesia," the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs said.

Hansch sent a letter in February to OPM leaders proposing that
they send a delegation to visit and address the European
Parliament on human rights, cultural identity and environmental
concerns in Irian Jaya. According to sources, the letter also
suggested the possibility of asylum for OPM members.

House Speaker Wahono criticized the Parliament last month for
the invitation, reminding Hansch that it encouraged terrorism
that will affect not only Indonesia, but also the rest of the
world.

Maswadi also praised ABRI's decision to maintain the
"persuasive approach" and refrain from an immediate military
operation.

"I had earlier thought that ABRI was so slow in handling the
kidnapping. Yet, the decision eventually benefited the Armed
Forces and the government," he said.

B.N. Marbun said that ABRI has played its cards well,
maintaining its patience even in the face of strong pressure to
conduct a swift military action to end the hostage situation.

The OPM decision to cut communications with the rescue
operation forces, he said, had ruined their image and cost them
the international community's support.

Marbun, however, believed that ABRI could have done better and
prevented casualties. Two hostages, Navy Panekenan and Yosias
Matheis Lasamahu, were slain by the rebels.

"There shouldn't have been any victims," he said.

Marbun suggested that the government use a legal approach,
rather than a military approach to handling separatist rebels.

"The rebels, despite their political campaign, are also
Indonesians. Captured rebels should be brought to court for what
they have done," he said. (imn)