Irian Jaya chruch leaders say flag raising not a separatist sign

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): The plan to hoist the 'Morning Star' flag is just the way the Irianese express their demand for justice and more respect for human rights, church leaders say here.

Leaders of Christian denominations in Irian Jaya said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that the 'Morning Star' flag hoisting planned by the people on Dec. 1 should not be translated as an effort to separate from the nation.

Three mainline churches, including the Roman Catholic Church of the Jayapura diocese, the Evangelical Christian Church (GKI) and the Alliance and Christian Missionary (GKII) were among the nine denominations which jointly spoke out against injustice and rights abuses in the eastern province.

However, Chairman of the Christian Evangelical Church Rev. Herman Saud earlier expressed disagreement about the plan. "What's the use of hoisting the flag? It would be better and more sympathetic for the people to hold a mass prayer session," he said on Monday.

The church leaders urged on Tuesday that the President Abdurrahman Wahid's administration not to follow former governments' arrogance in dealing with Irian Jaya case.

"Leave the arrogance and start intensive dialog with the people," the statement said.

According to the churches, the recent demonstrations held by the Irianese were merely a way of expressing their long depressed aspirations.

Their aspirations and grievances had never been properly channeled, the church statements said, adding that more dialog between the government and the Irianese was needed.

The last dialog was held in February this year when then president B.J. Habibie met with 100 Irianese in Jakarta.

At the end of the statements, the church leaders called on the people to support the government's efforts in upholding democracy, human rights and the freedom of gathering and expressing opinions.

As earlier reported, the Irianese insisted on flying the 'Morning Star' flag on Dec. 1 to commemorate West Papua independence, which was declared on that date 38 years ago.

Irian Jaya Governor Freddy Numberi has called on them to cancel the plan as "hoisting the West Papua (Morning Star) flag in Indonesian territory was against the law."

The Irian Jaya Police chief, Brig. Gen. Silvianus Yulian Wenas said on Monday that the Irianese could, instead, channel their aspirations through the legislative council, or directly to President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who are slated to visit Irian Jaya on Dec. 31. (eba)