Irian provincial council visits House to demand independence

JAKARTA (JP): A delegation of community leaders and provincial council members from Irian Jaya met with the House of Representatives to deliver seven demands, culminating in independence for Indonesia's eastern most province.

The leader of the delegation Nataniel Kaiway said in a meeting with House leaders that the legislature should deliberate these demands with the government.

"We have no channel other than the House in seeking a comprehensive and peaceful solution to the Irian problem. And the situation in the territory will continue to be tense if the government and the House ignore the Irian people's suffering," he said.

Kaiway said the key problem in Irian was the central government's unfair treatment of local Irianese, which included human rights violations.

The seven demands presented were:

* An international dialog as a follow-up to the national dialog between the Irian representatives and former president B.J. Habibie at the State Palace in February.

* The release of all Irianese political prisoners.

* The Irian Jaya provincial and regency councils be allowed to hold a general session to channel the Irian people's demand for West Papuan independence.

* The withdrawal of all military and police personnel from the territory.

* A thorough investigation into human rights violations from 1961 through to 1999 in the territory.

* The recognition of a West Papuan state with Port Numbay (Jayapura) as its capital.

* The hoisting of United Nations, Indonesian and West Papuan flags as of May 2000 in the territory until a comprehensive solution to the problem is found.

Herman Awam, representing the Forum for Reconciliation in Irian Jaya (Foreri), criticized the governments' actions against Irianese activists.

"The changing of West Papua into Irian Jaya, and the killing of activists branded as separatists are strong evidence of the government's colonial policy to cleanse the West Papuan people who declared their independence on Dec. 1, 1961," he said.

Karel Lukas Degey, a legislator from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan), criticized the government's ignorance of the Irian problem, which, according to him, was as crucial as that of Aceh.

"The Irianese people have long aired their aspirations, including cries against injustice and massive killings, but the government has paid them no serious attention. This has led the Irianese to conclude that Irian Jaya is not part of Indonesia," he said, citing that ethnically the tribes in Irian Jaya were part of the Macronesia ethnic group.

Alhamid Thoha, representing the Irianese Muslim community, slammed former presidents Soeharto and B.J. Habibie for having no commitment to progress in the province.

"Irian Jaya under the two former national leaders made no progress. Most people are still living below the poverty line while most of the revenue from the exploitation of natural resources is taken to Jakarta. The two ex-presidents only eyed the province's gold, oil and copper," he said.

He urged President Abdurrahman Wahid to visit the province and hold a dialog with locals.

"Irianese are still awaiting the President and want to hold a dialog to end their suffering," Alhamid remarked.

He added that people in Irian Jaya were disappointed with the central government's decision to divide Irian Jaya into three provinces.

"We don't need division. What we need is the government's attention," asserted.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung, who along with House deputy speakers received the Irian Jaya delegation, vowed to bring up the Irian issue with the government.

"But, we are not in the position to hold a dialog with you. We will bring your demands to the next consultation with the President next month," he said.(rms)