Jakarta weakens support for Papua's autonomy law

Jakarta weakens support for Papua's autonomy law

Neles Tebay, Pontifical, University of Urbaniana, Rome

Despite strong opposition from Papua, the government of
Indonesia installed Brig. Gen. (ret) Abraham O. Ataruri as acting
governor of West Irian Jaya, on Nov. 14. The installation clearly
marks the official split of West Irian Jaya from Papua province.

This very inauguration clearly undermines Papuan support for
Law No. 21/2001 on special autonomy for Papua province.

When Papuans raised the demand for independence, the
government offered special autonomy status. The government then
passed the Papua autonomy law, which was also internationally
supported.

Papuans were forced by the government to accept the special
autonomy law. The international community also took sides with
the government in persuading Papuans to welcome the law. In spite
of objections, Papuans began to see the benefits offered by the
law.

Yet, the government has undermined Papuan support for the law.

The undermining process began with the delay in working out
the governmental regulation for the establishment of the Papua
People's Assembly (MRP), which has until now yet to be
established.

It was strengthened by issuing the controversial presidential
instruction to divide Papua into three provinces, without the
approval of the MRP, as mandated by the Papua autonomy law.

The process of undermining culminated in the inauguration of
the new acting governor.

For Papuans, this inauguration is a clear indication that the
government has no willingness to implement the law at all.

It has offered the status of special autonomy, but it has now
been destroyed by the same government.

The Papua autonomy law is, therefore, no longer a means of
peaceful resolution of the Papua case, but simply a useless piece
of paper.

The government has again deceived Papuans, as happened 40
years ago on May 1, 1963.

Papuan support for the special autonomy law has been rejected
totally and undermined deliberately by the government through the
installation of the new acting governor of West Irian Jaya
province.

The government has also undermined the support given by the
European Union (EU). When Papuans demanded independence, the EU
supported Indonesia's territorial integrity and therefore was
committed to make the Papua autonomy law successful. The EU
commitment has been repeatedly expressed through resolutions
adopted by the Members of the European Parliament (MEP).

For the MEPs, the government's decision to divide Papua into
three provinces without the approval of the MRP "undermines the
special autonomy law for Papua" and consequently "EU commitments
regarding this special autonomy."

Rejecting the establishment of new provinces, the MEPs urged
the government to work toward the full implementation of Papua's
autonomy law "by finalizing and approving government regulations
regarding budgeting, legislative drafting and institutional
development, including the implementation of the MRP and a
commission for truth and reconciliation."

However, EU support for Indonesia's territorial integrity and
the Papua autonomy law has been rejected totally by the
government through the installation of the new acting governor of
West Irian Jaya province. It means that the government does not
need any support from the EU.

The government has also ignored support for the Papua autonomy
law by the American think-tank Council on Foreign Relations
(CFR). To support Papua autonomy within the Unitary Republic of
Indonesia, the CFR established an Indonesian commission led by
retired General Dennis C. Blair, with David L. Phillips as the
project director. The commission has offered some concrete steps
to encourage "full and effective implementation of special
autonomy." Seeing Papua autonomy as a win-win solution, the
commission believes, "Special autonomy preserves Indonesia's
territorial integrity while advancing the needs of Papuans."

However, the government has chosen a win-lose solution. It
means that the government has deliberately rejected all support
and goodwill expressed by the CFR commission.

By installing the new acting governor of West Irian Jaya, the
government has also undermined support for the Papua autonomy law
given by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Three countries in the
Pacific have clearly expressed their support for West Papua
independence. However, united in PIF, all the Pacific countries
"reiterated their support for special autonomy for Papua." The
PIF then urged the government "to expedite promulgation of the
necessary regulations and to take other steps needed to give
effect to special autonomy."

Consequently, the government has destroyed its own credibility
before other countries in dealing with the Papua case. Any
explanation from the government about its commitment to
implementing the Papua autonomy law will not convince the EU, PIF
and CFR, for they know that it is not Papuans but the government
that has no willingness to implement the law.

It will be a big challenge for the Indonesian foreign minister
and its embassies in convincing other countries.

Besides, the foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
united in the international solidarity movement for West Papua
will use the controversial moves of the government in their
campaign. They will try to convince their respective governments
to heed the cry for West Papua's freedom from oppression.

The campaign for West Papua's self-determination and call for
UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to review the UN's conduct before
and during the 1969 Act of Free Choice will be stronger.

It is very likely that many more NGOs, politicians and states
will support Papua's campaign, due to the unwise move of the
Indonesian government.

Should the government take military action in dealing with the
opposition of Papuans to the creation of the new province and the
inauguration of the new acting governor, then the international
community will not be silent.

The best way for the government to maintain Papua within the
Unitary Republic of Indonesia is therefore to rescind the
government's move to divide Papua without the approval of the
MRP, to implement the Papua autonomy law fully and effectively
and to engage in a peaceful dialogue with Papuans, mediated by a
third party. Otherwise, sooner or later, Papua will become the
next East Timor.