Papua congress to 'rectify' history opens in Irian Jaya

Papua congress to 'rectify' history opens in Irian Jaya

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): A landmark congress on the future
of Irian Jaya opened on Monday amid appeals from Jakarta for West
Papuans to remain within the republic.

Many delegates arrived at the one-week Papuan People's
Congress, being held in the Cenderawasih sports stadium here,
hoping for a resolution to call for secession from Indonesia.

The territory, now referred to as West Papua by locals, was a
Dutch colony until 1963, after which it became part of Indonesia
and was named Irian Jaya. While President Abdurrahman Wahid has
agreed to change the name to West Papua, the decision has not yet
been formally endorsed by the People's Consultative Assembly.

A youth choir sang hymns and other pieces, including
Beethoven's Ode to Joy, to kick off the congress. A series of
prayers followed before work began on laying down the rules and
procedures for the gathering.

Many of the cars jamming main roads leading to the stadium had
"Morning Star" separatist flags hanging from them.

The congress, attended by 2,780 delegates representing
different ethnic and professional groups, is being held in a
festive atmosphere.

The opening day was attended by Irian Jaya acting governor
Musiran Darmosuwito, and local civic, military and religious
leaders.

The theme of the gathering is "Let us correct the history of
West Papua."

"The history of West Papua should be reviewed to uncover the
truth, the truth that could save the Papuans," Agus Alua,
chairman of the congress' organizing committee, said.

Musiran told journalists earlier that the question of
secession from Indonesia would not be discussed.

"The congress is only to straighten history, it is not for
independence," Musiran said, recalling what the organizers had
told President Abdurrahman Wahid in Jakarta earlier this year.

The natural resource-rich territory of Irian Jaya was formally
recognized by the United Nations in 1969.

Most neighborhoods of Jayapura were empty on Monday as
residents converged on the stadium for the congress.

Entry to the congress was strictly limited to delegates and
invitees. The congress's own security force, wearing black T-
shirts, checked ID cards and bags at the entrance gate.

No security forces or police were seen in or around the venue,
leaving the security of the congress entirely up to by some 750
members of the congress security force.

In Jakarta, a seminar attended by youths and community leaders
from Irian Jaya closed with a statement saying that separation
from Indonesia was not the ideal solution to the Irian Jaya
problem.

"Separatist activities have escalated in reaction to prolonged
human rights abuses and the military's presence in the province,"
according to a statement.

The seminar called on the government to stop violence and to
withdraw the military from Irian Jaya to create a feeling of
safety among the local people.

Umaraskat Sabuku, reading the statement, said the government
should investigate mass atrocities committed by the military.

"The central government has taken a financial advantage from
the province for a long time and killed too many Papuan people,"
he said.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the National Liberation Army of
the Free Papua Organization (TPN OPM) conveyed their aspirations
for an independent West Papua state to Vice President Megawati
Soekarnoputri.

The 44-strong delegation was led by commander in chief Gen.
Bernardus Mawen.

Megawati for her part insisted that any problems in West Papua
must be resolved through dialog and not the use of force, Antara
reported.

The Vice President, who visited Irian Jaya this month, said
the main problem facing West Papuans today was their welfare.
(eba/rms)