Papuan independence leader facing a test of integrity

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya (JP): The rejection by the Papua Presidium chairman Theys Hiyo Eluay of a police summons for an alleged treasonous action has sparked controversy among proindependence students.

Some of them described his refusal as a reflection of his irresponsibility.

Diaz Gwijangge, chairman of the Association of Papua Students originating from the Central Highland of Papua, insisted that as the chairman of the Proindependence Presidium, Theys should be ready to face the consequences of his role in the independence struggle.

Diaz, a student of Cendrawasih University, said Theys could not just take President Abdurrahman Wahid's approval of the recent Papuan People's Congress as an excuse to escape from the police investigation.

"Theys can just blame President Gus Dur because Gus Dur does not support the independence of West Papua as decided by the congress," Diaz said in reference to the president.

Gerson Abrauw, a student at Christian Protestant Theological College, said, Theys should prove himself a hero who is ready to sacrifice everything, if necessary his life, for his struggle in leading the independence movement in Irian Jaya.

"If Theys is fighting for the truth, he must have the courage to face all possible consequences, including to face the police," said Gerson.

According to Irian Jaya deputy police chief Col. Thamrin S., police have questioned all five congress leaders except Theys.

Theys along with Papuan Presidium secretary general Thaha Alhamid have been named suspects in treason against the state. Agus Alue Alua, Rev. Herman Awom and John Mambor were questioned last week.

"According to law, the will to establish a state within a state is classified as a move against the law," Thamrin said on Saturday.

Thamrin confirmed that Abdurrahman permitted the congress, but never supported any separatist movement.

Theys said he would agree to be questioned only after police investigate Abdurrahman because the President did not only grant a permit, but provided a Rp 1 billion donation for the congress organizers.

"If the police want to interrogate Presidium members, they have to examine the President first," said Theys, who announced last week the Presidium's planned meeting with the President next Sunday.

Theys, the chief of the 31 member-presidium which was assigned by the congress to lead the territory's independence struggle, is facing serious leadership tests.

Members of the Independent Papua Commission (KPP) expressed their disappointment after Theys vetoed their plan to hoist the Free Papua Movement (OPM) Morning Star flags throughout the province on Monday.

Citing Theys, KIP secretary Zadrak Taime said the flag could only be raised on Dec. 1 to commemorate the independence declaration by Papua tribal leaders on Dec. 1, 1961.

According to Zadrak, they initially planned to raise the flag along with the national flag, as required by the President.

Antara reported that other KIP executives also regretted Theys' plan to attend the opening ceremony of the 15th National Games (PON) in Surabaya on Monday because the games were organized by the central government.

Meanwhile, Church leaders again warned the government not to hide the truth behind the killing of three proindependence youths in Nabire, saying such a cover-up was counterproductive to the government's efforts to restore people's trust toward the government.

Jayapura Catholic Bishop Leo Laba Fadjar expressed his disappointment with the government for its reluctance to honestly disclose the results of its investigation, although the church has submitted its own investigation result to police.

"Our decision to uncover the human rights abuse, is not based on a hatred against the security forces and the government, but because we want to settle the case quickly," the bishop told journalists at a media briefing on Friday.

Manase Erary, 28, Maximus Bunay, 27, and Dapius Sani, 16, were killed early in March, when a group of youths clashed with the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) after they raised separatist flags. (eba/prb)