Papuan independence leader facing a test of integrity

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)