U.S. lawmakers chide Indonesia on West Papua

U.S. lawmakers chide Indonesia on West Papua

UNITED STATES: Thirty-five members of the U.S. Congress have called on Indonesia to lift travel restrictions to West Papua and halt the military buildup in the province where a rebellion has simmered for decades.

"Despite efforts to impede access by international journalists and human rights and humanitarian workers, we are aware that operations in the highlands have resulted in numerous human rights violations since August 2004," lawmakers said in a letter on Thursday to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

It also called for a halt to new military operations there and said, "churches, human rights organizations and regional parliamentarians are reporting that thousands of villagers have been forced to flee these military operations."

The letter, spearheaded by Reps. Chris Smith, a New Jersey Republican, and Sam Farr, a California Democrat, commended Indonesia for changing visa policies to Aceh province after the tsunami disaster in December.

"We write to encourage you to continue with these positive steps by opening up access to West Papua," the lawmakers said. -- Reuters