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