U.S. lawmakers urge dialog to settle Irian issue
U.S. lawmakers urge dialog to settle Irian issue
WASHINGTON (AFP): U.S. legislators are urging dialog between Jakarta and the separatist eastern province of Irian Jaya, ahead of a visit to Indonesia by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.
Five House members urged President B.J. Habibie to launch "a genuine process of dialog ... (as) the most constructive means of resolving the longstanding and ongoing human rights problems in Irian Jaya."
The letter, dated Feb. 25 and released here on Tuesday, called for a clear understanding among participants of the process and substance of talks, for international scrutiny, and for adequate preparation time.
It also urged implementing independent mechanisms for studying human rights violations and relocating the dialog from Jakarta to the provincial capital, Jayapura, to make the process more transparent.
And it asked Habibie to release Irian Jaya separatists jailed for peaceful expressions of their desire for independence.
The letter was seen here just ahead of Albright's arrival on Thursday in Jakarta for talks with top Indonesian officials.
One of her top concerns is Indonesia's transition to a genuine democracy.
House members signing the letter were Republican Christopher Smith of New Jersey, Republican John Porter of Illinois, Democrat Howard Berman of California, Democrat Cynthia McKinney of Georgia, and Democrat Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa.
A separatist movement fighting for a free West Papua state has been active in Irian Jaya since the former Dutch colony of Western New Guinea became an Indonesian province.
Renewed calls for a Free West Papua followed the resignation of President Soeharto last May, and clashes between security forces and separatists left many casualties in Irian Jaya last year.
On Friday, some 100 Irian Jaya leaders met with President Habibie to press their demand for a Free Papua state. It was their first dialog over the future of Irian Jaya, which shares a land border with independent Papua New Guinea.
Habibie did not give a direct response to the demand but asked the representatives "to ponder again well," Minister/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung said later.