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.