SYDNEY — Reconciliation and peaceful dialogue among West Papuans was the theme of the workshop of the West Papua Project, held at Sydney University on September 2-3. The WPP is based at the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at Sydney University and coordinated by Dr John Ondawame, who is also international spokesperson for the Free Papua Movement (OPM) and Asia-Pacific representative of the Papua Presidium Council (PDP).

A large proportion of the West Papuan independence movement's leadership attended, including several members of the PDP. The PDP was elected by the 3000-strong Papua People's Congress, which was held in September 2000.

Also present were John Rumbiak from the Jayapura-based Institute for Human Rights and Advocacy Studies (ELSHAM — West Papua's most prominent non-government organisation), and Paula Makabory from ELSHAM's branch in Timika, near the destructive Freeport and Grasberg mines. West Papua's church leaders, as well as academics and NGOs from both West Papua and Australia, also took part.

Participants discussed their views on the “special autonomy” status granted to West Papua by Jakarta in 2001 to counter demands for an East Timor-style referendum. Views were also exchanged on the threat from the Indonesian military (TNI) and pro-Indonesian militia group Laskar Jihad.

Outgunned by the TNI, the West Papuan leadership is shifting its emphasis towards a strategy of non-violence and dialogue with the Indonesian government and military. This peaceful strategy is threatened by TNI sabotage. The PDP's chairperson, Theys Eluay, was assassinated last November.

OPM Asia-Pacific delegate and PDP-appointed UN lobbyist Rex Rumakiek will speak at an Action in Solidarity with Asia and the Pacific forum in Sydney on September 12. Phone 9690 1977 for venue details. Visit the Australia West Papua Association web site at <http://www.zulenet.com/awpa>.

From Green Left Weekly, September 11, 2002.
Visit the Green Left Weekly home page. 

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