WEST PAPUA: Overwhelming support for independence

West Papua: Strong Support for independence

A congress on May 29-June 4 in Jayapura city, West Papua, has called
for steps to forge an independent West Papua. The Morning Star flag, banned
symbol of West Papuan independence, was flying every day during the conference
and the 3000 participants from all regions of the province unanimously
declared their desire for independence.

The Jakarta Post reported that on June 3 the congress's political affairs
committee officially adopted a five-point draft resolution affirming that
"West Papua is not a part of Indonesia", guaranteeing the rights of non-indigenous
people and directing the presidium council to seek international recognition
for independence. The congress is expected to formally proclaim the declaration
on its last meeting day.

Addressing the congress, Theys H. Eluay said, "The declaration does
not mean Papua is separating from Indonesia because legally, and according
to our history, Papua never became part of Indonesia".

Other topics discussed were steps to revise Papuan history, introduce
laws for the security and protection of Papuan people, human rights, and
economic and political development. But high expectations on independence
are what brought most people to the congress. "The congress is potentially
explosive. The people want a lot", commented John Rumbiak of ELS-HAM,
the main Papuan human rights group.

Delegates were split over how to achieve independence: whether to declare
independence immediately, during the conference, or to conduct discussions
with Indonesia, the United Nations and the Netherlands to formulate a negotiated
road to independence.

A 60-page document was presented which detailed a plan for a "state
of Papua", including plans for a federal republic with six territories,
a two-house parliament, a prime minister elected for four years, the Dutch
guilder as the currency and the Morning Star as the country's flag. The
Jakarta Post reported on June 2 that delegates called for a declaration
of independence.

According to an Agence France Presse report, the congress went into
closed session on May 31. The chairperson of the congress, Thaha Alhamid,
said the session was needed to clarify the question of forming a provisional
government, which if agreed to, would mean that "Indonesia would kill
us".

Although the vote on the independence motion was delayed, the number
of voting members was increased to 501 (from 420) to accommodate demands
for representation from former political prisoners and freedom fighters.
Reports indicate that a majority of delegates support negotiations rather
than an immediate declaration.

On June 2, the congress rejected calls to set up a provisional government
in exile. "This would justify the Indonesian army and police to launch
an operation to wipe us out", student Fadal Alhamid told the Jakarta Post.

Before the congress, Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid changed
his mind about opening the congress after intelligence officials and vice-president
Megawati Sukarnoputri told him that doing so would amount to supporting
independence demands.

As soon as it became clear that pro-independence views dominated the
congress, Indonesian government officials condemned the congress as "unrepresentative"
and warned delegates against overstepping the mark. "If their action is
intended to separate, the government will take stern action", said state
secretary Bondan Gunawan. He added, "The president rejects the demands
... for freedom". Foreign affairs minister, Alwi Shihab said, "If the
discussions go too far and they, for instance, use the meeting to declare
Papua's independence, I think we have to react".

Wahid donated 1 billion rupiah (US$125,000) for the congress and offered
an autonomy package to appease the independence movement. The package includes
increased political and economic control for the province. The wealth of
resources in this province of some 2.5 million people is immensely important
to Indonesia's elite.

On May 25, Indonesia's human rights minister, Hasballah Said, announced
that human rights abuses since the 1969 occupation by Indonesia would be
investigated. As well, minor measures have been taken at the Freeport gold
and copper mine after an accident killed four workers and sent chemicals
into the Wanagon River.

However, a 44-member delegation from the of Free Papua Movement (OPM),
which met with Wahid on May 27 and Sukarnoputri on May 29, said they would
refuse any offers that fail to accommodate the aspirations of West Papuans.
The congress has demonstrated what those aspirations are.

Australian foreign affairs minister Alexander Downer and Prime Minister
John Howard issued statements last week supporting Indonesian sovereignty
and "integrity", and again recognising the integration of West Papua
into Indonesia. Papua New Guinea provincial governor John Tekewie, who
is attending the congress, called on Australia, the Netherlands and the
United States to make up for their support for Indonesia's occupation of
West Papua by supporting moves towards independence.

Indonesia is unlikely to give in to West Papua's independence demands
and there are reports of Indonesian armed forces-backed militia activity
inside the province. For regular updates, visit http://www.kabar-irian.com.

BY MARK ABBERTON

————————-

June 7, 2000

From GLW issue 408