No agreement in West Papua

October 14, 1998
Issue 

By Linda Kaucher

Official Indonesian reports of a relaxing of the "military operations zone" status of Irian Jaya (West Papua), and of a cease-fire agreement with OPM (Free Papua Movement) activists, are contradicted by the OPM's denial of such an agreement and recent arbitrary arrests.

West Papuan anthropologist Don Flassy was arrested on September 29 for his involvement with the West Papuan Committee. He signed a letter which bore pictures of the West Papuan flag and crown bird — considered by Indonesia to be symbols of separatism.

Three other West Papuans have also been arrested for their involvement in the committee. They are Pentecostal minister Reverend Agustinus Ansanai and two government officials, Baas Yufuwai and Marinus Mehuwe.

Last month, Sem Yaru, a former political prisoner, distributed leaflets encouraging people to attend a pro-independence rally. After constant threats from the intelligence services against himself and his family, he gave himself up to authorities.

On October 2, two students were also arrested. Martinus Werimon from the social and politics faculty of Cenderawasih University and Ronald Tapilatu from the theological school of the Christian Evangelical Church had been leading protests against the attitude of the government, and urging the military to be restrained in its response to the wave of pro-independence demonstrations that began in July.

General Sembiring, head of the Trikora military region of Moluccas and Irian Jaya, claimed on September 30 that a cease-fire agreement had been reached with the OPM. However, activists who had met with the military to discuss a peace settlement say no such agreement was reached.

According to Sembiring, "Activities will be shifted to safeguard military areas" in the province, but the details of this replacement of "military operations" status with "control of critical area status" are not explained.

The general has suggested the possibility of troop withdrawals, but has not mentioned numbers or times. He adds that it would be "a pity" to withdraw troops who are helping villagers. (Troops withdrawn from the province of Aceh in recent months, to the cheers of locals, were returned to Aceh after some unrest in the area.)

People in Australia hear few reports from West Papua, other than official reports from the Indonesian government. The government's barring of journalists from the province for many years has been very effective in keeping events there hidden from the world.

Solidarity activists in Australia have issued an action alert to support the arrested West Papuans. Please phone, write or fax your request that they be given access to lawyers, family and friends; receive medical treatment if necessary; have their rights respected; and be released as soon as possible to:

Brigadier General Hotman Siagan
Head of Regional Police Irian Jaya
Jl. Sam Ratulangie No. 8
Jayapura, Irian Jaya
Ph 62 967 31014
Fax 62 967 33763.

Major General Amir Sembiring
Military Commander VIII Moluccas and Irian Jaya
Jl. Polimak Atas, Jayapura, Irian Jaya
Ph 62 967 33785
Fax 62 967 31642.

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