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
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June 7, 2000