PRESIDEN INDONESIA MINTA DUNIA HORMATI INTEGRASI NKRI, SEMENTARA WARGANYA DIBANTAI HABIS-HABISAN DI INDONESIA

Jakarta 16 Agustus 2013: Presiden Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) meminta dunia agar menghormati integarsi negara Indonesia. Presiden berharap agar dunia tidak terus mengganggu dan memprovokasi kesatuan Negara Kesatua Republik Indonesia (NKRI), tertutama untuk provinsi Aceh dan Papua.   

“Aceh dan Papua adalah bagian tak terpisahkan dari NKRI. Ini adalah harga mati bagi Indonesia. Ini dipahami semua pihak, baik di dalam dan luar negeri. Menghindari propaganda dan provokasi yang ganggu keutuhan NKRI,” kata Presiden SBY saat menyampaikan pidato kenegaraan di depan anggota DPR dan DPD di Jakarta, Jumat (16/8).   

Sidang dipimpin Ketua DPD Irman Gusman, dihadiri Wakil Presiden Boediono. Tampak pula mantan Presiden BJ Habibie, mantan Wakil Presiden Hamzah Haz, dan Jusuf Kalla. Presiden mengemukakan selama ini bangsa Indonesia senantiasa menghormati keutuhan dan integrasi negara lain. Indonesia tidak pernah ganggu atau provokasi wilayah negara lain.   

Dengan spirit itu, maka Presiden meminta agar negara lain juga menghormati dan menjaga hubungan baik dengan Indonesia. Negara lain hendaknya tidak menyakiti hati rakyat Indonesia dengan memprovokasi dan propaganda terhadap sejumlah wilayah di Indonesia agar memisahkan diri dari NKRI.   

“Selama ini, kita senantiasa menghormati kedaulatan  dan integritas wilayah negara lain, negara-negara sahabat Indonesia. Oleh karena itu, kita berharap prinsip yang sama juga diterapkan secara resiprokal.  Melalui penegasan ini saya berharap, agar semua pihak bekerja secara aktif untuk mencegah aktivitas politik yang dapat mengakibatkan terganggunya hubungan baik Indonesia dengan negara-negara sahabat.  Jangan lukai perasaan bangsa Indonesia, karena kami juga tidak ingin melukai bangsa lain,” tutur Presiden.   

Presiden mengemukakan konflik di Aceh telah berhasil diakhiri secara damai. Kini saatnya, segenap elemen masyarakat Aceh membangun masa depan yang lebih sejahtera, aman dan damai.   

“Saya mengajak kita semua untuk terus menghindari segala hal yang berpotensi menciptakan kemunduran, dan kembali ke situasi tidak aman seperti yang kita alami pada masa lalu. Semua pihak, termasuk kalangan yang ada di Aceh, dengan sepenuh hati saya harapkan sungguh memegang teguh semangat dan ketulusan hati untuk mengubur konflik di masa lalu, dan kemudian melangkah ke depan untuk membangun diri, dalam naungan NKRI,” tegasnya.   

Dia juga mengatakan, masalah Papua terus diupayakan pendekatan kesejahteraan dan percepatan pembangunan. Penegakan hukum dan keamanan dilakukan dengan tetap memberikan penghormatan pada Hak-hak Asasi Manusia, dan kekhususan budaya masyarakat Papua. Menurutnya, pemerintah pusat terus meningkatkan besaran anggaran untuk mempercepat dan memperluas pembangunan di Papua. Saat ini, berbagai program pembangunan infrastruktur tengah berlangsung secara intensif di berbagai wilayah Papua.   

“Kita juga sedang merancang suatu formula Otonomi Khusus, yang mampu memberikan nilai tambah dan terobosan baru bagi terwujudnya kemajuan dan kemuliaan Papua,” ungkapnya. [R-14]  

PAPUAN CULTURAL RALLIES HELD ACROSS WEST PAPUA IN PAPUA

Papuan cultural rallies held across West Papua and Indonesia

AUGUST 16, 2013

On 15th August 2013, in rejection of the so called “New York Agreement”, in support of West Papua joining the Melanesian Spearhead Group and in support of the new Free West Papua Campaign office opening in the Netherlands, mass Cultural Parade rallies were held all over West Papua and throughout Indonesia.

Despite the police ban on the demonstrations and heavy police presence, including tanks, demonstrations went ahead peacefully in Nabire, Timika, Jayapura, Biak and Jakarta.

In an interview with Radion New Zealand (RNZI) the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation’s Paula Makabory told Johnny Blades the demonstrations appear to have proceeded harmoniously.

PAULA MAKABORY: And in fact even though eight people were arrested on the preparations for the rally yesterday before on the 13th August but yesterday they keep doing the rally and also some students from AMP organisations and KNPB were together they did the rally as well in the city of Java.

JOHNNY BLADES: So it sounds like there wasn’t an excessive response from the security forces?

PM: Yeah I think there is no shooting and they didn’t stop the rally even though the police banned it so the main point is you can see how strong the West Papuan would like to stand up to spread the message out here and their rights, especially the right to self-determination. They all stand up also for the same message to support the opening office of the Free West Papuan movement in the Hague, in the Netherlands.

JB: And do you think that the Indonesian security forces are becoming a bit more reasonable in their approach, in their response to these sorts of occasions?

PM: I think after Indonesia being criticised at the UN critical reviews of the Human Rights Committee this is like a positive attitude, while really on the ground, you cannot control them. So for me you cannot say yes or no to these situations because they can do anything anywhere anytime to the West Papuan.

JB: There’s a cultural element to a lot of these demonstrations in that they are displaying their Melanesia roots.

PM: Yeah I think the message is quite strong and especially it was done yesterday in memory of that New York Agreement back in the 15th of August 1962 where I think the claims of the West Papuan there is really strong which is they would like to know the legality of this agreement. Then the legality of the Act Of Free Choice back in 1969 and the legality of the Freeport McMoRan deal even before the Act Of Free Choice took place. And here on this ground in West Papua with all the cultural rallies yesterday with the strong support and calling for the right to self-determination of the West Papuan they would like to show the whole region of Pacific Islands or Melanesian countries and the world that they still don’t think that they belong under Indonesian rule.

UNDANG-UNDANG OTONOMI PLUS DI PAPUA ADALAH JIPLAKAN ASLI DARI UU OTSUS DI ACEH DI PAPUA.

“Kepada Yth. Gubernur, Ketua DPRP, Ketua MRP, para Bupati dan Walikota di seluruh tanah Papua, saya sudah baca naskah akademis pokok-pokok pemikiran RUU Pemerintahan Papua. Isinya aneh tapi nyata. (1) halaman 89 pasal 1, penyiaran di Papua berdasarkan nilai Islam; (2) tentang TNI, halaman 99, nomor 5, tindak pidana TNI di Aceh; (3) Tentang kepolisian, halaman 100 nomor 6, pemberhentian kepolisian Aceh. Pertanyaan saya adalah, (a). Mengapa siaran berita di Papua harus bernuansa Islam? (b). Mengapa TNI dan Polri di Aceh, bukan Papua? Kesimpulan iman saya, (a) Tuhan maha adil sedang menunjukan kejatahan besar yang dilakukan pemerintah Indonesia terhadap umat TUHAN di tanah Papua, (b) Naskah akademis ini hasil jiplak atau copy paste dari naskah UU Pemerintah Aceh. Ini benar-benar jahat, dan harus dibung ke tong sampah, karena sangat tidak layak demi masa depan Orang Asli Papua,” tulis Yoman melalui pesan singkat, yang juga di teruskan ke redaksi media ini.

Rancangan Undang-Undang (RUU) Pemerintahan Papua yang sebelumnya disebut dengan RUU Otsus Plus sebaiknya dibuang ke tong sampah, sebab sangat tidak layak untuk masa depan Orang Asli Papua (OAP).

Hal ini ditegaskan Ketua Umum Persekutuan Gereja-Gereja Baptis Papua (PGBP), Pdt. Socratez Sofyan Yoman, ketika menghubungi suarapapua.com, Kamis (22/8/2013). Menurut Yoman, dirinya pantas mengatakan demikian sebab telah membaca secara detail pokok-pokok pemikiran naskah akademis RUU Pemerintahan Papua yang merupakan hasil jiplakan dari UU Pemerintah Aceh.

“Saya sudah membaca dengan teliti naskah RUU tersebut. Ini benar-benar jahat dan harus dibuang ke tong sampah,” ujar pendeta yang telah menulis sekitar 17 buah buku tentang persoalan di tanah Papua.

Bentuk protes dan penolakan pendeta Yoman terhadap RUU Pemerintah Papua, ia juga telah mengirim pesan singkat (SMS) kepada Gubernur Papua, dan berbagai stakeholder di pemerintah.

“Kepada Yth. Gubernur, Ketua DPRP, Ketua MRP, para Bupati dan Walikota di seluruh tanah Papua, saya sudah baca naskah akademis pokok-pokok pemikiran RUU Pemerintahan Papua. Isinya aneh tapi nyata. (1) halaman 89 pasal 1, penyiaran di Papua berdasarkan nilai Islam; (2) tentang TNI, halaman 99, nomor 5, tindak pidana TNI di Aceh; (3) Tentang kepolisian, halaman 100 nomor 6, pemberhentian kepolisian Aceh. Pertanyaan saya adalah, (a). Mengapa siaran berita di Papua harus bernuansa Islam? (b). Mengapa TNI dan Polri di Aceh, bukan Papua? Kesimpulan iman saya, (a) Tuhan maha adil sedang menunjukan kejatahan besar yang dilakukan pemerintah Indonesia terhadap umat TUHAN di tanah Papua, (b) Naskah akademis ini hasil jiplak atau copy paste dari naskah UU Pemerintah Aceh. Ini benar-benar jahat, dan harus dibung ke tong sampah, karena sangat tidak layak demi masa depan Orang Asli Papua,” tulis Yoman melalui pesan singkat, yang juga di teruskan ke redaksi media ini.

Direktur Eksekutif Lembaga Penelitian Pengabdian dan Bantuan Hukum (LP3BH) Manokwari, Yan Christian Warinussy  sebelumnya telah meminta agar pemerintah Indonesia tidak membuat langkah yang keliru dengan mensyahkan Undang-Undang Otonomi Khusus Plus menggantikan UU No. 21 tahun 2001 tentang Otonomi Khusus Papua.

“Presiden Republik Indonesia jangan membuat langkah yang keliru, ceroboh, amburadul dan bersifat inkonstitusional dengan menawarkan rencana pemberian UU Otsus plus yang tidak lain dari Undang Undang Pemerintahan Papua, padahal selama ini mayoritas rakyat Papua telah mendesak pentingnya diselenggarakan Dialog Damai yang bermartabat, netral dan terbuka dengan pemerintah Jakarta,” ujar Warinussy, beberapa waktu lalu.

Menurut Warinussy, dengan diusulkannya UU Otsus Plus, maka Presiden SBY dan jajaran pemerintahnya tentu membuat situasi di tanah Papua menjadi semakin rumit.

“Saya melihat pemerintahan yang berkuasa saat ini masih senantiasa mengedepankan cara-cara penanganan masalah di Tanah Papua dengan menggunakan elemen kekerasan lewat pengerahan pasukan militer dan polisi atas dukungan dana stabilitas yang dianggarkan di dalam APBN maupun APBD,” kata pengacara senior ini.

Sekedar diketahui, RUU Pemerintahan Papua dibuat dengan melibatkan akademisi dari Universitas Cenderawasih Papua, yang diketahui langsung oleh Dekan Fakultas Hukum Uncen, Martinus Salosa.

bY oKTOVIANUS pOGAU

PAPUA, VICTIM OF A CONSPIRACY OF INDONESIA

     Papua, Victim of a Conspiracy of Interests

By : Selpius Bobii

Abepura State prison, 5 July 2013

West Papua is becoming increasingly well known overseas and has even been noted in documents of the United Nations (PBB), however for the wrong reasons! Due to a number of ‘conspiracies of interest’. These conspiracies are indeed thriving in Papua at the local, national and international levels. Yet whether at the biggest end of the scale or the smallest, they always occur  due to these special attracting forces of Papua.

The first being the incredible beauty of the place.  Both the land and waters of Papua are so very rich and fertile and the panoramic views are breathtaking. It has broadsweeping green valleys, hills and plains and lines of huge lofty mountains. The beaches are decorated with coconut trees that wave in the breeze and the waves of the wide blue ocean break upon the edge of the beaches. As well as its unique beauty Papua is also home to many types of very special fauna including the famous Bird of Paradise and the Victoria bird. Papuans themselves are so captivated by this natural beauty and have written many songs throughout the ages that try and depict the beauty in song. As one Papuan once wrote “ The land of Papua is as if heaven fell to the earth”. This beauty is certainly something that attracts people to visit and even settle in Papua.

The other reason of course is Papua’s natural resources that are incomparable in richness to any other island or continent throughout the entire world . It has become known worldwide for the mountains of gold and copper held by Papuan mother earth while so many other incredible riches of the earth and waters of Papua still lie silently beneath the surface. Indeed the natural resources of Papua have become an attracting force drawing those who have come to take our resources both legally and illegally.

The third fascination with Papua is the uniqueness of its people. Papua is home to around 273 tribes each of which has its own distinctly unique culture and these are spread throughout 7 regions according to similarity of characteristics. They were divided into 7 categories in the Dutch colonial era - based on information from the Customary Council of Papua -  for longterm purposes including the mapping the various government administrative regions, development plans and for familiarizing themselves to the characteristics of the people of Papua. Between these 7 tribes there are many similarities between traditions but they are never the same. The uniqueness of the Papuan tribes draws visitors locally, nationally and internationally.

Of these three causes the primary attracting force is the second being the richness of its natural resources and indeed the land of Papua has been exploited by the Dutch, Americans, English, Japanese and Indonesians. The nation of West Papua has become a victim of conspiracies of interests being passed from one lap to another. First from the Dutch to the UN Temporary Executive Authority (UNTEA), then from there to the lap of the Indonesians. History itself writes that West Papua has become the very Zion of conspiracies of many of interests.

In order to take control of the land and waters and seize its natural wealth, there have arisen a number of competing unilateral economic and political interests and the resulting scramble  has led to no small sacrifice of materials, time, energy and human beings. The land of Papua is known by so many foreign countries not just because of the existence of PT Freeport (being the biggest gold mine and third biggest copper mine worldwide) but also because Papua has itself become a source of conflict in that scramble. Ever since the sovereignty of the nation of Papua was annexed into the Republic of Indonesia (RI) on 1 May 1963 and until this very moment, West Papua has been ablaze due to continual conflicts being played out. Seemingly endless conflicts which have been the result of conspiracies of interest going on behind the scene. In 1963 to achieve their economic and political interests the Republic of Indonesia and USA colluded together to seize West Papua from the Dutch and place it in the lap of the Republic of Indonesia, a collusion in which the sole interests of the USA was their own economic domination and security interests in the region. Indonesia’s interest in the deal at the time was primarily around increasing its political power.

USA’s goal was achieved with the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between RI and USA in 1967 regarding the operation of the Freeport mine in Timika. This MOU smoothed the way for the claim over West Papua by RI through a so-called referendum in 1969 that was flawed morally and legally. The opening of the Freeport mine made ever so clear that USA’s primary reason for helping Indonesia to annex West Papua was for their own economic gain.

 The USA had another important reason to engineer this MOU as it secured an interest for the USA in the Asia Pacific region. RI was taking advantage of the cold war situation intentionally showing signs of working together with the Russians and particularly  in relation to defence  (RI had already made purchases of equipment from the Russians to come up against the Dutch over the matter of the land of Papua). Indonesia’s strategy was successful and the USA moved to prevent Russia getting a hold in the Asia Pacific region by intervening in the dispute between RI and the Netherlands over West Papua. The deal was that RI would discontinue its relations with Russia. The result, RI got what it wanted and USA was able to defend the Asia Pacific region from communist influence and at the same time achieve its own economic interests in Papua..

The USA conspired with the Indonesians, pressuring the Dutch Queen through a delegation led by the then President J.F Kennedy and appointing a retired American Ambassador to the UN Ellsworth Bunker to draft a proposal that would supposedly bring an end to the dispute between RI and the Dutch over the issue of West Papua. At the same time influencing the UN to also get involved in ‘resolving’ the dispute. The Netherlands prior to that point had hoped for support from Australia, the British and the USA in defending the retention of Papua by the Dutch, however they had never imagined the political manouvres that were about to take place by the USA. Following the USA’s moves there was absolutely no response from either the British or Australia to support the Dutch’s retention of Papua. Nothing! UN mediated the coming together of the parties in line with the USA engineered scenario, with the USA providing the proposal that had been prepared by Bunker. The proposal was signed off as an agreement between RI and the Netherlands with the UN providing witness and become known as the ‘New York Agreement’ of 15 August 1962. There was absolutely no involvement whatsoever in the process of representation from the nation of Papua. With the signing of the New York Agreement the Netherlands had no further right to defend the land of Papua and of course to fulfill their promise to the nation of Papua of bringing about recognition of their full sovereignty.

The Dutch surrendered the power of administrative governance to UN (UNTEA) on 1 May 1963 following which UNTEA surrendered the same to RI. With that transfer the requirement to implement a referendum so the nation of Papua could supposedly decide on their own future, was also transferred to RI. However the initial plan for the ‘Act of Free Choice’ with one person one voice was changed by RI to a method of so-called ‘representation’ and a committee was formed to that end known locally as the Dewan Musyawarah PEPERA  A mere 1026 Papuans were chosen by RI to determine the fate of the Papuan nation of some 800,000 Papuans in the Act of Free Choice. Before the vote was taken those 1026 chosen by RI were taken to Java where they stayed in top-class motels and were provided with sexual favours. They returned to Papua in a state of ecstasy due to the extent of the blissful comforts they’d enjoyed to be also given a sum of money and valued objects such as radios etc. Back in Papua they were accommodated in a special camp where they were to be indoctrinated and pressured with violence into voting for Papua to be a permanent part of RI. At the climax in a state of intimidation to the point of being terrorized with fear, the group of 1026 were forced to vote. Of that total one didn’t vote due to illness whilst one person from Fak Fak rejected RI’s pressure and voted for independence for Papua. So ultimately 1024 Papuans under severe intimidation voted for Papua to become a part of the territory of Indonesia.

Indonesia’s victory with the ‘Act of Free Choice’ was not a victory based on the upholding of the supremacy of law, democracy, truth, honesty, human rights and peace. Rather it was a victory based on violence and an arbitrary engineering of the situation that was morally and legally flawed. The failure of Indonesia to implement the requirements of the New York Agreement was reported by a special representative of the UN named Ortisan, in a session of the UN. However even though at that time 15 member nations of the UN rejected the results of the so-called Act of Free Choice and left the room where the UN session was being held, nevertheless UN noted that the requirements of the New York Agreement of 15 August 1962 had been carried out to completion.

In the process of annexing Papua into RI it was proven that USA manipulation of the situation was extreme. Without the assistance of the USA, it is certain that RI would have experienced resistance in opposing the Netherlands (which at that time possessed full modern war weaponary). The USA prioritized, upheld and realized its own economic and security interests in the region. Whilst those supreme values of upholding international law, democracy, human rights, justice, truth, honesty and peace were overlooked and defeated such that the interests of RI and USA could be achieved. Indeed this annexation of Papua into RI was the most extreme instance of international ‘conspiracies of interests’. An act that was done unilaterally through a political and military invasion so as to secure interests of the USA and RI alone. An act which denied the most basic of human rights of the people of Papua to decide on their own future as to whether they would be independent or forever under RI. The human rights of the people of Papua were sacrificed, were mortgaged off to the State of Indonesia.

Following West Papua’s forced inclusion into RI the international conspiracies of interest in the land of Papua became increasingly exaggerated. The conspiracies were realized in partnerships bilateral and multilateral, with partnerships in the mining industry becoming like fortresses for defending the continued forced inclusion of West Papua within RI. The scale of the giant PT Freeport mine in Timika (parent Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc.) as noted above being the largest goldmine and third largest copper mine worldwide, defies the imagination,. The CEO and President of Freeport James R.Moffett is one of biggest business names in USA. Shareholders of the massive PT Freeport spread across 24 nations with by far the biggest bite going to the USA. There are also huge natural gas fields the Tangguh LNG Project (said to become one of the world’s prime gas supply sources) and massive oil fields near Sorong. Two of the largest exploiters of Papua’s oil and gas have been British owned companies working of course with RI. The list of transnational mining corporations that have been exploiting West Papua’s oil and minerals is not short. West Papua has indeed become like the world’s ‘kitchen’ providing for many nations and investment in the mining and energy industry has become the very bargaining power of Indonesia to defend the continued inclusion of West Papua within its borders.

Campaigning and lobbying for sovereign independence of West Papua continues to be blocked by those nations of the world that choose to prioritise their own bilateral and multilateral trade relations with Indonesia  across a range of industries and in particular mining. Papua has been and continues to be sacrificed as the victim in these conspiracies of interests. The question begs ‘Will the people of Papua continue to be sacrificed in this way by the nations of the world, by the U.N and especially by the nations of the Africa the Caribean and Pacific and at this time by the MSG?’ Sacrificed as a result of these nations choosing to prioritise the importance of their bilateral and multilateral relations with the State of Indonesia over the human rights of the people of Papua?

Not only has Papua been sacrificed time and time again in these international conspiracies of interests but the people of Papua have at the same time become victims in the most horrible ways imaginable as a result of national level conspiracies by the State of Indonesia. The annexation of Papua into RI opened the way for Indonesia to exploit the wealth of natural resources in its dealings and in bringing that about Indonesia’s inhumane practices have caused the people of Papua to be marginalized, discriminated against, been made a minority,, killed directly and indirectly. The results of which the Papuan people are now known to be heading towards annihilation of their ethnic race.

Jakarta’s Regulation No 12 in 1969 regarding autonomy for Papua was later altered in 2001 at Regulation 21 to become ‘Special Autonomy’ in Papua. That which is now being altered again to become ‘Special Autonomy PLUS’. This also indeed has been part of a conspiracy of RI with these political packages coming out of Jakarta being supported by and in some cases even funded by international parties. Political packages that are applied in Papua in spite of the fact that the people of Papua have rejected them.

The people of Papua have even become victims of local conspiracies of interest by transmigrants and in fact by certain Papuans themselves. Transmigrants have manipulated the situation by working together with RI and even parties from other nations in a number of ways with the result that the city centres and in fact the economics of Papua have now been taken over by transmigrants. Whilst the local indigenous community is forced to sell its goods on the sides of the road and at the sides of shops and markets, being areas that of course have been built by the government..

Even certain Papuans have become agents of conspiracies in the name of the ‘national interest’, selling out simply for the reward of worldly comforts. These people play their games in a range of areas including acting as ‘pioneers’ for mining investors. They also act as agents for  Indonesian Intelligence, infiltrating the resistance organizations, NGO’s and non-defence civil servant organisations, churches, academic institutions and even by establishing organisations themselves to defend Papua remaining within Indonesia (eg organization the ‘Red White Ranks’).

There are at any one time so many local,national and international conspiracies being played out in Papua, with all being applied in nice tidy systematic ways.  All without exception have the same result of defending the colonial domination of RI and its allies and effectively prolonging the most severe oppression against the community of the nation of West Papua. Conspiracies that seem to have no end point and which given fertile ground by conflicts first created when the State of Indonesia, the Netherlands, USA and UN unilaterally and without the inclusion of indigenous Papuans annexed the nation of Papua into the Republic of Indonesia. This annexation of Papua’s sovereignty into Indonesia directly gave rise to the consequence of serious widespread human rights violations against the people of Papua and injustices in many areas of development programs. All leading to marginalization, discrimination, making Papuans a minority in their ancestors lands and in combined effect amounting to a slow moving but certain genocide against ethnic West Papuans.

To rescue the nation of Papua from this humanitarian emergency that is so horrifying in its results and which has been intentionally hidden from the eyes of the world for this last 50 years, the actors of the State of Indonesia, USA, the Netherlands and UN must take responsibility. These four actors that were totally responsible for the annexation of Papua into RI must surely take responsibility for  what they have created. So as to bring to an end this most inhumane colonial domination of the nation of Papua by RI and its allies in the land of West Papua. To this end unconditional negotiations need to take place immediately between RI and the nation of Papua with mediation by UN, the Netherlands, USA and / or a neutral nation, to thoroughly discuss the problems in Papua and find a dignified solution.

(This article has been based on a number of sources including books, articles and oral sourcs from those in Papua who have been the makers of history.)

Selpius Bobii,

General Chairperson

The United Front of the Struggle of the People of Papua

&  Papuan Freedom Political Detainee

Abepura Prison, Jayapura

INDONESIA'S MANOEUVRES IN FACING UP TO THE WEST PAPUAN STRUGGLE ANDA THE MSG

INDONESIA’S MANOEUVRES IN FACING UP TO THE

WEST PAPUAN STRUGGLE AND THE MSG

By: Bu By Selpius Bobii.   

Abepura State Prison, 21 July 2013  

The political manoeuvres of the Republic of Indonesia in facing up to the Struggle of Papua for freedom,  have intensified continuously since the III National Papuan Congress (NPC III) in Jayapura on 17-19 October 2011. One of the results of the NPC III was the Declaration of the Nation of Papua in the State of West Papua, which was read at the Congress by President Forkorus Yaboisembut, S.Pd. This Declaration was the highest legal foundation and on that was born the State of the Federal Republic of West Papua. This step was critical in the Struggle and something that had been delayed since the time of the II National Papuan Congress in the year 2000.

RI failed to prevent the Declaration of the Restoration of Independence for West Papua that was expressed on 19 October 2011 at the NPC III which was attended by some 12,000 Papuans (Refer footnote). As a result one hour after the official closure of the NPC III Ceremony, joint Indonesian forces of the Police and Military in full war apparel broke through the gate to the Catholic Mission and attacked the approximate 1000 Papuans who remained and who were at that time singing and dancing. There were around 300 Papuans arrested that day by the joint forces with support from the Indonesian Intelligence Services and 3 participants shot dead. The 300 persons arrested were treated in a brutal and inhumane way using torture, intimidation and insult. There was also widespread and significant loss of property and money that day by participants.

The following day 20 October 2011 saw most of the 300 arrested (who had been held at the Papuan Police Headquarters overnight) released with only 6 persons remaining who were to be prosecuted as responsible for the NPC III and i n particular  the Declaration of the Restoration of Sovereign Independence for West Papua. They were Forkorus Yaboisembut, S. Pd (President State of the Federal Republic of West Papua (SFRWP)), Edison Klaudius Waromi, S.H (Prime Minister SFRWP, Selpius Bobii (Chairperson of the Organising Committee and Chairperson of the Session during which the Declaration was made and the Federation created), Dominikus Sorabut (Member of the Leadership of that same Session) and Agus Sananay Kraar (Coordinator of the Logistical Organising Section). These persons were to become known as the ‘Jayapura Five’ and would be each sentenced to 3 years imprisonment by the Panel of Judges at the State Court, Jayapura on 16 March 2012. The other person not released was Gad Wenda who had been one of the Papuan guards at the Congress. He was sentenced to 4 months 15 days for carrying a kitchen knife.The international community criticized the attack by the joint Indonesian police and military forces following the official closure of the NPC III.

 At this time the politics of West Papuan are getting increasingly ‘hotter’ both inside Papua and overseas and on 19 November 2011 Dr John Otto Onawame and associates from the West Papuan National Coalition for Liberation (WNPCL) acting on the heightened momentum and launched the Committee for Decolonisation of West Papua in Port Villa, Vanuatu. This was followed by the lodging of an application for membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) for West Papua.  The Republic of Indonesia (RI) is by no means waiting quietly on the sidelines watching support grow for the West Papuan Struggle. Support that is each day spreading further and reverberating around all nations of the world.  Indonesia is rather actively manoeuvering to influence other nations of the world and the United Nations (UN) and in particular at this time the nations of the Pacific region, against supporting Papuan Independence. Indonesia succeeded in lobbying leaders of the Melanesian region nations to be given observer status at the MSG Forum in 2011 then in 2012 assigned Michael Manufandu to become an Ambassador for the entire region of the Pacific nations. His role being to influence the Pacific nations against supporting the West Papuan Struggle for liberation and to the same end to develop bilateral and unilateral partnerships in the region.

Prior to the major conference of the MRP together with indigenous community members on 9-10 June 2010, followed by the Papuan Peace Conference ( 5-7 July 2011) and then the NPC III, Indonesia had actually not regarded it as important to work together with nations in the Pacific region. However clearly that has all changed since the Declaration of Restoration of Sovereignty of West Papua at the NPC III in 2011 and particularly with the recent growing support from the wider Pacific community .Suddenly Indonesia is finding itself forced to pay attention to the growing international support for Papua in a way never seen before . A number of approaches have been undertaken by RI to respond to this increasingly ‘hot’ political climate and to at the same time and to the same end, develop partnerships with the Pacific nations during this immediate period.

Two nations in particular in the Pacific region where RI has been most successful in influencing the governments against supporting the call for Papuan independence are that of Australia and New Zealand. On a number of occasions the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Bob Carr has stated that the stance of the Australian Government is that it does not support the movement of indigenous Papuans for independence. He even has gone so far as saying that indigenous Papuans are not capable of managing their own nation. He suggested that if Papua received independence and later had internal problems that Australia would experience problems in handling relations with Papua. So that in his government’s opinion it was in Australia’s interests that West Papua remains within the Republic of Indonesia.

The Australian Foreign Minister statements are but a repeat of statements by Indonesian Officials, prooving that he has been totally influenced by RI. In Papua we are constantly hearing Indonesian Officials saying that Papuans aren’t capable of running their own affairs. It’s the usual line for Indonesia. It’s interesting that very similar statements were made by RI of East Timor (now Timor Leste) before they had the opportunity to hold a referendum. But of course Indonesia’s statements have not been upheld by history as since Timor Leste celebrated independence in 1999 the world has seen that Timor Leste is quite capable of developing their own nation. Even the previous USA Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on her visit to Timor Leste in 2012 stated that Timor Leste provided a model for a new democratic state that was developing well. Indeed Timor Leste was a lesson for the State of Indonesia and they really don’t want to see West Papua also separate from RI. So expect them to use all methods possible to influence the other nations of the world and the UN in order to defend their hold on West Papua.

The attitude of the government of New Zealand was conveyed by the Ambassador David Taylor when he visited Jayapura on 15 April 2013, stating that the Government of New Zealand supports the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia (including Papua). It’s interesting in light of this that nevertheless the New Zealand Government has indicated support for  Jakarta and Papua coming together to find a solution to bring an end to the existing problems. The attitudes of the Australian and New Zealand Governments are both however neglecting the voices of the majority of their own populations that are in support of the West Papuan Struggle. Yet during the recent visit of the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to Jakarta on 5 July 2013 that of the 3 important agenda items discussed, one was the issue of Papua. Prime Minister Rudd conveyed the Australian Government’s support of Indonesia in bringing to an end the problems in Papua. Kevin Rudd is indeed well aware of the problems in Papua and it is the sincere hope of the nation of Papua that if the Australia Government truly supports Indonesia bringing an end to the problems in Papua that he will strongly urge RI to enter into dialogue between Jakarta and Papua

The intensity of Indonesia’s political manoeuvres was heightened even further following WNPCL’s submission of an application for membership to the MSG Secretariat on 29 April 2013.

Support for West Papua was received from the then Chairperson of the MSG, Fijian Prime Minister Commodore Bainimarama when he received the West Papuan delegation on 28 March 2013 led by Dr Ondawame. According to official reports from the WNPCL the Fijian Prime Minister is reported to have said ‘For a long time we haven’t give attention to the fate of our Melanesian brothers and sisters in West Papua but the moment has now come for us to help our people. As the Chairperson of the MSG I will ensure the issue of West Papua is included on the agenda of the coming MSG meeting in June to be held in Noumea and that the problems that have been put forward in your application will be debated and the results of the MSG discussion conveyed after that meeting.’ Although relations between the governments of Fiji and RI are good, nevertheless the Fijian Prime Minister has made clear that the problems in Papua must be brought to an end in a dignified way.

Recently in Vanuatu we saw an overthrow of the then Prime Minister Sato Kilman as a result of pressure from the people of Vanuatu due to their intense concern that he was ignoring the urging of the Vanuatu community and Vanuatu Officials who wanted to see West Papua given full support. It was believed that he was prioritizing working together with RI above support for West Papua. The motion which led to his removal was put forward by the Vanuatu Parliament and he was replaced by Moana Carcases Kalosil who is seen as a vocal supporter of independence for Papua. When the new Prime Minister Kalosil met with Otto Ondawame of WNPCL on 3 April 2013 in Vanuatu he stated  that within 100 work days under his leadership that the working relationship with RI that had been established by the previous Prime Minister would be discontinued. Vanuatu’s government has made a commitment to support the recognition of full independence for West Papua and the new Vanuatu Prime Minister has supported the problem of West Papua and WPNCL’s application being included on the agenda at the MSG 19^th Summit of the MSG.

New Caledonia's Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) is acting as the frontline supporter for West Papua to be given full MSG membership. According to official reports received from WNPCL the FNLKS  leader Victor Tutugoro as the recently appointed new MSG Chairperson at a meeting the WNPCL delegation in Noumea on 11 April 2013 stated ‘ We open our hearts and extend our hands to receive you (West Papuans) back into the Melanesian family.’ It was FLNKS as the host for the 19^th Summit of the MSG that invited 5 representatives of West Papua to attend the MSG Summit.

Looking at the Solomon Islands, during Dr Ondawame’s visit there on  24 April 2013 to meet with the Prime Minister Lilo, the Prime Minister stated that the case of West Papua was a decolonisation issue that has gone on far too long and which now needs to be brought to an end. He also voiced his support for the application for West Papua to become a member of the MSG. Whilst in regards to PNG, whilst the PNG Prime Minister prior to the MSG Summit had not yet indicated his support for West Papua being given full MSG membership, nevertheless the PNG community and virtually all senior PNG officials support WPNCL’s application.

Whilst support is increasing West Papua’s application for MSG membership, RI is at the same time intensifying its political games to work against that. The visit of the Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto to Fiji on 3 June 2013 to meet with the Fijian Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama, was clearly intended to obstruct West Papua’s application for MSG membership.It was then that Djoko Suyanto invited members of the MSG Forum to visit Jakarta and West Papua. Then on 7-8 June 2013 RI sent a delegation to Australia including Nick Meset, Frans Albert Yoku, General Mulyana and General Leonard to lobby a number of parties to block any strengthening of support for the Struggle for the nation of Papua. RI’s visit to Fiji was successful to the extent that the decision regarding West Papua’s application for MSG membership was postponed in the MSG Forum on 16 June 2013 until after a visit to Jakarta and Papua by MSG member Foreign Ministers within this 6 months.

Indonesia was angry about the open discussion concerning West Papua in the MSG and had indirectly indicated their protest, but nevertheless faced up to it with a cool head. RI’s representative Maikel Manufandu admitted that the decision of the MSG Forum concerning West Papua was a challenge for the state of Indonesia.  It’s interesting to compare this to RI’s reaction to the opening of an office of the Free West Papua Campaign in Oxford, England. The latter caused such a response throughout even the Indonesian community to the point that Indonesian officials conveyed their protest to the Ambassador and sent a delegation from the National Legislative Assembly of Indonesia to England to lobby the English Government to close the newly opened office. Their efforts were in vain as the opening of the office having been approved by the Oxford Mayor and the National Government having no authority to interfere in a decision of a region or city, but they made no small effort to oppose it.

One must ask why the Indonesian Government doesn’t have a more open attitude towards the problems in West Papua being discussed in the MSG Forum. Indonesia feels that their lobbying of Fiji has been successful with the resulting delay of final discussions regarding West Papua’s application for membership by the MSG. This of course gives time and opportunity for RI to influence the MSG member nations and especially to bring pressure to bear through the MSG Delegation of Foreign Ministers that plan to visit Jakarta and Papua in the coming months. At the surface Indonesia is choosing to not say too much publically but at the same time is going to great effort to lobby each of the Pacific nations.

Of course RI has the means available to it in every way to bring about this influence, compared to the indigenous community of Papua that struggles with restrictions on every level under the repressive hand of the armed forces of Indonesia. The politics of money are bound to come into play by RI in its efforts to prevent support developing in the Pacific for independence for Papua. 

RI has been making a lot of effort these last months working on improving its relations with the PNG Government. In a state visit on 17 June 2013 to the Indonesian Palace in Bogor the PNG Prime Minister together with President SBY signed off on a bilateral working agreement. One of those matters agreed to was an agreement on extradition. This has caused significant protest from the Opposition Party in PNG lead by Belden Naamah, which absolutely rejects an extradition agreement being put into effect that will act against West Papuans fleeing for their lives to PNG due to consequences of their involvement in the Papuan Independence Struggle. The Manus Island Governor Powes Parkop has clarified that the extradition agreement will not be applied against those fleeing across the border to PNG due to  their political activities. If the extradition agreement is to be implemented in that way such that West Papuan independence activists are given an exemption, then certainly this points to their being real support from the PNG Government towards the Independence Struggle of West Papua.

Indonesia’s political manoeuvres in Papua are continuing to intensify and we are seeing basically four ‘approaches’ being applied - security, legal, socio-cultural and the welfare illusion. Implementation of the security approach has been assigned to the Territorial Military Commander XVII Cenderawasih and those under him, whilst the implementation of the legal approach has been assigned to the Head of the Papua Provincial Police and its rank and file. Whilst both the Indonesian Military and Police are undertaking socio-cultural approaches.

In recent times the security and legal approaches by the armed forces have become more extreme in order to bring pressure onto the indigenous West Papuan community to stop seeking international support. There is absolutely no room given in Papua for democracy. At the time of writing brutally harsh military operations are continuing to take place in the regions of Puncak Jaya and Paniai and ‘orderly legal’ operations have been put into effect by the Police throughout the land. Terror and intimidation by the Indonesian military with backup by the police and intelligence units is the norm.

The welfare illusion is handled by provincial, city and kabupaten levels of government. In order to avoid attracting attention of the international community to the failures of Special Autonomy, RI has now changed it to ‘Special Autonomy Plus’. This ‘new’ political package is nothing more than an effort by Indonesia to avoid bringing an end of the problems in Papua and something to secure SBY’s position until he stands down from the presidency on 20 October 2014.

The range of political manoeuvres that RI has been playing out both within Indonesia and overseas are intended not only to ensure that the application for membership for West Papua at the MSG (and previously also to the Pacific Islands Forum) fail, but also to work against any legal recognition by other countries and the UN of the State of the Federal Republic of West Papua as created at the NPC III. The goal of course, to extend the period of colonial domination by RI in the land of Papua.

Are we going to see Papua sacrificed yet again as a result of those countries of the world that prioritize working in partnership with RI? Is not the saving of the ethnic West Papuan race that is now being annihilated by the colonial domination and resultant consequences of RI more important in principle and far more urgent? Surely  the upholding of democracy, truth, honesty, justice, human rights and peace is more glorious than neglect of these values just for the sake of achieving ones political and economic interests.

Though many of us are presently incarcerated by RI as a consequence of the West Papuan Struggle for Independence, we will continue from behind iron bars to follow closely the above political dynamics and will continue our struggle for liberation without ceasing.

Footnote:

There was a lot of inconsistency  in the months following the III National Papuan Congress regarding numbers of Papuan that attended the Congress, due to the extent of human rights violations that occurred at the closure of the Congress and as the Chairperson of the organising committee who had overseen the issuing of invitations and all aspects of organising had been arrested at that time. Accordingly informed estimates are now made available as follows: Official Participants attending with invitations 4000; Observers 500; Organisers 500; Papuan Guards/ Security 2000; Student Security personnel 1000; Security personnel from Papuan Unit Koteka Taskforce 1000,; Participants from the general Papuan community other than those who received particular invitations 3000. Giving a combined estimated total who attended of approximately 12,000 persons.

Selpius Bobii,

General Chairperson

Front PEPERA West Papua (The United Front of the Struggle of the People of Papua)

&  Papuan Freedom Political Detainee

Abepura Prison, Jayapura

Related articles:

1) Contention between representatives of West Papua and Indonesia at the 19^th MSG Summit.

 Indonesian version: www.dogimauw.blogspot.com/2013/07/pertarungan-wakil-papua-barat-vs-wakil.html?m=1; English version: www.westpapuamedia.info/2013/06/22/contention-between-representatives-of-west-papua-and-indonesia-at-the-19th-msg-summit/

2)Commitment of the MSG regarding West Papua to be put to the Test.

Indonesian version: www.majalahselangkah.com/content/komitmen-ktt-msg-tentang-persoalan-papua-barat-akan-diuji# ; English version:  : www.westpapuamedia.info/2013/07/03/commitment-of-the-msg-regarding-west-papua-to-be-put-to-the-test/

3) Keputusan Para Pemimpin Negara MSG Terkait Papua. Indonesian version: www.tabloidjubi.com/2013/06/21/inilah-keputusan-para-pemimpin-negara-msg-tentang-papua/#

4) Papua, Victim of a Conspiracy of Interests. Indonesian version: www.papuapost.com/2013/07/8095/;

English version:www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1307/S00084/papua-victim-of-a-conspiracy-of-interests.htm.

5. The Challenge of the MSG Delegation visit to Jakarta and Papua. English version:   

www.westpapuamedia.info/2013/07/20/bobii-the-challenge-of-the-msg-delegation-visit-to-jakarta-and-papua/

Your help to distribute this article as widely as possible through the printed and electronic media to the international community would be most appreciated. God bless.

PRESS RELEASE AUSTRALIA WEST PAPUA ASSOCIATION

Press Release – Australia West Papua Association

A number of peaceful protests and cultural parades, planned to protest the signing of the New York Agreement on the 15 August 1962 have been banned by the police in West Papua. The peaceful protests co-ordinated by the KNPB are to take place throughout …Police Ban West Papuan Cultural Parade

A number of peaceful protests and cultural parades, planned to protest the signing of the New York Agreement on the 15 August 1962 have been banned by the police in West Papua. The peaceful protests co-ordinated by the KNPB are to take place throughout West Papua in Wamena, Yahukimo, Nabire, Biak, Sorong, Manokwari and Timika.  The rallies are also to show support for the opening of the Free West Papua Campaign office in the Netherlands

Joe Collins of AWPA said, “The New York Agreement was a betrayal of the West Papuan people”.  President Thomas Wilson said “ …that no right anywhere exists to hand peoples about from sovereignty to sovereignty as if they were property”

And this is exactly what happened to the West Papuan people. Handed over by one colonial power, The Netherlands to another, Indonesia with a short administration period by the UN as a face-saving compromise for the Dutch and the international community.

It is not only the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association that is under threat in West Papua (article 20 Universal Declaration of Human Rights) but also freedom of the press.  Just days after the distribution of its first edition, the Pelita Papua magazine was banned by the police for portraying the symbol of the Free Papua Movement on its cover. Joe Collins said that “hopefully the rallies will be allowed to go ahead peacefully and there will be no repeats of the crack down by the security forces on the rally that took place on the 1 May which resulted in the killing of three people and the arrest of up to 20.

Although an application for permission to hold the peaceful demonstrations was sent to the police, the Jayapura police chief said permission would not be given.  

Brimob platoon sent to Puncak Jaya to pursue the perpetrators of ambulance attack

Comment. Always a concern when the security forces conducted sweeps in response to shootings as in the past these operations have left  the local people in fear and traumatized by such operations. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

http://regional.kompas.com/read/2013/08/02/0556273/Kejar.Pelaku.Penembakan.Ambulans.Satu.Peleton.Brimob.Dikirim.ke.Puncak.Jaya

Pursue Perpetrators Ambulance Shooting, One Platoon Brimob Sent to Puncak Jaya

Author: Annisa Palupi Auliani Friday, August 2, 2013 | 5:56 pm

Brimob | Tribunnews

Timika, KOMPAS.com - A platoon personnel Papua Police Mobile Brigade sent to Mulia, Puncak Jaya regency, using MI-17 helicopter of the army, on Thursday (01/08/2013). They were assigned to pursue the gunmen ambulance Hospital in Puncak Puncak Jaya Smile, Puncak Jaya regency, Papua, on Wednesday (31/07/2013). The shooting killed one person and injured several others.

"Hery Nyoman (previously named Erik Yoman allegedly) planned to be buried, who died in honor, while two health workers who were injured were evacuated to issue shoot a bullet at Dok II Jayapura District Hospital," said Head of Public Relations Papua Police Commissioner Pol I Gde Sumerta, Thursday (01/08/2013). Evacuation of two injured victims planned to be done using Hornbill Air Twin Otter aircraft, Friday (02/08/2013).

Those injured were officers Puncak Jaya Hospital, Darson Wonda (27) and Frits Baransano (42). Darson was an ambulance driver, who suffered a gunshot wound in the left arm. While Frits are medical personnel, suffered a gunshot wound in the right arm and ribs. Meanwhile, added Sumerta, City Honor conditions have now conducive.

As previously reported, on Wednesday afternoon, at around 14:10 CET happened shooting of Puncak Jaya Hospital ambulance. Ambulance unidentified gunmen fired in the area of ​​peak A smile on the way back to pick up the patient after the Noble City in Kampung Urgele, Tingginambut district, Puncak Jaya regency.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://bintangpapua.com/index.php/lain-lain/k2-information/halaman-utama/item/7290-kejar-pelaku-penembakan-satu-peleton-brimob-dikirim-ke-puncak-jaya

Saturday, August 3, 2013 13:33

Pursue Perpetrators Shooting One Platoon Brimob Sent to Puncak Jaya

Timika-gunman that caused the death of a medical personnel and injuring two others in Mulia, Puncak Jaya still continue to be pursued. To pursue the alleged perpetrators of these paramilitary groups, security forces strengthened / plus.

Yes, a platoon personnel Papua Police Mobile Brigade sent to Mulia, Puncak Jaya regency, using MI-17 helicopter of the army, on Thursday (01/08/2013). They were assigned to pursue the gunmen ambulance Hospital in Puncak Puncak Jaya Smile, Puncak Jaya regency, Papua, on Wednesday (31/07/2013). The shooting killed one person and injured several others.

"Hery Nyoman (previously named Erik Yoman allegedly) planned to be buried, who died in honor, while two health workers who were injured were evacuated to issue shoot a bullet at Dok II Jayapura District Hospital," said Head of Public Relations Papua Police Commissioner Pol I Gde Sumerta, Thursday (01/08/2013), as reported by kompas.com.

Those injured were officers Puncak Jaya Hospital, Darson Wonda (27) and Frits Baransano (42). Darson was an ambulance driver, who suffered a gunshot wound in the left arm. While Frits are medical personnel, suffered a gunshot wound in the right arm and ribs. Meanwhile, added Sumerta, City Honor conditions have now conducive.

As previously reported, on Wednesday afternoon, at around 14:10 CET happened shooting of Puncak Jaya Hospital ambulance. Ambulance unidentified gunmen fired in the area of ​​peak A smile on the way back to pick up the patient after the Noble City in Kampung Urgele, Tingginambut district, Puncak Jaya regency. (binpa/don/l03)