mysmar
Wed, 22 Aug 2001 19:35:54 -0700
Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM)/ Free Papua Movement (FPM) Dear Friends, please distribute this statement through your networks. Thank you for your ongoing support for the people of West Papua. Yours sincerely John Somer Public Statement 21st August, 2001 THE INDEPENDENCE OF WEST PAPUA IS INEVITABLE AND NON-NEGOTIABLE The Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) or Free Papua Movement (FPM) has been the sole widely representative body for the independence aspirations of the people of West Papua all through the past 38 years of our struggle. After carefully watching recent regional and international political changes, the OPM feels it is necessary to make our position clear in regard to what is happening now in Indonesia and the Pacific region in relation to the issue of the people of West Papua and their struggle for independence. This is to ensure there is no confusion by the regional and international community. West Papua occupies a strategic position between Asia and the Pacific regions and between Muslim and Christian dominated societies. West Papua’s population, natural resources, land mass and strategic geographical position make us a powerful player in the region. It is our belief that the process of resolution of independence for West Papua has the potential to either stabilize or destabilize the region. We see that changes in the international and regional context following the end of the cold war and since means West Papua independence is inevitable. This changing context led the OPM to see it is possible to solve the problem of West Papua independence without violence. But we want to be clear that our peoples’ aspiration for independence is something that will not die. We are therefore also ready to fight to the last man if necessary to ensure we secure justice and independence for West Papua. The OPM would like to thank Nauru for highlighting the disadvantage of West Papuan factions during the recent Pacific Islands Forum. Many of us don’t see this disadvantage and your criticism is therefore constructive because it made us look at ourselves. It is the first time one of our neighbors in the Pacific talk honestly about this issue. However, we see the factions that exist in our liberation movement as something that is common to all liberation movements. It is an internal matter for us to resolve. We are united in our aspiration for independence. At the same time, we are very sorry because you have also shown Nauru is not genuine in your support for justice and self-determination for West Papuan people; it seems you have interest to gain part of our land for yourselves. 600,000 West Papuans have already sacrificed their lives for our land during the liberation struggle; they died for the land of West Papua. So you must be clear, the OPM will never allow any part of our land to be sold. The revelation of your true motivation in supporting us has caused us to lose trust that our Pacific neighbors have genuine interest in our struggle for justice. It means we are suspicious that you and our other neighbors in the Pacific can be easily manipulated by colonial interests. If you value peace and stability in our region, we urge you to look at your self when you support colonial interests against the interests people of West Papua. In response to Mrs. Megawati Sukarno Putri’s statements on attaining office as Indonesia’s 5th President that independence will not be tolerated for West Papua, we would like to point out: · Our stand is very clear and that is that independence for West Papua is not negotiable, so it is a waste of time talking about autonomy. West Papua people’s aspiration for independence will not die and our 65,000 fighters are ready to fight to the last man. · We do not accept your apology without independence. To us it is just another lie in a long line of lies, starting with the so-called Act of Free Choice and continuing through almost 40 years of brutal oppression of our people. It is time to stop telling lies to the international community about the reality. · Mrs. Megawati has been the leader of the Democracy Movement in Indonesia and many people believed in her in the past 10 years. Her recent statements show she is not genuine and that she is contradicting the principles of the democracy movement in Indonesia. Her presidency will not last long. Indonesia today is not the same as the Indonesia of yesterday. The people of Indonesia want peace, justice and democracy. To maintain a large unitary state of Indonesia you need a large military to contain it, and a military state does not allow democracy. Democracy can only exist if the Indonesia state is modified which will allow the military to be put back to the barrack. The independence of West Papua is therefore in the best interests of Indonesian democracy. John Howard’s statement in support of maintaining the unitary state of Indonesia during his recent visit to Indonesia (which he chose against attending the Pacific Islands Forum) is interference in the domestic affairs of another state. He should realize that such arrogance puts innocent Australians in danger. Australia continues to defend its own interests as though Indonesia is the same as before. The reality is that Indonesia is changing and Australia should accept this and formulate new foreign policy accordingly. Australians fought and died in this region in WW11 to defend freedom and democracy against fascism. Why then do you continue to support a fascist military state? West Papuans made a contribution in defending Australia in WW11; Australia should compensate us with political will to defend our right to freedom and justice. West Papuan people have survived almost 40 years of oppressive and brutal Indonesian colonialism. We have suffered too long, but we have been patient and continue to look broadly to ensure peace and stability for our region. We want to solve the issue of independence for West Papua with peace and dialogue, but these kinds of attitudes can push us to ignore the common regional interests and to pursue our aspiration for independence through whatever means we can. Thank you. John E Somer General TPN OPM Supreme Commander ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) ------------------------ Yahoo! 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