http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/indonesian-government-cannot-referee-papua-conflict-pastor/525508
Indonesian Government Cannot Referee Papua Conflict': Pastor Markus Junianto Sihaloho | June 20, 2012 A phalanx of armed policemen blockade a road while a police vehicle burns in the background after a clash erupted between two Papuan tribes in Kwamki Lama village in Mimika, Papua on Monday. Two tribesmen were killed and another was critically injured; several policemen were also injured, and three police vehicles were torched during the conflict. Police and military troops were reportedly overwhelmed by fighting sparked by the death of a tribesman in a road accident in early June. (AFP Photo/TJAHJONO ERANIUS) Papuan pastor calling for justice and an end to the violence in the restive province told the Jakarta Globe on Tuesday that a dialogue between Papua and the Central government is urgently needed. But pastor Socratez Sofyan Yoman suggested that a neutral “referee” mediate the dialogue. “Let’s put it this way: There are two parties who are fighting, and it needs to be refereed,” pastor Socratez said. “If the government tries to mediate, that is not fair — how could the murderer become the referee? It’s nonsense.” Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto is currently on a working visit to Papua after being dispatched by the president to address the escalating conflict that has taken lives of both civilians and security officers. Djoko came to Papua with National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo, Indonesian Military Chief Adm. Agus Suhartono and National Intelligence chief Lt. Gen. Marciano Norman. But Socratez said that the visit is totally useless without the government’s willingness to sit down with the Papuan people and have a meaningful dialogue with a neutral arbitrator — Socratez added that the Papuan people have little trust the Indonesian government. “We should talk together, but it should be an honest dialogue,” he said. “We should make an agreement [with] one neutral nation or neutral non-governmental organization. Or it can be one public figure like Kofi Annan or Nelson Mandela. “We can find dignified solution from the dialogue,” the pastor added. The government has accused the Free Papua Organization (OPM) for many of the recent attacks, a claim which Socratez dismissed. “It was not OPM,” he said. “They fight for the people, for the welfare of Papuans. They would not do such things. The [question] for us is: Why are Indonesian officers killing here?” Socratez suggested that the Indonesian government might be ashamed to admit they have failed in Papua, and are trying to save face by blaming other parties. “The point is, the government has failed, so they [commit] violence,” Socratez said. “It is the only tactic to run away from their responsibility.” [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
