http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/police-say-hundreds-of-opm-members-surrender-but-doubts-linger/567771
Police Say Hundreds of OPM Members Surrender, But Doubts Linger Banjir Ambarita & Camelia Pasandaran | January 26, 2013 Former OPM leader Daniel Kogoya (center) turning over his weapon to law enforcement authorities in Jayapura on Friday. Behind him are more than 200 rebels under his command who police say have all surrendered as well. (JG Photo/Banjir Ambarita) Jayapura/Jakarta. Indonesian authorities have announced the surrender of more than 200 members of the Free Papua Organization (OPM), but human rights activists aired doubts about the claim. The guerrillas, totaling 212, were said to have been fighting in Wutung, the border between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea under the command of Daniel Kogoya, who has reportedly claimed responsibility for several spouts of violence and shooting incidents in the restive region. Kogoya was arrested in September 2012 with two other members of the OPM, Sony Kosay and Petrus Kosay, after they tried to escape during an ambush. The 212 men along with Kogoya appeared at the Muara Tami district office in Jayapura on Friday, turned over their weapons and pledged their allegiance to the Republic of Indonesia in the presence of members of the media and military and police leaders, including Papua Military Commander Maj. Gen. Christian Zebua, Deputy Police Chief Brig. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw and Papua government secretary Elia Loupatty. “Indonesia is open to all of its citizens who have been in the opposition, as long as they return sincerely and stop carrying out illegal activities,” Christian said. “If some of your friends dislike your decision to rejoin Indonesia, our soldiers are ready to protect you.” Paulus said surrendering was the best solution to solve differences, rather than continuing to ask for independence. “This is the time to build communications to create good relations in Papua. Let's build this land, we're ready to serve you who have seen the error of your ways, the government is sure to pay attention [to you],” Paulus said. “There is no use to keep on fighting for something that is uncertain. Special autonomy is a certainty that will benefit Papua's people.” Daniel said he decided to rejoin Indonesia because he saw two Papuan natives rise to become law enforcement leaders — Inf. Col. Joppye Onesimus Wayangkau, who serves as Jayapura Military Resort Commander, and Papua Deputy Police Chief Brig. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw. “They're among our successful children, and we don't want to wage war against our own brothers,” Daniel said as quoted by Papuapos.com. “We will work together to build Papua.” He also apologized for the actions of his troops that victimized ordinary people. Papuan human rights activist Markus Haluk, however, doubted the surrender, saying that most of those who claimed to be OPM members were actually refugees who had been living in Papua New Guinea. He also said that Daniel did not fight in the border areas, but in Papua's central mountainous area. “This was fabricated by certain institutions to create an impression that Papua is now peaceful as the OPM members have rejoined Indonesia,” Markus told the Jakarta Globe on Saturday. “Thousands of Papuans have sought refuge in Papua New Guinea and they lived near the border. They're not members [of OPM], only refugees.” Markus said even if it was true that these rebels rejoined Indonesia, it would not solve the problem of rampant human rights violations. “The issue isn't whether they surrender or not; the government should address the root of the violence, marginalization and discrimination,” he said. “That [surrender] does not solve anything." [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
