http://www.niugini.com/independent/inde190399/feature4.htm [ The Independent (PNG), Issue #200, March 19, 1999 ] FEATURE Freedom call stuns Jakarta by Franzalbert Joku THE embattled Indonesian government of President Bachruddin Jusuf Habibie is benumbed by the over-whelming call demanding the imme- diate creation of a separate independent Papuan state in its long troublesome province of Irian Jaya. Jakarta, still grappling to come to terms with its own decision to grant independence to East Timor, has been given until the end of this month to consent the independence call. In the event of a dispute, the issue should be referred to the international arena for a negotiated settlement under the direct auspices of the United Nations by no later than April this year, according to documents received in Port Moresby. The set of demands are contained in a sternly worded three-point statement conveying the aspirations of the province's indigenous Melanesian inhabitants put to President Habibie and other key Indonesian Government leaders at a high-level meeting in Jakarta 13 days ago. Waigani foreign policy advisers, whilst preferring to avoid commit- ting the PNG Government publicly about the latest developments in Jakarta, are closely assessing the situation unfolding beyond the country's western frontiers. Despite the strong pan-Melanesian sentiments and support for a free West Papua among Papua New Guineans, successive PNG governments have always recognised Irian Jaya as an integral art of the Indonesian republic. Officially dubbed as "Dialog Nasional" (a national dialogue), the meeting in Jakarta held on February 26 was convened by President independence and resurgent Papuan nationalism currently sweeping through the province's villages, towns and cities alike, in a way, magnitude and intensity not previously experienced. The issue of dissident liberation movements in Indonesia, especially in the provinces of East Timor, Irian Jaya, Maluku further west and Aceh in north Sumatra, has risen to national prominence in the country almost overnight, following last year's popular and bloody students-led revolt that culminated in the overthrow the former president and military dictator, Suharto, who ruled Indonesia with an iron-fist for 32 years. A strong delegation of a coalition of Irian Jayan leaders, carefully screened and selected by the State security agencies, surprised Jakarta with its open demand for the native inhabitants of Irian Jaya to be allowed the right to set up their own fully independent sovereign nation no later than April this year. Only four our of the 76 members of the Irian Jayan delegation, representing a board-based coalition of traditional chiefs, political activists, academics, civil servants, churches, women, student and youth groups, are known to have succumbed to official pressure and opted for a political status other than outright independence for Irian Jaya, according to information received here. The delegation's stand has come as a major shock, especially to the State officials, who, having excluded the more outspoken indepen- dence advocates, such as the Chairman of the Irian Jaya Council of Traditional Chiefs, Theys Eluay, Chairman of the Combined Christian churches in Irian Jaya, Reverend Karel Philip Erari, and the pro- vince's two former governors, Barnabas Suebu and Isaac Hindom, from the official delegation, were hoping for a vote for Irian to remain within the republic. A recent independent opinion poll on the question of Irian Jaya's future political status conducted by Indonesia's Jakarta-based largest circulation daily newspaper, Kompus, confirms the call for outright independence. The newspaper concluded that at least 87.5 per cent of the provin- ce's predominantly two million Melanesian people favoured full inde- pendence and a separate state from Indonesia. The leaders in their face to face meeting with Dr Habibie at Istana Merdeka, the official presidential palace, did not mix their words and had their statement read aloud to the President in the presence of other government leaders and senior State and military officials. The delegation, among others, told President Habibie and his govern- ment that it was the unquestionable wish of the people of West Papua (Irian Jaya) to become a fully independent sovereign nation (See the full text on this page). In response to the petition, President Habibie appealed for calm and strongly urged the Irian leaders to return home and get their people to instead consider alternatives other than full independence, in a considered determined bid to avert what many fear could easily trig- ger off a process that will lead to the total disintegration of the Indonesian republic. This latest development is unprecedented in the 38-year history of the independence struggle of the Melanesians in Irian Jaya, for never before have they or their leaders been asked to place their wishes and aspirations freely and officially before the government without fearing any reprisals. Coming right on the heels of the decision on East Timor, forcefully annexed 24 years ago, Mr Habibie's meeting with the 76 leaders of Irian Jaya's broad-based coalition representing a cross-section of the province's Melanesian population, has been deliberately played down for security reasons. Officials fear any publicity on the meeting, let alone the sensitive content of the statement put to President Habibie, might trigger off a new wave of violence across the country and intensify mounting pressure on Jakarta by dissident groups. They are especially nervous about the situation getting out of hand, not only in Irian Jaya, but also in the riot-torn islands province of Maluku, where religious wars between the local Christians and the largely migrant Moselm population have already claimed more than 160 lives in the past few months, and the rebellious Moselm province of Aceh, which has also been waging its own war of independence for more than 30 years. Tactically, President Habibie has been advised not to make any commitment or give a conclusive official reaction to the call for immediate independence for Irian Jaya outside the re- public, at least for the time being, hence his request for them to other alternatives a chance. Only a few weeks ago, Mr Habibie surprised even his own government by ignoring diplomatic niceties and spelt out in plain language that should the majority of the people of East Timor reject Jakarta's offer of an autonomy within the republic with broad ranging local government powers and opt for full independence outside the repub- lic, he would not hesitate to implement the inevitable political changes. Unlike the largely undeveloped East Timor lacking in natural resour- ces, stiff opposition for a fully independent Irian Jaya, already a significant contributor to the Indonesian economy through incomes derived from its rich gold and copper deposits, as well as oil, gas, timber and marine resources. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear President Habibie.... THE following is the full text of the statement put to president B.J. Habibie of Indonesia, dated Jakarta, February 26, 1999, by a coalition of leaders representing the indigenous Melanesian popu- lation of Irian Jaya calling for the immediate granting of independence to the former Dutch colony. Freelance writer Franzalbert Joku has translated the original text of the petition, entitled "Statement of Aspiration of the People of West Papua Presented at the National dialogue with the President of Indonesia" from Bahasa Indonesia into English for the benefit of The Independent readers. Here is the text of that historic statement: "Through the divine blessing of God Almighty, Creator of the uni- verse and King of all nations, we, the people of West Papua, with a deep sense of humility, take this opportunity to convey our profound respect, high regards and consideration to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr B.J. Habibie, and the leadership of the highest state organ; heads of state instrumentalities, including ABRI (the armed forces of Indonesia); and all invited distinguished guests. "It is important to recognise from the outset that the fundamental issue that has given rise to the prevailing political instability and security-related problems in West Papua (Irian Jaya) dating back to 1961 cannot be solely blamed on the apparent failure of the government of Indonesia in attending to the province's development needs. "The real cause for this unfortunate state of affairs can be clearly traced to developments associated with the then emerging political status of West Papua, which at that point in time was on the verge of becoming a fully fledged independent sovereign nation, thereby offering an opportune alternative for the people of West Papua to finally realise their hopes and aspirations to take their rightful place among other nations of the world, had it not been for the forced annexation of the territory by Indonesia. "Therefore, we, the people of West Papua, with openness and in all honesty, wish to now inform you, in your capacity as the President of the Republic of Indonesia, that the options and choices open to us now are very limited indeed, nor do we see any need for us to even discuss the renewed desire or intentions of the Indonesian government to develop our land and our people within the context of a united state of the Republic of Indonesia. "It is the unanimous wish of all our people now to determine our own future, despite the daunting challenges, limitations and risks that lie ahead. We are ready for a nationhood and to be responsible for our own affairs in the future. "Accordingly, on this day, Friday, February 26, 1999, we, the people of West Papua, hereby wish to place on record before the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Professor Dr. B.J. Habibie, and state that: * It is the unanimous wish of the entire people of West Papua to become a fully independent sovereign state and to take our rightful place among other nations of the world; * The government of the Republic of Indonesia and the people of West Papua, on the basis of mutual trust, jointly take all necessary steps and be responsible for ensuring the successful implementation of all relevant decisions in an amicable manner towards realising the expressed wishes of the people in estab- lishing a fully independent sovereign state of West Papua no later than March 1999; * In the event that wishes of the people of West Papua are not adhered to, as stated in point number one, it will be necessary for the government of the Republic of Indonesia and the people of West Papua to enter a process of a negotiated settlement internationally no later than April 1999 under the direct auspices of the United Nations. "This concludes the statement containing the aspirations of the people of West Papua, which we are deeply honoured to place before the President of the Republic of Indonesia. Thank you. "Jakarta, February 26, 1999. On behalf of the People of West Papua. "Signed. participants of the National Dialogue." -------------------------------------------------------------------- [ Home ][ News ][ Sabina's Corner ][ Opinion ][ Letters ][ Review ] [ Education ][ Faith ][ Business ][ Sports ] -------------------------------------------------------------------- ********************************************************************** This public article was forwarded by NOBBY <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. Mail subscriptions to me with subjects: "subscribe BougI-[x?]L" or "change to ..-[x?]L" <your_eMail-adr>. [BougI-xL] is the eXcerpt of [BougI-L]. Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.alexia.net.au/~www/mhutton/index.html Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Subscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
