Preparations underway for visit of Indonesian President: Report from Manokwari

Preparations underway for visit of Indonesian President

Report from Manokwari, received 28 November 2008

Translation courtesy of Tapol

1. At the beginning of October, the Indonesian Army located 2 companies of LINUD 733 troops from Ambon in Manokwari. They have been placed in position as security guards at several posts around the town.

2. Efforts have been underway to make sure that local communities will not undertake actions that could threaten state securiy, in particular at the time of the visit of the Indonesian President. In this connection, Lt.Colonel Irham Waroihan, the military commander of Manokwari, DANDIM 1703 has arranged for a meeting to take place on 28 November to which local leaders and journalists have been invited. The Executive Director of LP3BH in Makowari has also been invited.

3. The local newspaper, Media Papua, published a report on 28 November under the headline: 'Unfurling the Morning Star Flag will be prohibited on 1 December'. This headline was taken from the statement issued to journalists in Jayapura by the chief of police of Papua, Irgen FX Bagus Eko Danto on 27 November.

4. On Thursday 27 November, a banner was displayed on the occasion of the anniversary of KORPRI (an organisation of civil servants dating from the era of Suharto), bearing the words: 'Glory to Our Nation, Glory to Our Indonesian Nation'. The banner bore the photographs of Drs Benny Boneftar, head of the Civil Service in Manokwari, and John Warijo, head of the Regional Secretariat of Manokwari. The appearance of these photos prompted protests from the two persons themselves who tore down the banner which had been placed in front of the office of the local military command, KORAMIL/Manokwari and the Swiss Hotel in Manokwari. In addition to the positions the two men hold in the administration, they are also the secretary of the Customary Council in the Region of Manokwari and the chairman of the National Papuan Youth Committee for Manokwari respectively.

5. What often happens on 1 December each year is that people unfurl the Morning Star flag, without it being clear who has been responsible for the action. The LP3BH is paying close attention to what will happen on that day.

6. The visit to Manokwari by the Indonesian President has been scheduled to enable him to celebrate Christmas with the local community. His visit to Manokwari will last for only four hours.