The ignored Papuan war on PNG’s border BY ARTHUR WILLIAMS

The ignored Papuan war on PNG’s border
by: Arthur Williams

Source: asopa.typepad.com

“Every day planes come in, vomiting migrants” - West Papuan eyewitness

I HAVE WATCHED the West Papua story for many years but especially since Epel Tito lost the Defence Ministry when he named Indonesia as PNG’s most likely future enemy. He’d also said he was ashamed at the treatment of the Melanesian people by their own government in Jakarta with its transmigration (now called in-migration) policy of swamping PNG’s brothers and sisters with non-Melanesians.

He said he was also ashamed with the lack of support for West Papuan independence by PNG, the biggest Melanesian nation, which shares a common border with the Indonesia colony. Only tiny Vunuatu had the balls to stand up for these unhappy people.

Here’s what I found when I researched some of the events that have unfolded this year across the PNG border [Crisis Watch # 83]:

4 January - Police in Timika 16 Dec shot Kelly Kwalik during raid by counter-terror unit. Hundreds of mourners rallied in Timika 16-21 Dec, clashing briefly with police 19 Dec. Several arrested 1 Dec during rallies marking 40th anniversary of Act of Free Choice and Papua’s formal incorporation into Indonesia; banned Morning Star flag raised in various locations

1 February - 3 police, 6 Freeport employees injured 24 Jan in ambush by unidentified gunmen; 3 killed as tribal groups clashed mid-month near Timika. Jeck Kemong named regional Free Papua Movement (OPM) commander 19 Jan, replacing Kelly Kwalik, killed Dec

1 March - Local bupati (regent) claimed killing not related to Free Papua Movement, police say otherwise; second killing in province this year after bus driver killed 27 Jan. 11 Feb murder of TV reporter followed by violent protests in Jayapura

1 April - demonstrators in Jayapura 18, 22 March called for provincial legislators to meet with US President Obama during planned visit to discuss Papuan grievances; at least 15 protesters arrested. Other demonstrations held across province 22 March

1 May - 2 workers killed 13 Apr in Puncak Jaya, allegedly by Free Papua Movement fighters. 3 police officers injured, 25 civilians detained 15 Apr following tribal clashes in Kwamki Lama, Mimika. Police 22 Apr detained 20 West Papua National Authority demonstrators, protesting against recent Papua-Jakarta dialogue initiative, in Manokwari. Local elections in 32 districts postponed 18

1 June - Thousands demonstrated 18 May in Jayapura demanding govt implement decree requiring regional election candidates be indigenous Papuan amid continuing confusion over electoral laws. In Puncak Jaya regency, military 17 May killed suspected separatist; 21 May attack by suspected separatists on military post left 3 injured. Tribal conflict erupted in Timika 24 May.

1 July - Papuan People’s Council held forum 9-10 June concerning Special Autonomy; culminated in 18 June estimated 2,000-person march to Papuan Legislative Assembly building to demand dialogue with Jakarta over perceived failure of Special Autonomy Law

1 August - Demonstrations demanding referendum on Papuan independence continued: some 2,500 in largely peaceful 8 July protest across province; protesters occupied provincial parliament in Jayapura

I cannot have missed all these stories in the PNG media. Why did these news items go missing?

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees representative, Walpurga Englbrecht, said in March that there are nearly 10,000 West Papuans in PNG. But the UNHCR does not recognise them as refugees!

Meanwhile what of our courageous leader?

16 March - President Yudhoyono also expressed satisfaction over Sir Michael’s reaffirmation of the PNG Government’s recognition of Papua and West Papua as an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia. (Post-Courier)

Sori tumas!