Updated February 24, 2011 18:16:46
The ramifications of the fast moving events in Libya
and the middle east could be felt as far away as Papua in Indonesia, a
Sydney Conference has been told.
A movement for greater autonomy
or even independence from Indonesia has been active since Papua was
absorbed by the Muslim state in 1969.
Its been at times
ruthlessly suppressed by successive governments in Jakarta fearful of
the breakup of national unity and the loss of rich resources.
But
observers say with demands for greater democracy reverberating around
the world there might be a new willingness in Jakarta to take on board
the calls for change.
Presenter: Karon Snowdon
Speakers:
Peter King, from Sydney University's Centre for Peace and Conflict
Studies; John Otto Ondawame, Vice President of the West Papuan National
Coalition for Liberation; Jacob Rumbiak, coordinator of the foreign
office of the West Papua National Authority
SNOWDON: Indonesia has faced strong resistance to its rule in Papua or West Papua as its also known.
The
complaints include the appalling human rights record of the security
forces, lack of development, resource stripping, cultural insensitivity
and unwelcome migrants.
Often these complaints have been ignored or dealt with inadequately, but perhaps this is changing.
KING:
The political situation in Jakarta is now being driven by events in
Papua and also international reaction to what's happening in Papua.
SNOWDON:
Peter King, is the convenor of the West Papua Project at the Centre for
Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney, where he spoke
at an international conference on Papua.
Peter King says the
Government of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been embarrassed by the
worldwide release of the video showing Papuan men being tortured by
Indonesian security.
And by the symbolic return of special autonomy to Jakarta through huge public demonstrations in June last year.
Indonesia's effort at appeasement, special autonomy has been a failure.
KING:
Anybody would be encouraged by what's gone on in the Middle East. And
the Papuans are even more mobilised than those Arab populations were,
its a kind of permanent Papuan mobilisation against Jakarta. And the
tactic so far of cultivating an enriched elite of beaurocrats and
politicians which has been the main Indonesian strategy to pacify
Papuans plus the influx of migrants from outside Papua, that's not
going to wash in the post-Tahir Square millieu that we're living in.
SNOWDON: And there has been something of a breakthrough.
Jacob Rumbiak, was gaoled for nine years, part of the time he spent with East Timor's Xanana Gusmao.
He
returned to Jakarta for the first time this month at the invitation of
the Indonesian government. He's now an academic and the coordinator of
the foreign office of the West Papua National Authority, which he calls
the transitional government of an independent West Papua.
He was afforded high level access over two weeks of talks in Jakarta.
RUMBIAK:
Visiting Jakarta is part of how to negotiate with Jakarta about how to
build trust between Jakarta and the people of West Papua.
SNOWDON: To what end, independence or just more autonomy for Papua?
RUMBIAK:
The aim is based on democratic. Let Papuans choose. If they want to
integrate with Indonesia its OK but when they want to (be) independent,
that's the right.
SNOWDON: A lack of unity in the past has set back the resistance movement.
John
Otto Ondawame, the Vice President of the West Papuan National Coalition
for Liberation, based in Vanuatu says a united call for dialogue for
the peaceful resolution of issues with Indonesia mean the old divisions
have ended.
ONDAWAME: Papuans are united in their aspirations for political change.
SNOWDON: Are the groups working together successfully now?
ONDAWAME:
Yes we're working together both inside West Papua in the guerilla camp
in the jungle and also in the outside world to raise the voices of the
West Papuans to the international community that we are united.
SNOWDON:
And he calls on the Melanesian Spearhead Group and the Pacific Island
Forum to do more to promote reconciliation between Indonesia and Papua.
ONDAWAME:
These two bodies must stand coll together to address the issue of West
Papua and to send a fact finding mission to investigate the human
rights situation in West Papua and other related issues.
SNOWDON:
Given the recent case of torture case against members the Indonesian
military do you see any change in Jakarta and in the President's office
towards a better deal for Papua?
ONDAWAME: The culture of torture (by the) military has continued for the past 54 years after occupation.
SNOWDN: Is there no improvement?
ONDAWAME: No improvement at all.
SNOWDON: Peter King says greater exposure through social media and international scrutiny will push the pendulum Papua's way.
KING:
As things are going Jakarta is not capable of containing the Papua
issue internationally. It might contain it with violence in Papua but
its not going to contain it internationally, and that's the thing
that's going to make the difference.
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/pacbeat/stories/201102/s3148222.htm
