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Political struggle in Jakarta must not spark conflict in Papua

(Jayapura - West Papua: June 07, 2001)

The feuding among the political elite in Jakarta, mainly between President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur) and Vice President Megawati Sukarnoputri, has triggered tension in the legislature, executive and judiciary, and confusion among the Indonesian people. Consequently, the armed forces (TNI and POLRI), said to be 'neutral', are now politically pro-active, as evidenced in the cabinet reshuffle when the president replaced five ministers on June 01. The replacement of National Police Chief Gen. S. Bimantoro by Deputy Chaeruddin Ismail prompted a declaration from 102 high officers of the National Indonesian Police against the presidential directive, defying the executive branch of government.

According to information from http://www.koridor.com/indekx.htm June 03, there were strong indications the security forces seriously considered a take-over of power. Moreover, the military hierarchy refused the replacement of Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. This defiance and refusal has shown that the defence force cannot claim non-involvement in practical politics, especially when the multi-dimensional crisis facing this country has impact both nationally and internationally.

The escalating political tension and the growing uneasiness of provincial demands for independence, as in Aceh and Papua, has resulted in mobilization of additional security forces to the conflict-zones. At Trikora Military Command information section, Lt.Col. AM. Siregar confirmed for ELS-HAM (June 06) that the reasons for deploying more troops were threefold: firstly, to safeguard the national territory along the boundary with PNG (Papua New Guinea); secondly, to protect national vital projects such as the Freeport Company; and thirdly, to maintain peace and order in areas considered politically unstable.

The Trikora Military Command and Police Commander of Papua estimated that about 7,000 non-structural soldiers are in Papua, and 1,084 personnel from the Police Elite Mobile Brigade Unit. According to ELS-HAM estimates, since the last MPR General Assembly in August 2000, at which accusations were made of a so-called 'separatist movement' in Papua, between 15,000 and 20,000 additional troops have been deployed.

The mobilisation of security forces to Papua is part of a strategy to anticipate separatism in Papua, according to a confidential document of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, June 2001. The Cenderawasih Pos Daily (April 10) noted that the National Air Base for Eastern Indonesia will be on Biak. Madiun in Central Java is the other main air base. Even prior to this announcement, Biak people protested when AURI (Indonesian Air Force) utilised warplanes based in Biak (specifically the Hawk 100 and Hawk 200 made in the U.K.) for terrorising Papuans, sometimes even in Biak. As this contravened the terms according to which the aircraft were purchased, an alternative warplane was employed, the US Sky Hawk.

The above-mentioned provides grounds for serious concern because of the continuing death toll in Papua at the hands of security forces. As recorded by ELS-HAM, there have been 95 summary killings from July 1998 to May 2001.

As well, the security forces are responsible for 623 cases of arbitrary arrests and torture that, in some instances, resulted in death in custody.

Some provocative statements by Theys H. Eluay have caused confusion, such as that quoted in KOMPAS Daily (March 06). The Papua Presidium Council (PDP), Theys said, will set up a transitional government in Papua if Gus Dur is forced to step down. Thaha Al Hamid (PDP General Secretary) said that the situation in Jakarta will influence the Papuan struggle for independence. Such statements might cause an emotional response that can invite security force repression and lead to more casualties.

Yosepha Alomang, a West Papuan woman who was awarded the prestigious 'Goldman Environmental Prize 2001', stated that the Provincial Government of Papua must respond to such politically uncertain situations in order to stop the deployment of troops to Papua. She demands that non-structural security forces in Papua be withdrawn. Churches and NGOs must be pro-active to observe and closely assess the situation so that provocation is avoided. The international community should be aware that because of their economic and political interests, more troops are coming to West Papua and more people will be sacrificed.

She said: " Pressure should be put on the Government of Indonesia and its security forces to avoid repressive acts, and to begin dialogue for solving the many existing problems."

Accordingly, ELS-HAM Papua proposes the following concrete steps to avoid repressive actions:

1.The People's Assembly, Parliament and Government should hold talks with TNI and POLRI immediately to stop dropping or deploying security forces to the conflict areas in Indonesia , as part of avoiding repression expanding on the local/regional level.

2. The Provincial Parliament and Government must hold talks with KODAM XVII Trikora and POLDA Papua to reduce and stop the dropping of troops in Papua.

3. KODAM XVII Trikora and Polda Irian Jaya must give explanations to the people about the reasons behind the deployment of such large numbers of troops to Papua.

4. Churches should encourage their members to analyse critically every piece of information in order to avoid provocation.

5. Political activities should be astute and careful in making decisions that can endanger Papuan lives.

6. Papuan people should avoid any provocation that is designed to sacrifice others and avoid any action or brutality that may lead to a repressive response from the security forces.

ELSHAM

LEMBAGA STUDI DAN ADVOKASI HAK ASASI MANUSIA

Intitute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy

Jl. Kampus ISTP Padang Bulan Jayapura PAPUA BARAT

Telp/Facs: 62-(+)967-581600; E-mail: elsham_irja @jayapura.wasantara.net.id

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