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Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] AMP Meets the ICRC
=================================================================================
Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN/ID]] Statement of the Human Rights Victims in Mapnduma West Papua
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Subj: Nabire Cooling Down But A Key Eyewitness Died
========================================================================
Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] Indonesian Greens attack Kissenger
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Subj: WALHI Blasts Kissinger's Freeport Statement
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Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] Personal account from Nabire
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Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] More deaths in nabire
==========================================================================
Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] PJR publishes special issue on Timor, West Papua
===============================================================================
Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN]GUS DUR: DONT SELL PAPUAS' FUTURE TO HENRY KISSINGER
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Subj: Thousands attack police station in West Papua violence
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Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] Kissenger and freeport
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Subj: W Papua Congress Rejects 1969 Plebiscite
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Subj: Statement of the West Papuan Grand Assembly, 23-26 February 2000
===================================================
=================================================================================
Subj: Indon Environment Min Wants Review of Freeport Contract
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Subj: Jakarta Must Respect Irian Jaya Or Lose It -Governor
===================================================================================== Subj: Indon Govt Report Blasts Freeport for Environmental Damage
=================================================================================
Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] Security Situation To Return To Normal Soon, Says President
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Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] Rais rejects Kissinger=92s statement
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Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] 2 articles: Freeport
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Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN]Papuan Legislators Meet House of Assembly
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Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] Warning shots fired as police attempt to clear streets in Irian Jaya (more)
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Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] AMP Meets the ICRC
=================================================================================
Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN/ID]] Statement of the Human Rights Victims in Mapnduma West Papua
===============================================================================
Subj: Nabire Cooling Down But A Key Eyewitness Died
========================================================================
Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] Indonesian Greens attack Kissenger
=======================================================================
Subj: WALHI Blasts Kissinger's Freeport Statement
===========================================================================
Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] Personal account from Nabire
==========================================================================
Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] More deaths in nabire
==========================================================================
Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] PJR publishes special issue on Timor, West Papua
===============================================================================
Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN]GUS DUR: DONT SELL PAPUAS' FUTURE TO HENRY KISSINGER
========================================================================
Subj: Thousands attack police station in West Papua violence
======================================================================
Subj: KABAR-IRIAN: [EN] Kissenger and freeport
=====================================================================
Subj: W Papua Congress Rejects 1969 Plebiscite
===================================================================================
Subj: Statement of the West Papuan Grand Assembly, 23-26 February 2000
============================================================
Subj: W Papua Congress Rejects 1969 Plebiscite Copyright 2000
Date: 3/2/00 1:11:57 PM Central Standard Time
From: admin@irja.org (Admin)
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From: Ottis Simopiaref
ALIANSI MAHASISWA PAPUA MEETS ICRC
by Sem Karoba
Dear all,
Today, February 28, 2000, the Alliance of Students of
West Papua (AMP) met the Team of International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) investigating the
Geselema masacre, May 9, 1996.
It is inevitable that the ICRC is needed in West Papua
when human rights violations, murder, rape, bombings
and such happen in the near future. But at the same
time, it is clear that the people in West Papua do not
trust the ICRC as a credible organisation anymore due
to the massacre above mentioned.
The AMP representative to Europe had special meeting
with the Team in charge with the Internal Inquiry Team
in Geneva today.
Here are the results:
1. The IRCR asked for the AMP to play its role in
building the confidence of the people of West Papua on
the role of the ICRC for West Papua people,
2. The result of the internal inquiry will be released
at least at the end of March 2000,
3. The IRCR welcomed the initiative of the AMP to
check what is happening with the inquiry,
4. There will be several meetings held between tribal
leaders, victims of the murder, the OPM and Indonesian
government in order to redeem the ICRC reputation in
West Papua and to build the trust of the people there,
The full coverage of the meeting is video-taped on a
VHS format.
Thanks and keep up fighting.
******************************
OTTIS SIMOPIAREF
Van Uvenweg 134-I
6707 BH Wageningen
The Netherlands
Ph.: +31.6.25575496
Email: osimopiaref@netscape.net
FREE West Papua from the Indonesian Colonialism
******************************
____________________________________________________________________
Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://webm=
ail.netscape.com.
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/2/00 1:12:18 PM Central Standard Time
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X-Sender: elsham_irja@jayapura.wasantara.net.id
Summary
It has been 4 years now (1996 - 2000) the people of Mapnduma in the Central
Highlands of West Papua suffering from the the hostage crisis and military
operation conducted by the Indonesian Military. They have experienced
various gross human rights violations (extra-judicial killings, rapes,
torture and their belongings destroyed) including their freedoms
imprisoned. Eyewitnesses reported that the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC) had been implicated in the human rights violations, as
well as the British SAS, the mercenaries from South Africa and the Dutch.
Based on the facts that the people are experiencing they have come out with
the statement below. The statement dated 26 February 2000 calls for
accountibility of those parties that implicated (ICRC, Indonesian
Government, the Dutch, British and South Africa).
-----------------------------------------------------
Click here for Free Video!!
http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/3/00 6:23:56 AM Central Standard Time
From: tapol@gn.apc.org (TAPOL)
To: reg.westpapua@gn.apc.org
NABIRE COOLING DOWN BUT A KEY EYEWITNESS DIED
Report ELS-HAM at 10:00 am
3 March 2000
After days of clashes between the security aparaturs (Brimob and military)
and the Papuans in Nabire West Papua since February 28 this morning (10:00)
3 March ELS-HAM's sources in nabire reported that the situation is now
calming down. "Today people walking around in the streets. Government
employees go to their offices, but not the school children yet. Merpati
flight to Nabire from Biak arrived this morning as scheduled, except cessna
flights to the interior of West Papua now stoped due to this tensed
situation, " says Mathius O, ELS-HAM's source in Nabire.
Despite this recovering situation of Nabire ELS-HAM's source in Nabire also
reported this morning that Mr. Willem Manimnwarba (27) a key eyewitness to
the shooting of Mr. Menase Erari (28) on 28 february insident who was shot
by the police yesterday (2 March) at Oyehe - Taman Gizi, Nabire where the
west papuan and indonesian flags flying died in the Nabire Hospital. As
ELS-HAM reported yesterday (2 March) Mr. Willem Manimnwarba was wounded by
the shootings that fired by Brimob and Yonif 753 troops who were on a
civilian ambullance and 6 army trucks.
When confirmed with docter Osok at Nabire Hospital this morning he said
that Mr. Willem Manimnwarba died because of bleeding from his wounds in the
left hand and right foot. "He died at 4:00 am at the hospital. He died
because of the bleeding from his wounds. We gave him anti-biotik and have
recommended him to be sent to Jayapura hospital today (3 March)," said
docter Osok.
Docter Osok also confirmed to ELS-HAM that a car from Farmachy Store Nabire
Hospital has been used by the securities (Brimob and military) to arrest
and torture people including shooting to the people that gathered near the
flag pole. "Because of this (the car being used by the security) our
employees under threats by the people," complained docter Osok. But he said
that the hospital never allowed the security to use their car.
With the death of Willem Manimnwarba ELS-HAM's sources in Nabire said that
if there isn't any urgent steps taken to coll down this situation there
would be hard to prevent violence to occur anytime.
For further information contact:
John Rumbiak, Supervisor
Lembaga Studi dan Advokasi Hak Asasi Manusia (ELS-HAM)
Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy (Ihrstad)
Jl. Kampus STTJ - Padang Bulan, Jayapura - West Papua
Tel/Fax: 62-967-581600; email: els-ham_irja@jayapura.wasantara.net.id
-----------------------------------------------------
Click here for Free Video!!
http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign
111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath,
Surrey CR7 8HW, UK
Phone: 0181 771-2904 Fax: 0181 653-0322
email: tapol@gn.apc.org
Internet: www.gn.apc.org/tapol
Campaigning to expose human rights violations in
Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua and Aceh
26 years - and still going strong
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Date: 3/2/00 10:39:15 AM Central Standard Time
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You are in: World: Asia-Pacific
Wednesday, 1 March, 2000, 13:27 GMT
Indonesian greens criticise
Kissinger on Freeport
A prominent Indonesian environmental group has
criticised the former American secretary of state,
Henry Kissinger, who's announced his new job as
adviser to the Indonesian President.
Dr Kissinger has urged the President, Abdurrahman
Wahid, to uphold existing contracts with the Freeport
mine in the province of Irian Jaya, saying it will
reassure international investors about doing business
with Indonesia.
Dr Kissinger is a member of Freeport's board of
directors.
The Environmental Forum for Indonesia says it's
apprehensive about Dr Kissinger arguing Freeport's
case, and warned him not to bully the government.
Freeport's gold and copper mining operations have
attracted international criticism for their impact on Irian
Jaya's people and its natural environment. Last week
the government announced it would review an
environmental impact report on the mine.
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/1/00 4:41:19 AM Central Standard Time
From: tapol@gn.apc.org (TAPOL)
To: indonesia-act@igc.apc.org, reg.westpapua@gn.apc.org
Received from Joyo Indonesian News
Indonesian Observer
March 1, 2000
Walhi protests Kissinger's Freeport statement
JAKARTA (IO) — A leading environmental group yesterday slammed former US
secretary of state Henry Kissinger for urging Indonesia not to review
business deals with giant copper and mining company PT Freeport Indonesia.
The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) said the statement was a
form of "intimidation" against the Indonesian government considering that
Freeport Indonesia was accused of pollution in Irian Jaya, where the company
is based.
"We, Walhi, strongly protest against Kissinger's statement because it sounds
like intimidation. We think his statement is unethical, bullying and ignores
the democratization process now underway in the country," said a statement
signed by Walhi leader Emmy Hafild.
Kissinger is a member of the board of directors Freeport's parent company,
Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc.
Hafild said it was improper for a former minister of a country that upholds
democracy and human rights to act like that. "It is unfair of Henry Kissinger
to ask Gus Dur to respect a work contract that was signed by [former
president] Soeharto," she said.
She accused Kissinger of making use of his power as a former foreign minister
to pressure the Indonesian president.
Kissinger on Monday with President Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus
Dur, who then appointed him as his political advisor.
The former US secretary of state said Indonesia should respect working
contracts it signed with Freeport, otherwise no foreign investor would come
to Indonesia.
In response, Gus Dur said the government would not make any change to the
mining contracts, but told Freeport to provide special care for people in
Irian Jaya.
Walhi's statement said environment groups around the world have been fighting
for years to overcome environmental problems caused by Freeport's activities.
The Amungme tribe in Irian Jaya where Freeport operates, struggled for years
to assert their rights and make their voice heard. Their voice and rights had
long been ignored by Soeharto, she said.
Now when the Amungme people's struggle was beginning to draw the attention of
parliament, Henry Kissinger had come to cite unethical reasons to protect the
company which was making profits at the expense of the environmental
interests of the locals, she said.
Walhi urged the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) to go ahead
with their plans to evaluate and assess Freeport's performance and work
contracts.
The government and the House should not be influenced by Kissinger's
pressure, said the group.
Walhi said PT Freeport's working contracts were made by Soeharto when the
situation was undemocratic with House members merely acting as rubber stamps
and people living in fear. The contract was also made in a business
atmosphere that did not respect the people's aspirations and the democratic
mechanism to make decisions, said Hafild.
She said the Indonesian government, the people and the House were at present
just embarking on building a system based on democratic principles, and
Kissinger has to respect that. If he really represents the US, which always
puts democracy above financial considerations, he should adjust the company's
contract, she added.
Hafild said Freeport's work contract "is not legitimate in the eyes of the
Indonesian people because it was made by Soeharto during a transitional
period from the Old Order to the New Order and under a wrong system and
mechanism".
The contract was also made without the involvement of local people and when
Papua was still not a part of Indonesia, she said.
---
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign
111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath,
Surrey CR7 8HW, UK
Phone: 0181 771-2904 Fax: 0181 653-0322
email: tapol@gn.apc.org
Internet: www.gn.apc.org/tapol
Campaigning to expose human rights violations in
Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua and Aceh
26 years - and still going strong
Date: 3/1/00 11:54:36 PM Central Standard Time
From: admin@irja.org
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Admin note: Edited to protect privacy
Yesterday (Tuesday),I came to Jayapura,
indigenous people who ... have refused to lower the ... flag ... since
they put it up on December 1 ... Monday night we heard that some
people had been shot.
We have known for months that we should be prepared in case we ever
had to leave Nabire due to the local situation.
The roads in town were blocked and guarded. Trees had been felled
across them. In many places there were armed guards, and anyone who
dared to venture out was stopped ... I took the back road
A
After we were all together a
in the past the boat has taken us to different islands
After a while the speedboat arrived with the driver and 2 men to
assist. We were waiting on the beach. We loaded our things and the 2
men carried the youngest children, and we waded out and climbed in the
boat. Just after I sat down, a big wave hit, and the boat tipped way
over to one side. It seemed like we were all going to be dumped in
the ocean! Then another big wave hit from the other side, and the
same thing happened but in the opposite direction! This happened
several more times until we were all in, and the motor was started so
we could get underway.
After we got to the
made to take all of us ... to Sentani. A
and a half after arriving
We arrived in Sentani about 3:15 p.m. I was glad to see my friends.
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/1/00 2:29:28 PM Central Standard Time
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The Jakarta Post. National news March 02 2000
(ADMIN NOTE: The police claim they did not shoot the original victim.
However, with two more deaths from gunshot wounds and 9 others in hospital
also from gunshot wounds one cannot help but question the validity of the
Police's claim)
Nabire clash claims two more lives
NABIRE, Irian Jaya (JP): Two people who were shot in
Monday's clash in Nabire died on Wednesday, bringing
the death toll to three.
Sources at Sri Wini General Hospital identified the
latest
casualties as Maximus Bunay, 27, and Dapius Sani, 16.
The first victim killed in Monday's melee was Manase
Erary, 28.
At least nine others, all aged between 17 and 35, were
still
being treated at the hospital for gunshot wounds received
during the three days of unrest.
Meanwhile, a fresh clash erupted in Nabire when locals
attacked a police station on Wednesday in protest of the
death of Manase.
Nabire Police chief Lt. Col. Faisal AN said about 50
people
attacked the barracks of the Police Mobile Brigade
(Brimob).
"They were armed with spears, arrows and other
traditional
weapons," he said.
The clash in Nabire broke out on Monday following a
weapons sweep by the brigade on suspected supporters of
the proindependence movement here.
Manase, a student at the local Public Administration
Institute, was allegedly hit by a bullet when trying to
calm
the tense situation.
Locals said Manase was shot by police. Police have denied
the accusation. Irian Jaya Police chief Brig. Gen. S.Y.
Wenas also denied allegations that police fired at
Manase.
He claimed on Wednesday that Manase was killed by the
paramilitary Papua Task Force (Satgas Papua).
"It was a CIS bullet (a hunting bullet) from a handmade
rifle
which killed Manase. The bullet removed from the victim's
head wound can be used as evidence," Wenas said.
Meanwhile in Jayapura, a group of Papuan leaders staged a
protest demanding the National Commission on Human
Rights (Komnas Ham) investigate all rights abuses in the
easternmost province.
The protesters marched to the Irian Jaya Police
Headquarters in Jayapura to read a statement signed by 52
tribal leaders, youth leaders and women leaders from 13
regencies.
Evi Kobogau, who read the statement, said the commission
should come to Irian Jaya to investigate the rights
abuses,
including past cases, such as in Mapnduma in 1996, Biak
in
July 1998, Sorong in July 1999, Manokwari in September
1999, Timika in December 1999, Merauke in February 2000
and the latest incident in Nabire.
"All the abuses were caused by violence and shootings by
Indonesian Military members in response to the demand
for West Papua independence," Evi said. (eba/edt/sur)
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/1/00 10:26:21 AM Central Standard Time
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From: Journ12
To: Pacific Media Watch
Organization: Journalism, University of the South Pacific
Title -- 2587 REGION: PJR publishes special issue on Timor, West Papua
Date -- 1 March 2000
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pacific Media Watch
Source -- Journalism, University of the South Pacific, 1/3/00
Copyright -- Journalism USP
Status -- Unabridged
-------------------
PJR PUBLISHES SPECIAL ISSUE ON TIMOR, WEST PAPUA
SUVA: A Walkley Ward-winning expose on alleged mercenary involvement in
the 1996 hostage massacre in West Papua, an inside story on the media
reportage after the vote for independence in East Timor, and the
reconstruction of the press in Dili are featured in the latest edition
of Pacific Journalism Review.
An untold story of betrayal and deceit was finally exposed last year by
ABC Four Corner's Mark Davis.
The review has published the script of the award-winning investigative
report.
"By stripping away the truth over the hostages kidnapped by the OPM in
1996 and exposing what really happened in the final scenes of the rescue
tragedy with alleged Red Cross and other foreign involvement, Davis has
helped refocus world attention on the injustices in the western Pacific
colony," noted PJR in its editorial.
"He deservedly won a Walkley Award for this chilling and enterprising
report."
PJR quotes Davis as saying:
"These people are truly on their own. In their eyes, it's not just
Indonesians who want to see them dead.
"It's Americans who want their gold, the British or the Dutch who send
soldiers after them, the United Nations who gave away their land, and
now they think the Red Cross has betrayed them as well."
In East Timor, the choice was stark and traumatic for Australian
journalist Liam Phelan, known in the Pacific for his training courses in
the Fiji Islands. While journalists were busy with their rushed exodus
in the wake of the self-determination vote, an orgy of organised state
destruction was being carried in front of their noses.
Phelan stayed behind with the Timorese and his report in PJR outlines
those critical days.
Also featured in this edition of Pacific Journalism Review are Fiji
Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry's stand-off with the news media; Tongan
Times editor Kalafi Moala's profile on the reality of free speech in
Tonga; Savea Sano Malifa's update on the Samoa Observer saga; Queensland
University's Centre for Democracy deputy director Ian Ward's spelling
out of the dangers facing the press in a Fiji media freedom day address;
Pacific Islands Report editor Al Hulsen's browsing of the Pacific; and
Philip Cass' examination of kastom law and the Pacific media.
The edition includes an author index for all six volumes of the journal.
PJR subscriptions are available on its website:
http://www.asiapac.org.fj/PJR/
or single editions (F$10) can be ordered from the University of the
South Pacific Bookshop. Fax: (679) 303265. Email: Kullack_A@usp.ac.fj
+++niuswire
PACIFIC MEDIA WATCH is an independent, non-profit, non-government
organisation comprising journalists, lawyers, editors and other media
workers, dedicated to examining issues of ethics, accountability,
censorship, media freedom and media ownership in the Pacific region.
Launched in October 1996, it has links with the Journalism Program at
the University of the South Pacific, Bushfire Media, the Australian
Centre for Independent
Journalism, and Pactok Communications, in Sydney and Port Moresby.
(c)1996-2000 Copyright - All rights reserved.
Items are provided solely for review purposes as a non-profit
educational service. Copyright remains the property of the original
producers as indicated. Recipients should seek permission from the
copyright owner for any publishing. Copyright owners not wishing their
materials to be posted by PMW please contact us. The views expressed in
material listed by PMW are not necessarily the views of PMW or its
members.
Recipients should rely on their own inquiries before making decisions
based on material listed in PMW. Please copy appeals to PMW and
acknowledge source.
For further information, inquiries about joining the Pacific Media Watch
listserve, articles for publication, and giving feedback contact Pacific
Media Watch at:
E-mail:
niusedita@pactok.net.au
or:
bfmedia@mpx.com.au
Fax: (+679) 30 5779 or (+612) 9660 1804
Mail: PO Box 9, Annandale, NSW 2038, Australia
or, c/o Journalism, PO Box 1168, Suva, Fiji
Website: http://www.pactok.net/docs/pmw/
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/1/00 10:26:49 AM Central Standard Time
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GUS DUR: DON'T SELL PAPUA'S FUTURE TO HENRY KISSINGER
Henry Kissinger takes advantage of his status as ex US Secretary of State
to
push the President of the Republic of Indonesia to respect the Contract o=
f
Work (COW) of PT. Freeport Indonesia Company. Henry Kissinger even threat=
ens
Indonesia by saying that if the government does not respect COW, there wi=
ll
be no investors come to this country. We, Indonesian Forum for Environmen=
t
(WALHI), condemn Mr. Kissinger's statement which is said in purpose to
intimidate; furthermore we regard this statement as unethical, bullish, a=
nd
ignoring democratization process taking place now in Indonesia. This cond=
uct
is not supposed to be done by an ex Secretary of State of a country that
glorifies democracy and human rights.
It is really not fair if Henry Kissinger asks Gus Dur to give respect to =
the
COW signed by Suharto. Gus Dur is the first president of the Republic of
Indonesia that is elected in the most democratic way and situation -free =
of
fear-ever. It is for the first time, since 1955, in this Republic to have=
legislatures which are elected in democratic atmosphere. Henry Kissinger =
-by
what he has done-tries to underestimate all that is being struggled by th=
e
people of Indonesia.
For years, environmental movements all over the globe has struggled for t=
he
serious action to environmental problems caused by Freeport's activities.=
For years, the Amungme people have struggled for their rights to be
respected and heard. For years, these voices were ignored by Suharto. Now=
when the time comes for all the struggles get the attention of Indonesian=
people's representatives, Henry Kissinger unethically uses the unreasonab=
le
and unnecessary excuses to protect the company, from which he has got a l=
ot
of advantages. Advantages that is being sucked from the blood of the peop=
le
of Amungme, from dirt that is irresponsibly being dumped to a clean and
beautiful environment.
The Contract of Work was made in Suharto's regime, in an undemocratic
situation, when the legislature was just a government's stamp-body, and
people lived in fear. The COW was signed in a situation which did not giv=
e
any respect to aspirations and democratic mechanism. It means the COW was=
signed in a wrong system. AT this moment, the government, the people, and=
the legislature are in the process of building a correct system, the one
based on the pure democracy principles. Henry Kissinger must give respect=
to
this process, and must be willing to adjust their COW, if he really
represents the interest of the United States which puts democracy on top
priority instead of material advantages.
Justification for the review of PT. Freeport's Contract of Work:
The COW is not legitimate to Indonesian people since it was signed in
Suharto's era, when there was a shift of the Old Order to the New Order, =
and
in a wrong governance system and mechanism.
The COW was made with no regard to local people's participation and done =
in
an incorrect manner. Even Papua, at that moment, had not been a part of t=
he
Republic of Indonesia. All the legal basis used to legitimate this COW, s=
uch
as the 1945 Constitution (UUD 1945), the Mining Basic Act (UU Pokok
Pertambangan), the Foreign Capital Investment Act (UU Penanaman Modal
Asing), and the Agrarian Basic Act (UU Pokok Agraria) was not valid in
Papua.
The Second COW was signed before the first COW ends, by which Freeport ha=
d
already known a huge gold ore deposit in Grassberg -the government of
Indonesia didn't have any idea about this, or pretended not knowing about=
the biggest gold ore deposit in the world. It is very clear that there wa=
s
effort to disguise the phenomenon of this deposit from the GOI while sign=
ing
in the second COW.
Environmental matters are not in detail mentioned in the clauses of the C=
OW.
Even the second COW doesn't say anything about Mine Closure, neither the
guarantee-fund for the mine closure operations, whereas is the standard o=
f
mining operation around the world.
A clause in the COW (article 20 of force ignorance) states that the
Government of Indonesia (GOI) has a legal right to end the contract, if
Freeport neglects their responsibilities and the clauses stated in the CO=
W,
by mean of warnings and time to revise the ignorances in 180 days. It is =
too
early for Kissinger to say to the GOI to respect the COW while the
assessment of the presumed abuses are still undergoing process by the
legislature, the government, and the people of Indonesia. Henry Kissinger=
unfairly tries to beat the assessment using political diplomacy and ignor=
e
the clauses in the COW itself.
Actually, the ignorance had happened so many times. For example is the
incident of a big flood flowed over Wanagon lake in 1998, the acid mine
drainage detected from the overburden stockpiles, the copper-polluted
mollusk in Timika estuary (it proves a very high copper concentration in
Ajkwa river area). These phenomena must not happen and need to be managed=
in
their Environmental Management Plan (RKL).
The Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) conducted by the Environmenta=
l
Impact Agency (Bapedal) proves not to show people's aspiration and maximu=
m
protection to the environment due to a very high political pressure. Wher=
eas
in fact, the environmental destruction caused by this mining operation is=
so
tremendous that it will influence the prosperity and the future of Papua.=
Regarding those matters, we urge the legislature and the GOI not be
influenced by Mr. Kissinger's intimidation and continue the transparent
process to evaluate and conduct an assessment to Freeport's performance a=
nd
Contract of Work.
Jakarta, February 29, 2000
Emmy Hafild
Executive Director
WALHI-Indonesian Forum for Environment
Friends of the Earth Indonesia
Jl. Tegal Parang Utara No. 14, Jakarta 12790
Tel.+62 21 7919-3363; Fax.+62 21 7941-673
Email. walhi@walhi.or.id; URL. http://www.walhi.or.id
____________________________________________________________________
Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://webm=
ail.netscape.com.
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/1/00 1:40:46 PM Central Standard Time
From: iris@matra.com.au (Anne Noonan)
To: reg.westpapua@gn.apc.org
Thousands attack police station in West Papua violence
Thousands of people have attacked a police station in
Indonesia's easternmost province of West Papua, formerly
known
as Irian Jaya.
Police officials say an estimated two-thousand people
took
part in the attack, in protest at the death of a man on
Monday
during a violent protest.
About 50 Papuans attacked the barracks of the police
Mobile
Brigade, a crack paramilitary unit.
Police say the protestors are armed with arrows, spears
and
other traditional weapons.
-----------------------------------------------
Australia West Papua Association, Sydney
PO BOX 65
Millers Point, NSW
Australia 2000
Tel/fax 61 2 99601698
iris@matra.com.au
Date: 3/1/00 2:33:59 PM Central Standard Time
From: admin@irja.org
Sender: owner-kabar-irian@irja.org
Reply-to: admin@irja.org
www.KABAR-IRIAN.com & www.IRJA.org
See http://www.irja.org/eypij.htm for the correct meaning of Irian
For KI help or information see the end of this message
Jakarta Post, English Ed., Opinion and Letters, March 02, 2000
Kissinger's friendship toward Indonesia
I have a friend who once worked for Freeport in Tembaga
Pura. One of the things he noticed when he was there was
that there is now a massive hole in the ground where a
rather large mountain used to be. He also observed that
the
local people were reaping very little benefit from having
the
world's largest copper and gold mine on their doorstep,
and
that the rivers around the mine were an interesting
(albeit
rather unnatural) color. His list of serious concerns was
a
long one and he returned to his home country extremely
disillusioned with Freeport's enterprise in Irian Jaya.
According to Henry Kissinger (self-proclaimed friend of
Indonesia), the government should not raise such
concerns. The contract should be respected because it is
in
the interests of Indonesia since "you want investment
from
all over the world", he announced on Feb. 28. Kissinger
must know, but will not mention, that the original
Freeport
contract was made with a corrupt and self-serving regime
that would have sold the country's soul if it would mean
an
extra zillion bucks in its own pocket. He also must know
that the people of Irian Jaya deride the contract simply
as a
mechanism for an American company to plunder their
abundant natural resources.
He must also be aware that the company is an
environmental catastrophe in progress. But all this is of
no
consequence, he seems to be saying: the main thing is to
keep the investors happy. And of course, one of the
investors that needs to be kept happy is Kissinger
himself
-- Freeport McMoRan's website lists him as a member of
the board of directors. The manifest self-interest in his
statements is stunning, even for an American ex-secretary
of state.
Indonesia should reject Kissinger's "You need our
investment so let us do what we want" argument as it
simply worships the markets while using Indonesia's
economic woes as an opportunity to exert pressure (You're
down and the markets will kill you if you mess with us,
seems to be the central thrust of his argument). Well,
what
the markets want seldom has any correlation to what is
proper, right and fair, and Indonesia is currently trying
to
set up a system based on these values. Does Indonesia
really need to protect multinationals' right to destroy
the
environment in order to attract foreign investment? The
right to pollute? The right to drain a province's natural
resources? Of course not. Indonesia should insist that
all
investors (including Freeport) apply the same high
standards that they are required to observe when doing
business in their own countries. And stop listening to
advice from friends like Kissinger.
ANDREW TRIGG
Jakarta
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
NOTE: "IRJA.org Inc., the moderator/s and subscribers do not neccessarily
hold to or support the opinions and views expressed in these postings. They
are posted for their news/interest content. "
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Date: 3/1/00 8:38:45 AM Central Standard Time
From: tapol@gn.apc.org (TAPOL)
To: reg.westpapua@gn.apc.org
The Jakarta Post, Monday, February 28, 2000
IRIANESE CONGRESS REJECTS 1969 PLEBESCITE
Jayapura, Irian Jaya
The firts Papuans Congress ended on Saturday with a unanimous rejection of
the 1969 plebecite that incorporated the former Dutch territory into
Indonesia.
In a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Saturday, the 500
congress participants said the popular consultation lacked legitimacy
because the Indonesia government held it without involving eligible voters.
The polls was conducted based on the 1962 New York Agreement between the
UN, Indonesian and the Netherlands.
"Only 0.8 percent of the 80.000 eligible voters took part in the so-called
popular consultation," the congress' declaration signed by local leaders
Theys H.Eluay and Tom Beanal said.
The poll, locally known as Pepera, the acronym Penentuan Pendapat Rakyat
(People's Self determination Vote) was sancitioned after the transger of
power over the western part of the island from the Netherlands to Indonesia
trough the UN in May 1963.
The congress participants called the transfer of power invalid since it was
decided without consulting local people.
Independence demands have been on the rise over the past two years in the
province, the home to one of the word's largest gold and cooper mining
industries, in response to past human rights violations and the unfair
divisions of revenues earned from exploiting its natural resources.
"That is why decide to separate from Indonesia and form a Papua nation ,
"the statement said.
Numerous demonstrations demanding independence have taken across the
province, including one on Dec. 1 where the aMorning Star rebel flag was
hoisted. Several people, including Theys, were questioned following the
incident.
President Abdurrahman Wahid has rejected the independence demands, offering
wideranging autonomy instead.
The latest rally to reject the autonomy offer on Feb.16 ended in violence
leaving a man shot dead and several people including police officers injured.
Independence movements have also been seen in the country's other
resource-rich provinces of Aceh and Riau.
Irianese people are prepared to hold dialogs and other peaceful and
democratic ways in the search for a settlement, the statement added.
Congres participants also expressed their gratitute to President
Abdurrahman Wahid for his decision to change the name of Irian Jaya to
Papua on New Year,s Eve.
"By changing the name, the President has recognized the cultural identity
we have been struggling for, " it said.
Tom Beanal said the statement would be sent to the UN and the governments
for Indonesia, the Netherlands and the United States because of their
alleged refusal to acknowlwdge the political rights of Papuans.
The congress participants decided to set up a Papuan presidium council,
which was tasked with preparations for a bigger congress slated for April.
The presidium comprises tribual, women, youth and student leaders as well
as local scholars and foreign delegatuions.
The four-day congress, which was held in Sentani Hotel, ran peacefully
under the watchful eyes of about 1,000 local security personnel. ***
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign
111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath,
Surrey CR7 8HW, UK
Phone: 0181 771-2904 Fax: 0181 653-0322
email: tapol@gn.apc.org
Internet: www.gn.apc.org/tapol
Campaigning to expose human rights violations in
Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua and Aceh
26 years - and still going strong
Date: 3/1/00 8:43:03 AM Central Standard Time
From: tapol@gn.apc.org (TAPOL)
To: reg.westpapua@gn.apc.org, indonesia-act@igc.apc.org
CC: plovers@gn.apc.org
The following is the text of the statement issued by the Grand Assembly
(Musyawarah Besar) held in Port Numbay (Jayapura) from 23 - 26 February, 2000:
The people of West Papua convey their profound appreciation to the
President of the Republic of Indonesia, K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid who
carefully paid attention to the innermost feelings of the people of West
Papua regarding their sense of identity and decided to change the name of
the region called Irian Jaya to West Papua on 31 December 1999. We shall
therefore, now and forever more, use the name West Papua instead of Irian
Jaya.
The people of West Papua regret and regard as unlawful the transfer of
sovereignty of the people of Papua from the Dutch, through the intermediary
of the United Nations to the Indonesians on 31 October 1963 (sic). This
transfer took place without the agreement of the people of West Papua and
the West Papuan National Council which had the power and authority to
determine the fate of the people of West Papua; this power and authority
was arbitrarily ignored in the New York Agreement concluded on 15 August 1962.
In view of the unlawful transfer of sovereignty of the people of West Papua
by the Netherlands via the intermediary of the United Nations to Indonesia,
the people of West Papua categorically reject the results of the 'Act of
Free Choice' (Pepera) which was conducted by the government of Indonesia on
the basis of the New York Agreement of 15 August 1962.
The people of West Papua reject the results of Pepera held in 1969 for the
following reasons;
The Act of Free Choice was conducted in violation of the terms of the New
York Agreement, Article 18 of which stipulated that an Act of
Self-Determination (not a Pepera!) 'must conform with international practice'.
The way in which the Indonesian government conducted the act of
self-determination, called the Pepera, abolished the rights and political
freedoms of the West Papuan people, by means of political intimidation,
arrests, imprisonment and murder of West Papuans by the military, all of
which was in violation of the New York Agreement.
The 1025 persons selected by Indonesia to take part in Pepera and secure
victory for Indonesia were a tiny group, accounting for a mere 0.8 per cent
of the population of 800,000 people. The remaining 99.2 per cent, the
majority of the people, were subjected to intimidation and were not given
the right to vote.
After being integrated into Indonesia as a result of the unfair and
fraudulent Pepera, we West Papuan people have been a part of the Unitary
State of the Republic of Indonesia during which time we have been subjected
to brutal and inhuman treatment: human rights abuses, killings, rapes,
ignorance, poverty and social injustice and have been subjected to virtual
ethnic and cultural genocide.
We therefore state
* that it is our desire to choose freedom and to separate from the Republic
of Indonesia, as was conveyed by the Papuan people to President Habibie and
members of his reformation cabinet on 26 February 1999 at the presidential
palace.
* that we shall pursue dialogue and peaceful and democratic ways to realise
the wishes of the West Papuan people in order to secure the agreement of
the Indonesian government
This press communique is respectfully submitted to the Indonesian
government, the Dutch government and the United Nations as the parties that
obliterated the political rights of the people of West Papua. It is also
being made available to the nations and states of the world to enable them
to understand our reasons and to give us their support.
Signed on behalf of the Grand Assembly of the West Papuan nation, held on
23 - 26 February 2000 by:
Teis Hiyo Eluay, Great Leader of the Papuan Nation,
Tom Beanal, Great Leader of the Papuan Nation,
Representatives of the Papuan Nation coming from the districts,
Delegates representing political prisoners, groups in the Pacific.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign
111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath,
Surrey CR7 8HW, UK
Phone: 0181 771-2904 Fax: 0181 653-0322
email: tapol@gn.apc.org
Internet: www.gn.apc.org/tapol
Campaigning to expose human rights violations in
Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua and Aceh
26 years - and still going strong
Date: 3/3/00 3:50:14 PM Central Standard Time
From: tapol@gn.apc.org (TAPOL)
To: indonesia-act@igc.apc.org, reg.westpapua@gn.apc.org
Received from Joyo Indonesian News
also: Call for Probe of Freeport Indonesia by Independent Auditor; Send the
National Commission for Human Rights to Freeport; The government asks
concessions from Freeport
Indonesia Environment Min Wants A Review On Freeport
JAKARTA (Dow Jones/March 3)--Indonesian Environment Minister Sonny Keraf said
Friday the government should review the mining contract of gold and copper
miner PT Freeport Indonesia over its environmental record in connection to
its operations in the Indonesian province of Irian Jaya.
"Personally, I think the Freeport contract should be reviewed to (further
efforts to) conserve the environment (near its mining site)," he told
reporters.
Last week, Keraf said Freeport Indonesia, a unit of Freeport-McMoRan Copper &
Gold Inc. (FCX) of the U.S., was neglecting its obligations to conserve the
environment around its mine in Irian Jaya.
He said a recent audit of Freeport conducted by Montgomery Watson, which
largely praised the miner's environmental record, was incomplete because it
didn't cover the disposal of waste products and handling of toxic and
hazardous substances.
However, Mines and Energy Minister Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said several
times the Indonesian government would honor the contract.
Recently, Keraf has been vocally criticizing foreign companies accused of
polluting the environment in Indonesia as well as local companies such as
pulp and rayon producer PT Inti Indorayon Utama (P.IIU).
Indorayon's rayon plant in Porsea, North Sumatra was forced to close in 1999
after violent protests over alleged pollution.
The company has repeatedly called for an independent audit to decide whether
it should be allowed to reopen, but the government has dragged its feet after
initially agreeing to the proposal.
Keraf said Friday the government hasn't made any decision on Indorayon yet.
Indorayon is controlled by the Raja Garuda Mas group, which in turn is held
by the Tanoto family.
-------------------
Call for Probe of Freeport Indonesia by Independent Auditor
JAKARTA, March 3 Asia Pulse/Antara - An independent auditor should carry out
due diligence of Freeport Indonesia to put an end to controversies
surrounding the US copper and gold mining company, the Indonesian
Transparency Community (ITC).
ITC secretary Erry Riyana H. said due diligence would show the company's
financial contribution to Indonesia and the amount of natural wealth it has
taken away from the country.
Freeport Indonesia has been accused of colluding with government officials in
securing its contract of work. It has also been blamed for causing extensive
damage to the environment in its mining area in Irian Jaya.
Legislators have called for a review of Freeport's contract as it had failed
to comply with its contract requiring it to divest part of its shares to
local partners.
The government, however, has assured the company that it would honor the
contract. The assurance came after a meeting between former US Secretary of
State Henry Kissinger and President Abdurrachman Wahid.
Kissinger said after the meeting that Indonesia should honor the contract it
has signed.
Freeport Indonesia started operation in Irian Jaya in 1968 on contract of
work under which it was required to divest part of its shares to local
partners, but under its latest contract it has no obligation to work with a
local partner based on a new regulation allowing full ownerhip of company by
foreign investors.
-----------------
Kompas
Friday, 3 March 2000
Send the National Commission for Human Rights to Freeport
The government asks concessions from Freeport
Yogyakarta,
The Indonesian government decided to submit concessions from PT Freeport
Indonesia in relation with the Work Contract that is going on. The
concessions are chosen with considering profit and loss instead of reviewing
the contract. It is feared that that will exactly cause foreign investors to
transfer their investment. Thus said the Foreign Affairs minister Alwi Shihab
in Yogyakarta, Thursday (2/3).
If the Freeport Work Contract is canceled, it will create uncertainty of law.
This is harming for foreign investment, which we don't hope. we hope
concessions from Freeport. So correct what can be corrected and meets the
aspirations of the society," he said.
Regarding the draft of the concession that is being prepared, the Foreign
Affairs minister gave two possibilities, namely to leave it to Freeport to
plan it or through the former US Foreign Affairs minister Henry Kissinger who
is presently advisor for the president concerning matters with Freeport.
Meanwhile a university level instructor of the Economic Faculty of Gadjah
Mada University, Sri Adiningsih gave comment about the suspicion of
violations of human rights at the operation location of Freeport. That in
relation with information from former employees of Freeport that a group of
persons was put in a container and plunged into sea. That was already denied
by Freeport itself.
"The government must make a reevaluation, because the audit or investigation
either by the National Commission for Human Rights, the International Red
Cross, the diocese of Jayapura. the team of the US embassy and the Australian
Embassy was performed when the regime was not yet changed, so that there was
still a possibility to cover it up. Therefore is needed an independent
auditor or the National Commission for Human Rights should be sent again or
another independent investigator."
Clean business
At a separate place the chair person of the People's Advisory Assembly Amien
Rais stated that Indonesia didn't need to be anxious that foreign investors
would run away if clean business was implemented.
"If Indonesia is far from Corruption. Collusion or Nepotism they will
actually come here by throngs, said Amien. According to the general chairman
of the National Mandate Party the Indonesian nation has all this time
implemented its own logic that with not tinkering various working contracts
of foreign companies which clearly damaged the ecology and social order of
the local society, the foreign investors would come by throngs to Indonesia.
Whereas such a pattern is exactly causing more harm for the Indonesian nation
itself. Therefore, according to Amien, if the Indonesian business world
starts to change and doesn't implement KKN practices in business, foreign
investors will appreciate it and come to Indonesia to invest.
Regarding the intervention of the US in the PT Freeeport Indonesia (PT FI)
case, Amien Rais stated that Indonesia basically respects all Working
Contracts that were ever made, either on the oil and gas sector of the non
oil and gas sector.
But if during the Working Contract it proves that there are matters that
disturb the life of the people like damage of the environment as done by PT
FI. the Indonesian nation is entitled to correct it.
"Of course to correct in the direction of improvement, which doesn't mean to
cancel said Working Contract," said Amien.
The form of correction will be for instance how PT FI will account for the
damage of the ecology or how Indonesian citizens in the province of Papua
also get a proper portion of PT FI's profit.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign
111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath,
Surrey CR7 8HW, UK
Phone: 0181 771-2904 Fax: 0181 653-0322
email: tapol@gn.apc.org
Internet: www.gn.apc.org/tapol
Campaigning to expose human rights violations in
Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua and Aceh
26 years - and still going strong
Date: 3/3/00 3:50:08 PM Central Standard Time
From: tapol@gn.apc.org (TAPOL)
To: reg.westpapua@gn.apc.org
Received from Joyo Indonesian News
Jakarta must respect Irian Jaya or lose it-governor
By Chris McCall
JAKARTA, March 3 (Reuters) - Pressure for independence is bound to grow in
Indonesia's restive Irian Jaya province if its people are treated as second
class citizens and its resources only benefit outsiders, its governor said on
Friday.
Rear Admiral Freddy Numberi said Jakarta should learn to meddle less in the
province's affairs, and the provincial government had to be given more
control over its own finances.
But he said it was still possible to convince the ordinary Irianese they were
better off in a reformed Indonesia, by improving their standard of living.
``Better welfare -- that is the question,'' he said. ``In Irian Jaya it is
not only the business, it is the human touch. That is more important than
everything. But if you touch them in the wrong way everything is rejected.''
A clean break must be made after 30 years of repression from Jakarta,
including investigating human rights abuses.
Irian Jaya, the western half of New Guinea, is Indonesia's easternmost
province and is one of several areas where demands for independence are
strong.
Armed separatists from the Free Papua Movement are fighting for an
independent state called West Papua. East Timor's bloody independence last
year has only strengthened pro-independence feelings.
In the latest violence, two tribesman were killed on Thursday and eight
wounded after Indonesian police opened fire to disperse an angry mob which
attacked a police headquarters in the town of Nabire, the official Antara
news agency reported.
Numberi said Jakarta's treatment of Irian Jaya compared poorly with that of
Dutch colonialists. In the past, anyone who questioned the status quo was
liable to be arrested, he said.
But if standards of living could be improved, Irianese could yet be persuaded
that their lives would be better within a reformed Indonesia than outside it,
Numberi said.
The main business operating there, PT Freeport Indonesia's hugely profitable
copper and gold mine, had failed badly by treating the region's indigenous
people as inferiors, he said.
Numberi, who also serves in the cabinet as minister for administrative reform
and is Irianese, cited the example of his nephew, who was paid less by
Freeport than American employees, despite having a degree from a U.S.
university.
Irianese wanted to feel that in the future their own people would be sitting
on the boards of companies like Freeport, controlled by U.S.-based Freeport
McMoRan Copper & Gold Ltd.
Numberi cited the enormous natural riches of Irian Jaya, including deposits
of uranium, gold, oil and gas, massive forests and fishing grounds as
examples of the region's potential.
With greater autonomy, the provincial government could ensure development
projects were completed rather than always having to await approval from
Jakarta.
He cited the failure in 30 years to build a road between two of the main
towns, Jayapura and Wamena, blaming it on delays in funding from the central
government.
``The problem is because everything is coming from Jakarta. The initiative is
coming from Jakarta but when the initiative is in the region, it is very
easy.''
Irian Jaya was incorporated into Indonesia in 1963 in controversial
circumstances, after heavy diplomatic pressure on the former colonial power,
the Netherlands.
In 1969, a U.N.-run plebiscite was held among local leaders which resulted in
a vote to join Indonesia. Its legality and fairness have been widely
disputed.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign
111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath,
Surrey CR7 8HW, UK
Phone: 0181 771-2904 Fax: 0181 653-0322
email: tapol@gn.apc.org
Internet: www.gn.apc.org/tapol
Campaigning to expose human rights violations in
Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua and Aceh
26 years - and still going strong
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Date: 3/3/00 10:35:16 AM Central Standard Time
From: plovers@gn.apc.org (Tapol)
To: reg.westpapua@gn.apc.org, u.braun@xcc.de, slliem@xs4all.nl, taylorjb@vax.sbu.ac.uk
Subject: Indon Govt Report Blasts Freeport for Environmental Damage
Received from Joyo Indonesian News
also: Deforestation of national park sparks concern; and Australia to protect
RI reefs
Indonesian Observer
Feb 25, 2000
Report blasts Freeport for environmental damage
JAKARTA (IO) — Some 133,000 hectares of land in PT Freeport Indonesia's
mining concession in Irian Jaya have been seriously damaged and nearby rivers
have been polluted, says the Environmental Impact Assessment Agency (Bapedal).
"Of that figure, only 124 hectares have been rehabilitated by the company,"
head of the local Bapedal office, Ali Kastella, was quoted as saying by
Antara yesterday in the Irian Jaya capital of Jayapura. Bapedal recently
inspected Freeport's Tembagapura, Grasberg and Earsberg mines in Timika.
Kastella said the reclaimed area has been planted only with short lifespan
trees and plants, such as banana trees, pineapples and vegetables, which will
not bring long-term benefits to locals.
Such plants are also unlikely to firm the soil up and prevent landslides, he
added. Kastella said it would take Freeport a long time to reclaim the area.
"The company is too slow in taking measures that would prevent damage. It has
only reclaimed 124 hectares while the damaged area is very vast."
He expressed doubt in the company's promise to allocate US$100 million for
the reclamation and conservation of the environment.
Commenting on an audit on Freeport conducted by a firm from Montgomery,
Alabama, Kastella said it was rejected by the government because it failed to
reveal the extent of damage done to Irian Jaya's ecosystem. Nor did it
adequately explain what Freeport has done to overcome the problems, he added.
However, he said the US auditing company has recommended that Freeport check
the groundwater in Tembagapura, the center of the company's operations, as it
could have been polluted when Freeport drained Lake Wanagon.
Head of the auditing team, Alan Klause, on Tuesday said the groundwater being
used by residents of Mimika district could have been contaminated by water
from the lake.
Freeport promised to check the water quality, but Kastella said it may not
bother to do so until its contract of work expires. He also said the
company's policy of providing scholarships to 5,000 students as an act of
goodwill to further educate the natives is nothing but a ploy to win support.
"In 1996 and 1997 we received a donation of Rp41.1 billion [US$5.5 million]
for the studies of students, but in 1999 we got only Rp4.7 billion
[US$630,000] because they said [gold] sales decreased. But the purchasing
power of a billion rupiah in 1999 was much lower than in 1996, and the
company never put that it into consideration."
--------------
Indonesian Observer
25th February 2000
Deforestation of national park sparks concern
JAKARTA (IO) — Legislators yesterday expressed outrage over the systematic
clearance of over 13,800 hectares of rainforest in East Kalimantan's Kutai
National Park.
The rainforest was destroyed to make way for plantations, said Djafar Sidik,
head of a six-member team from the House of Representatives' commission on
agriculture that recently inspected the national park.
Kutai National Park covers a total of 198,604 hectares and is home to various
endangered species, including the orangutan, wild ox and Sambar deer.
Sidik said the team will soon present its findings to the government, Antara
reported.
East Kalimantan administration spokesman Arifin Saidi said the total area of
damage in the park is estimated at 100,000 hectares, and is continuing at a
rate of 10 hectares every day.
He said the provincial administration has proposed that 15,000 hectares of
the park be given to the Forestry Ministry to be converted into a
resettlement site for l3,000 people.
----------------
Indonesian Observer
Feb 25, 2000
Australia to protect RI reefs
JAKARTA (IO) — The Australian government has allocated a fund of A$8.2
million (Rp36.9 billion) for the rehabilitation and conservation of
Indonesia's coral reefs.
The importance of preserving the vast archipelago's reefs was recognized
yesterday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by
Australian Ambassador John McCarthy and Indonesian Institute of Sciences
(LIPI) Chairman Soefjan Stauri.
In a press release, the Australian Embassy said the fund will come from the
Australian government's aid agency, AusAID, for a three-year Coral Reef
Rehabilitation and Management Project (COREMAP).
The MoU also emphasizes the commitment of both governments to sustainable
coral reef management.
Indonesia's coral reefs are vital ecological and productive assets. The
protection and management of these reefs is central to fisheries, tourism,
natural heritage conservation and shoreline protection.
However, the reefs are under threat from pollution, mining and destructive
fishing practices.
Australia has extensive experience in coral reef management — much of it
gained through lessons learned in the management of the world's largest coral
reef, the Great Barrier Reef, which is located off the coast of Australia's
Queensland state.
The project in Indonesia will focus on training and "capacity building". A
specific project in Kupang Bay, eastern Indonesia, will work with communities
to strengthen local planning and management of coral reef resources, as well
as surveillance and enforcement of regulations.
The pilot project aims to improve the livelihoods of locals through
sustainable management of the reef and coastal zone and the development of
alternative income generating activities.
The Australian-funded project is part of a broader coral reef management
program co-financed by the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), the
Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Indonesian
government.
The COREMAP program aims to improve the management of coral reef systems
through developing community-based management, research and monitoring,
public awareness and law enforcement.
In a recent television interview here, Maritime Exploration Minister Sarwono
Kusumaatmadja said that of the country's 60,000 square kilometers of coral
reefs, only about 6% is in good condition.
**************************************************
Paul Barber
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign,
25 Plovers Way, Alton Hampshire GU34 2JJ
Tel/Fax: 1420 80153
Email: plovers@gn.apc.org
Internet: www.gn.apc.org/tapol
Defending victims of oppression in Indonesia,
East Timor, West Papua and Aceh, 1973-1999
Date: 3/3/00 9:58:26 AM Central Standard Time
From: admin@irja.org
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National News
Security Situation To Return To Normal Soon, Says President
Thursday, March 02, 2000/9:09:09 PM
Jakarta, March 2 (ANTARA)
President Abdurrahman Wahid has expressed confidence that the
conflicts in such provinces as Maluku, Aceh, Irian Jaya and West
Kalimantan will be over and the security situation in the country
return to normal soon.
"I want to see the situation return to normal in the near future,"
the President told tens of Dutch businessmen who met him here
Thursday.
He expressed optimism that all the conflicts will be solved in the
near future.
"Admittedly, acts of violence still occur there. But I can assure
you the problems are now in their final stages of settlement," he
said.
He said the security situation in the country's easternmost province
of Irian Jaya had become tense apparently because local figure Tom
Bienal no longer held a seat in the provincial legislative assembly
(DPRD). Tom Bienal was three times elected member of the legislative
assembly.
"I have said, if necessary, Tom Bienal will be appointed MPR
(People`s Consultative Assembly) member," the President said.
He said the security authorities had once banned Tom Bienal from
serving as member of the board of commissioners of copper and gold
mining company PT Freeport Indonesia.
But he added to prevent the question from dragging on, Tom Bienal
should be appointed member of the company's board of commissioners.
In the meantime, the Dutch businessmen expressed the hope that the
Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) would be transparent and
have exact schedules on the sale of assets from companies whose
managements had been put under the agency's control.
Also present at the meeting were Coordinating Minister for Economy,
Finance and Industry Kwik Kian Gie, Chairman of the Indonesian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Aburizal Bakrie, Chairman of the
National Business Development (DPUN) Sofyan Wanandi.
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Indonesian Observer
March 2, 2000
Rais rejects Kissinger=92s statement
JAKARTA (IO) =97 Speaker of the People=92s Consultative Assembly (MPR)
Amien Rais has rejected a statement by former US Secretary of State
Henry Kissinger that foreign investors would not come to Indonesia
if the country reviews business deals with giant copper and mining
company PT Freeport Indonesia.
Rais said he believes foreign investors will be enthusiastic about
Indonesia if the government seriously tries to uphold the supremacy
of law.
=93In contrast to the opinion of Kissinger, I think foreign investors
will come if we seriously uphold clean business and clean work
contracts,=94 Rais told reporters after inaugurating new members of
MPR at Parliament in Jakarta yesterday.
Leading environmental group, the Indonesian Forum for the
Environment (Walhi), said Kissinger=92s statement was a form of
=93intimidation=94 against the Indonesian government considering that
Freeport Indonesia was accused of pollution in Irian Jaya, where the
company is based.
=93We, Walhi, strongly protest against Kissinger=92s statement because
it sounds like intimidation. We think his statement is unethical and
bullying and ignores the democratization process now underway in the
country,=94 said a statement signed by Walhi leader Emmy Hafild.
Kissinger is a member of the board of directors of Freeport=92s parent
company, Freeport McMoran Copper and Gold Inc.
The former US Secretary of State said Indonesia should respect
working contracts it signed with Freeport, otherwise no foreign
investor would come to Indonesia.
Rais said when Kissinger was suggesting that Indonesia should not
review business deals with the giant copper and mining company PT
Freeport Indonesia, he was speaking in his capacity as commissioner
of the company.
=93But, I think there is a higher institution than a work contract,
namely the court,=94 he said.
Referring to similar cases in the electricity sector, Rais said any
allegation over possible corrupt practices should be brought to
court.
=93If it is proven that the company conducted corrupt practices, the
US Anti-Corruption Law demands penalties for those proven guilty,=94
he said.
Touching on PT Freeport Indonesia, Rais said we must evaluate
whether or not there is an element of corruption, collusion, and
nepotism (KKN) in Freeport. The MPR Speaker said we must review
whether there is environmental damage, over exploitation, or a high
social cost caused by PT Freeport.
=93If the anwer is yes, there are many disadvantages with Freeport,
then it must be brought to court. It will be fairer,=94 he said.
Rais suggested that Walhi should seriously find out indications of
corrupt practices carried out by PT Freeport Indonesia.
=93Then, the data should be reported to the US government. And the US
government will cooperate with Indonesia to assess the complaints of
people,=94 he said.
He also said he disagrees with President Abdurrahman =91Gus Dur=92 Wahid
=92s move appointing former US State Secretary Henry Kissinger as his
advisor, saying that Indonesia needs no advisors from foreign
countries.
=93We will reject them because we are an independent state. We need no
Henry Kissinger, Goh Chok Tong, Ghadaffi, or Khatami from Iran. I
think Gus Dur was only pretending,=94 Rais said. .
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Thursday, March 2 11:04 AM SGT
Indonesia May Take Freeport to Court If Found Corrupt
JAKARTA, March 2 Asia Pulse
US gold and copper mining company PT Freeport Indonesia may be
brought to court if it proves to have committed corruptive and
collusive practices in winning its work contract, People's
Consultative Assembly (MPR) chairman Amien Rais said Wednesday.
"According to the US Anti-Corruption Act, a company may be fined or
punished if it is proven involved in corruption and collusion in its
business or investment activities in foreign countries," he said.
Rais' statement came two days after former US foreign minister Henry
Kissinger made a statement calling on Indonesia to respect
Freeport's work contract.
The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) on Wednesday issued
a strong protest against Kissinger's threat and accused him of
having used power to pressure Indonesia.
Regarding Kissinger's statement, Rais said Kissinger fully
represented Freeport not the US government because "he holds no
government posts at all."
Rais supported Walhi's stand urging it to further investigate
indications of corruption and collusion in Freeport's working
contract.
If the company proved to have committed such practices, this had to
be reported to the US government so that a court could be jointly
set up by the US and Indonesian governments to deal with the case,
he said.
He said in the present era of democratization, the government's
position did not always have to prevail and conversely, the people's
views were not always wrong.
"If the government is right, the people should listen to it. On the
other hand, if the people are right, the government should do what
the people want," he said.
-- (ANTARA)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kompas
Friday, 3 March 2000
Send the National Commission for Human Rights to Freeport
-- The government asks concessions from Freeport
Yogyakarta, Kompas Online
The Indonesian government decided to submit concessions from PT
Freeport Indonesia in relation with the Work Contract that is going
on. The concessions are chosen with considering profit and loss
instead of reviewing the contract. It is feared that that will
exactly cause foreign investors to transfer their investment. Thus
said the Foreign Affairs minister Alwi Shihab in Yogyakarta,
Thursday (2/3).
If the Freeport Work Contract is canceled, it will create
uncertainty of law. This is harming for foreign investment, which we
don't hope. we hope concessions from Freeport. So correct what can
be corrected and meets the aspirations of the society," he said.
Regarding the draft of the concession that is being prepared, the
Foreign Affairs minister gave two possibilities, namely to leave it
to Freeport to plan it or through the former US Foreign Affairs
minister Henry Kissinger who is presently advisor for the president
concerning matters with Freeport.
Meanwhile a university level instructor of the Economic Faculty of
Gadjah Mada University, Sri Adiningsih gave comment about the
suspicion of violations of human rights at the operation location of
Freeport. That in relation with information from former employees of
Freeport that a group of persons was put in a container and plunged
into sea. That was already denied by Freeport itself.
"The government must make a reevaluation, because the audit or
investigation either by the National Commission for Human Rights,
the International Red Cross, the diocese of Jayapura. the team of
the US embassy and the Australian Embassy was performed when the
regime was not yet changed, so that there was still a possibility to
cover it up. Therefore is needed an independent auditor or the
National Commission for Human Rights should be sent again or another
independent investigator."
Clean business
At a separate place the chair person of the People's Advisory
Assembly Amien Rais stated that Indonesia didn't need to be anxious
that foreign investors would run away if clean business was
implemented.
"If Indonesia is far from Corruption. Collusion or Nepotism they
will actually come here by throngs, said Amien. According to the
general chairman of the National Mandate Party the Indonesian nation
has all this time implemented its own logic that with not tinkering
various working contracts of foreign companies which clearly damaged
the ecology and social order of the local society, the foreign
investors would come by throngs to Indonesia.
Whereas such a pattern is exactly causing more harm for the
Indonesian nation itself. Therefore, according to Amien, if the
Indonesian business world starts to change and doesn't implement KKN
practices in business, foreign investors will appreciate it and come
to Indonesia to invest.
Regarding the intervention of the US in the PT Freeeport Indonesia
(PT FI) case, Amien Rais stated that Indonesia basically respects
all Working Contracts that were ever made, either on the oil and gas
sector of the non oil and gas sector.
But if during the Working Contract it proves that there are matters
that disturb the life of the people like damage of the environment
as done by PT FI. the Indonesian nation is entitled to correct it.
"Of course to correct in the direction of improvement, which doesn't
mean to cancel said Working Contract," said Amien.
The form of correction will be for instance how PT FI will account
for the damage of the ecology or how Indonesian citizens in the
province of Papua also get a proper portion of PT FI's profit.
Amien Rais evaluated the need to give a special incentive for the
Papua people who are living in a big contrast compared with the
workers from PT FI with their profit from gold, silver and
copper.(*)
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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received from IRIAN-L
Papuan Legislators Meet House of Assembly
Translated by Amunggut Tabi, PNG
Source: Henky Jokhu, Jakarta
Tuesday, December 21, 1999
Literal Translation by A. Tabi
(Vanimo Jungle, Tuesday 21, 1999)
I. I am reporting now regarding the delegation of the House People's
Representative of Irian Jaya (colonial name for West Papua) called the DPRD
Tk. I chaired by its Chairman, Nathaniel Kaiway, SH and the "Team-100 PB"
(West Papuan Political Team Promoting Dialogue with the Indonesian
Government), led by Rev. H. Awom, S.Th, met the Head of Indonesia's House of
People's Representative (MPR RI), Prof. Dr Amin Rais, MA with his vice
Chairman Let. Gen. TNI Harry Sabarno, while West Papua delegation was
complete with 20 people, Team-10 (a Broaden Forum of the Team-100), consist
of Rev. Awom, Thom Beanal (One of the tribal leaders and chairman of
Team-100), Willy Mandowen, MA (Executive secretary of the FORERI, that
facilitated Team-100 to meet Habibie, on 26th April 1999), Ms B.
Koibur-Rumbino, Rev Mnusifer, M. Werimon, J. Awi, Saul Bomay (OPM/TPN
Leader), T. M. Al-Habid, A. Olua.
Points of Dialogue:
1. The aspiration for independent West Papua is 90%. West Papua people had
enjoyed their independence but Indonesia invaded West Papua. We are
demanding Indonesia to respond to our demand for the right of the people.
The MPR is the highest body that represent the people in Indonesia, and
therefore, we are asking a wise and comprehensive consideration and solution
to the problems in Irian Jaya.
2. The bad memories of Indonesia colonisation during 36 years towards
minority tribes in Papua land have caused sufferings, suffering in building
up the unity, united to demand for freedom. From these long sufferings, we
Papuans are now solidly united and asking for our basic rights. We cannot
manipulate or ignore it anymore.
3. The government need to quickly investigate and put on trials those who
violated human rights in Irja since May 1, 1963 until December 2nd, 1999,
which has cased hundreds of thousands of Papuan's lives. These prices can
not be paid back by just offering autonomy etc. Papuans do not have any
trust to the Indonesia government anymore. The only way is by giving back
our independent, through logical and comprehensive mechanisms, through
peaceful negotiations and dialogues based on justice, peace, honesty, truth,
transparency, equality and harmony.
4. To establish a Dialogue Team to correct the history of Papua people by
involving various parties, starting from local, national and international
levels so that we can put the core of the problems regarding Wet Papua on a
rational proportion, aspirative, constructive in order to help the people of
West Papua as a nation and as a people that has the basic rights to live as
human beings.
5. Two concepts being developed at the moment: First, developing the people
of Irian Jaya to reach the prosperity in socio-culture, economy, law. And
Second, to develop a dialogue which is constructive, starting from local
level, and then to national and international levels that consist of
Historical, Political , Socio-cultural and Human Rights aspects.
The material of the demand of the people in West Papua was submitted of the
Chairman of the DPRD TK. I Irian Jaya to the head of the House of
Representative (MPR RI) in Jakarta, Prof. Dr. Amin Rais, MA
The Comments of Mr Rais are as follows:
1. The problem regarding Irian Jaya or West Papua is serious and
fundamental, it needs dialogue and consensus for the sake of justice,
humanity and prosperity;
2. The cases of Irian Jaya are ours, they are sensitive, multidimensional,
should be handled with justice and dialogue;
3. Reformation has opened our mind and heart to see all things correctly;
4. The key words in the dialogue today, "The Dialogues started by previous
President BJ Habibie, should be followed up at the national and
international level. The process of dialogue is very important."
The Comments from the Vice Chairmen of the MPR RI, Harri Sabarno:
1. Irian Jaya will be given a special autonomy based on the MPR Decree 1999,
therefore, dialogue will be done, while the substance of special autonomy
should be carried out. However, the constitutions for this sort of
implementation have not yet been completed.
2. The facts regarding the Act of Free Choice (In Indonesian it is called
Penentuan Pendapat Rakyat -PEPERA) that we have with the information about
it are slightly different from the information and explanation from the
delegation and Team-10's that were given just now to us.
Notes:
A. This meeting with the MPR (Indonesia's House of Commons) is particularly
important and useful. The substance of problems related to West Papua were
exposed by the competent leaders of West Papua such as the Head of the DPR
RI Irian Jaya, N. Kaiway, J. Ibo, Abd Hakin, Mrs Wanggober, L. Imbiri, as
well as the Team-10: Tom Beanal, Willy Mandowen, Rev. H. Awom, Mrs Koibur.
It was a shame, only the VOA and Netherlands Radio covered this event, no
single TV crew was around.
B. Provocateurs from Jakarta slipped in with 3 people, pretending to be
representative from Irian Jaya, with the intention to disturb the meetings.
They are Frans Ansanai, Daniel Wanda and Boy Tato. The same pattern were
implemented by them with that had happened on February 26, 1999 at the
Presidential Palace.
Thank you very much,
Signed,
Henky, Jakarta
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/3/00 9:58:08 AM Central Standard Time
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>From mutu@earthlink.net Thu Mar 2 15:26:42 2000
Reply-To: "Margie Ulsh"
From: "Margie Ulsh"
To: "Mutu"
Subject: Irian News - 3/2/00
Date: Thu, 2 Mar 2000 17:18:52 -0500
X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.3110.3
Thursday, March 2 5:12 PM SGT
Warning shots fired as police attempt to clear streets in Irian Jaya
JAKARTA, March 2 (AFP)
Warning shots were fired on Thursday as mobs attempted to prevent
police from clearing barricades from the streets in a town in
Indonesia's easternmost province of Irian Jaya, police said.
"They were only warning shots, as many people were preventing
members from the Brimob (police mass-control brigade) from clearing
the streets of obstacles and makeshift barricades around Oyehee
(area) at about noon," a policeman on duty at the Nabire district
police office said.
The policeman, who identified himself as Sergeant Wayan, said no one
was injured in the incident and that the mobs had again erected
obstacles on the streets after the incident.
But the Institute for the Study and Advocacy of Human Rights
(Elsham) in Jayapura, the main city of Irian Jaya some 560
kilometres (360 miles) west of Nabire, said that one man was injured
in the shooting.
Wellem Manimbara, 32, was shot in the hands and was currently under
treatment at the state hospital in Nabire, an Elsham report reaching
here said.
However the report did not say how serious the injury was and the
hospital could not be immediately reached for confirmation.
The incident followed a shooting in Nabire on February 28 which left
two demonstrators killed, shot dead by security personnel, Wayan
said.
Elsham said three people were shot dead in that incident.
On Wednesday, a mob of some 2,000 people, many armed with knives,
machetes and bows and arrows, attacked the district police
headquarters in Nabire, leaving one of the attackers injured.
Some 50 people had attacked a Brimob barracks in Nabire, on Monday
and troops opened fire to stop the mobs from entering the compound.
Irian Jaya has seen rising calls for independence since the fall of
former president Suharto in May 1998. Separatists are demanding an
independent West Papua state in Irian Jaya.
A Free Papua state was declared by Irian Jaya leaders while the
territory was still a Dutch colony on December 1, 1961.
Indonesia claimed Dutch New Guinea as its 26th province and renamed
it Irian Jaya in 1963 -- a move recognised by the United Nations in
1969.
But the people of the province, which shares a land border with
independent Papua New Guinea, consider themselves closer to the
Melanesian people of the South Pacific than the Malays dominating in
Indonesia.
A peoples' congress held over the weekend in Jayapura rejected the
1969 act of free choice, saying that only 1,000 people were
consulted.
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/2/00 1:11:57 PM Central Standard Time
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From: Ottis Simopiaref
ALIANSI MAHASISWA PAPUA MEETS ICRC
by Sem Karoba
Dear all,
Today, February 28, 2000, the Alliance of Students of
West Papua (AMP) met the Team of International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) investigating the
Geselema masacre, May 9, 1996.
It is inevitable that the ICRC is needed in West Papua
when human rights violations, murder, rape, bombings
and such happen in the near future. But at the same
time, it is clear that the people in West Papua do not
trust the ICRC as a credible organisation anymore due
to the massacre above mentioned.
The AMP representative to Europe had special meeting
with the Team in charge with the Internal Inquiry Team
in Geneva today.
Here are the results:
1. The IRCR asked for the AMP to play its role in
building the confidence of the people of West Papua on
the role of the ICRC for West Papua people,
2. The result of the internal inquiry will be released
at least at the end of March 2000,
3. The IRCR welcomed the initiative of the AMP to
check what is happening with the inquiry,
4. There will be several meetings held between tribal
leaders, victims of the murder, the OPM and Indonesian
government in order to redeem the ICRC reputation in
West Papua and to build the trust of the people there,
The full coverage of the meeting is video-taped on a
VHS format.
Thanks and keep up fighting.
******************************
OTTIS SIMOPIAREF
Van Uvenweg 134-I
6707 BH Wageningen
The Netherlands
Ph.: +31.6.25575496
Email: osimopiaref@netscape.net
FREE West Papua from the Indonesian Colonialism
******************************
____________________________________________________________________
Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://webm=
ail.netscape.com.
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/2/00 1:12:18 PM Central Standard Time
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Summary
It has been 4 years now (1996 - 2000) the people of Mapnduma in the Central
Highlands of West Papua suffering from the the hostage crisis and military
operation conducted by the Indonesian Military. They have experienced
various gross human rights violations (extra-judicial killings, rapes,
torture and their belongings destroyed) including their freedoms
imprisoned. Eyewitnesses reported that the International Committee of the
Red Cross (ICRC) had been implicated in the human rights violations, as
well as the British SAS, the mercenaries from South Africa and the Dutch.
Based on the facts that the people are experiencing they have come out with
the statement below. The statement dated 26 February 2000 calls for
accountibility of those parties that implicated (ICRC, Indonesian
Government, the Dutch, British and South Africa).
-----------------------------------------------------
Click here for Free Video!!
http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/3/00 6:23:56 AM Central Standard Time
From: tapol@gn.apc.org (TAPOL)
To: reg.westpapua@gn.apc.org
NABIRE COOLING DOWN BUT A KEY EYEWITNESS DIED
Report ELS-HAM at 10:00 am
3 March 2000
After days of clashes between the security aparaturs (Brimob and military)
and the Papuans in Nabire West Papua since February 28 this morning (10:00)
3 March ELS-HAM's sources in nabire reported that the situation is now
calming down. "Today people walking around in the streets. Government
employees go to their offices, but not the school children yet. Merpati
flight to Nabire from Biak arrived this morning as scheduled, except cessna
flights to the interior of West Papua now stoped due to this tensed
situation, " says Mathius O, ELS-HAM's source in Nabire.
Despite this recovering situation of Nabire ELS-HAM's source in Nabire also
reported this morning that Mr. Willem Manimnwarba (27) a key eyewitness to
the shooting of Mr. Menase Erari (28) on 28 february insident who was shot
by the police yesterday (2 March) at Oyehe - Taman Gizi, Nabire where the
west papuan and indonesian flags flying died in the Nabire Hospital. As
ELS-HAM reported yesterday (2 March) Mr. Willem Manimnwarba was wounded by
the shootings that fired by Brimob and Yonif 753 troops who were on a
civilian ambullance and 6 army trucks.
When confirmed with docter Osok at Nabire Hospital this morning he said
that Mr. Willem Manimnwarba died because of bleeding from his wounds in the
left hand and right foot. "He died at 4:00 am at the hospital. He died
because of the bleeding from his wounds. We gave him anti-biotik and have
recommended him to be sent to Jayapura hospital today (3 March)," said
docter Osok.
Docter Osok also confirmed to ELS-HAM that a car from Farmachy Store Nabire
Hospital has been used by the securities (Brimob and military) to arrest
and torture people including shooting to the people that gathered near the
flag pole. "Because of this (the car being used by the security) our
employees under threats by the people," complained docter Osok. But he said
that the hospital never allowed the security to use their car.
With the death of Willem Manimnwarba ELS-HAM's sources in Nabire said that
if there isn't any urgent steps taken to coll down this situation there
would be hard to prevent violence to occur anytime.
For further information contact:
John Rumbiak, Supervisor
Lembaga Studi dan Advokasi Hak Asasi Manusia (ELS-HAM)
Institute for Human Rights Study and Advocacy (Ihrstad)
Jl. Kampus STTJ - Padang Bulan, Jayapura - West Papua
Tel/Fax: 62-967-581600; email: els-ham_irja@jayapura.wasantara.net.id
-----------------------------------------------------
Click here for Free Video!!
http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign
111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath,
Surrey CR7 8HW, UK
Phone: 0181 771-2904 Fax: 0181 653-0322
email: tapol@gn.apc.org
Internet: www.gn.apc.org/tapol
Campaigning to expose human rights violations in
Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua and Aceh
26 years - and still going strong
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Date: 3/2/00 10:39:15 AM Central Standard Time
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You are in: World: Asia-Pacific
Wednesday, 1 March, 2000, 13:27 GMT
Indonesian greens criticise
Kissinger on Freeport
A prominent Indonesian environmental group has
criticised the former American secretary of state,
Henry Kissinger, who's announced his new job as
adviser to the Indonesian President.
Dr Kissinger has urged the President, Abdurrahman
Wahid, to uphold existing contracts with the Freeport
mine in the province of Irian Jaya, saying it will
reassure international investors about doing business
with Indonesia.
Dr Kissinger is a member of Freeport's board of
directors.
The Environmental Forum for Indonesia says it's
apprehensive about Dr Kissinger arguing Freeport's
case, and warned him not to bully the government.
Freeport's gold and copper mining operations have
attracted international criticism for their impact on Irian
Jaya's people and its natural environment. Last week
the government announced it would review an
environmental impact report on the mine.
From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/1/00 4:41:19 AM Central Standard Time
From: tapol@gn.apc.org (TAPOL)
To: indonesia-act@igc.apc.org, reg.westpapua@gn.apc.org
Received from Joyo Indonesian News
Indonesian Observer
March 1, 2000
Walhi protests Kissinger's Freeport statement
JAKARTA (IO) — A leading environmental group yesterday slammed former US
secretary of state Henry Kissinger for urging Indonesia not to review
business deals with giant copper and mining company PT Freeport Indonesia.
The Indonesian Forum for the Environment (Walhi) said the statement was a
form of "intimidation" against the Indonesian government considering that
Freeport Indonesia was accused of pollution in Irian Jaya, where the company
is based.
"We, Walhi, strongly protest against Kissinger's statement because it sounds
like intimidation. We think his statement is unethical, bullying and ignores
the democratization process now underway in the country," said a statement
signed by Walhi leader Emmy Hafild.
Kissinger is a member of the board of directors Freeport's parent company,
Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold Inc.
Hafild said it was improper for a former minister of a country that upholds
democracy and human rights to act like that. "It is unfair of Henry Kissinger
to ask Gus Dur to respect a work contract that was signed by [former
president] Soeharto," she said.
She accused Kissinger of making use of his power as a former foreign minister
to pressure the Indonesian president.
Kissinger on Monday with President Abdurrahman Wahid, better known as Gus
Dur, who then appointed him as his political advisor.
The former US secretary of state said Indonesia should respect working
contracts it signed with Freeport, otherwise no foreign investor would come
to Indonesia.
In response, Gus Dur said the government would not make any change to the
mining contracts, but told Freeport to provide special care for people in
Irian Jaya.
Walhi's statement said environment groups around the world have been fighting
for years to overcome environmental problems caused by Freeport's activities.
The Amungme tribe in Irian Jaya where Freeport operates, struggled for years
to assert their rights and make their voice heard. Their voice and rights had
long been ignored by Soeharto, she said.
Now when the Amungme people's struggle was beginning to draw the attention of
parliament, Henry Kissinger had come to cite unethical reasons to protect the
company which was making profits at the expense of the environmental
interests of the locals, she said.
Walhi urged the government and the House of Representatives (DPR) to go ahead
with their plans to evaluate and assess Freeport's performance and work
contracts.
The government and the House should not be influenced by Kissinger's
pressure, said the group.
Walhi said PT Freeport's working contracts were made by Soeharto when the
situation was undemocratic with House members merely acting as rubber stamps
and people living in fear. The contract was also made in a business
atmosphere that did not respect the people's aspirations and the democratic
mechanism to make decisions, said Hafild.
She said the Indonesian government, the people and the House were at present
just embarking on building a system based on democratic principles, and
Kissinger has to respect that. If he really represents the US, which always
puts democracy above financial considerations, he should adjust the company's
contract, she added.
Hafild said Freeport's work contract "is not legitimate in the eyes of the
Indonesian people because it was made by Soeharto during a transitional
period from the Old Order to the New Order and under a wrong system and
mechanism".
The contract was also made without the involvement of local people and when
Papua was still not a part of Indonesia, she said.
---
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign
111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath,
Surrey CR7 8HW, UK
Phone: 0181 771-2904 Fax: 0181 653-0322
email: tapol@gn.apc.org
Internet: www.gn.apc.org/tapol
Campaigning to expose human rights violations in
Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua and Aceh
26 years - and still going strong
Date: 3/1/00 11:54:36 PM Central Standard Time
From: admin@irja.org
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Admin note: Edited to protect privacy
Yesterday (Tuesday),I came to Jayapura,
indigenous people who ... have refused to lower the ... flag ... since
they put it up on December 1 ... Monday night we heard that some
people had been shot.
We have known for months that we should be prepared in case we ever
had to leave Nabire due to the local situation.
The roads in town were blocked and guarded. Trees had been felled
across them. In many places there were armed guards, and anyone who
dared to venture out was stopped ... I took the back road
A
After we were all together a
in the past the boat has taken us to different islands
After a while the speedboat arrived with the driver and 2 men to
assist. We were waiting on the beach. We loaded our things and the 2
men carried the youngest children, and we waded out and climbed in the
boat. Just after I sat down, a big wave hit, and the boat tipped way
over to one side. It seemed like we were all going to be dumped in
the ocean! Then another big wave hit from the other side, and the
same thing happened but in the opposite direction! This happened
several more times until we were all in, and the motor was started so
we could get underway.
After we got to the
made to take all of us ... to Sentani. A
and a half after arriving
We arrived in Sentani about 3:15 p.m. I was glad to see my friends.
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/1/00 2:29:28 PM Central Standard Time
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The Jakarta Post. National news March 02 2000
(ADMIN NOTE: The police claim they did not shoot the original victim.
However, with two more deaths from gunshot wounds and 9 others in hospital
also from gunshot wounds one cannot help but question the validity of the
Police's claim)
Nabire clash claims two more lives
NABIRE, Irian Jaya (JP): Two people who were shot in
Monday's clash in Nabire died on Wednesday, bringing
the death toll to three.
Sources at Sri Wini General Hospital identified the
latest
casualties as Maximus Bunay, 27, and Dapius Sani, 16.
The first victim killed in Monday's melee was Manase
Erary, 28.
At least nine others, all aged between 17 and 35, were
still
being treated at the hospital for gunshot wounds received
during the three days of unrest.
Meanwhile, a fresh clash erupted in Nabire when locals
attacked a police station on Wednesday in protest of the
death of Manase.
Nabire Police chief Lt. Col. Faisal AN said about 50
people
attacked the barracks of the Police Mobile Brigade
(Brimob).
"They were armed with spears, arrows and other
traditional
weapons," he said.
The clash in Nabire broke out on Monday following a
weapons sweep by the brigade on suspected supporters of
the proindependence movement here.
Manase, a student at the local Public Administration
Institute, was allegedly hit by a bullet when trying to
calm
the tense situation.
Locals said Manase was shot by police. Police have denied
the accusation. Irian Jaya Police chief Brig. Gen. S.Y.
Wenas also denied allegations that police fired at
Manase.
He claimed on Wednesday that Manase was killed by the
paramilitary Papua Task Force (Satgas Papua).
"It was a CIS bullet (a hunting bullet) from a handmade
rifle
which killed Manase. The bullet removed from the victim's
head wound can be used as evidence," Wenas said.
Meanwhile in Jayapura, a group of Papuan leaders staged a
protest demanding the National Commission on Human
Rights (Komnas Ham) investigate all rights abuses in the
easternmost province.
The protesters marched to the Irian Jaya Police
Headquarters in Jayapura to read a statement signed by 52
tribal leaders, youth leaders and women leaders from 13
regencies.
Evi Kobogau, who read the statement, said the commission
should come to Irian Jaya to investigate the rights
abuses,
including past cases, such as in Mapnduma in 1996, Biak
in
July 1998, Sorong in July 1999, Manokwari in September
1999, Timika in December 1999, Merauke in February 2000
and the latest incident in Nabire.
"All the abuses were caused by violence and shootings by
Indonesian Military members in response to the demand
for West Papua independence," Evi said. (eba/edt/sur)
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/1/00 10:26:21 AM Central Standard Time
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From: Journ12
To: Pacific Media Watch
Organization: Journalism, University of the South Pacific
Title -- 2587 REGION: PJR publishes special issue on Timor, West Papua
Date -- 1 March 2000
Byline -- None
Origin -- Pacific Media Watch
Source -- Journalism, University of the South Pacific, 1/3/00
Copyright -- Journalism USP
Status -- Unabridged
-------------------
PJR PUBLISHES SPECIAL ISSUE ON TIMOR, WEST PAPUA
SUVA: A Walkley Ward-winning expose on alleged mercenary involvement in
the 1996 hostage massacre in West Papua, an inside story on the media
reportage after the vote for independence in East Timor, and the
reconstruction of the press in Dili are featured in the latest edition
of Pacific Journalism Review.
An untold story of betrayal and deceit was finally exposed last year by
ABC Four Corner's Mark Davis.
The review has published the script of the award-winning investigative
report.
"By stripping away the truth over the hostages kidnapped by the OPM in
1996 and exposing what really happened in the final scenes of the rescue
tragedy with alleged Red Cross and other foreign involvement, Davis has
helped refocus world attention on the injustices in the western Pacific
colony," noted PJR in its editorial.
"He deservedly won a Walkley Award for this chilling and enterprising
report."
PJR quotes Davis as saying:
"These people are truly on their own. In their eyes, it's not just
Indonesians who want to see them dead.
"It's Americans who want their gold, the British or the Dutch who send
soldiers after them, the United Nations who gave away their land, and
now they think the Red Cross has betrayed them as well."
In East Timor, the choice was stark and traumatic for Australian
journalist Liam Phelan, known in the Pacific for his training courses in
the Fiji Islands. While journalists were busy with their rushed exodus
in the wake of the self-determination vote, an orgy of organised state
destruction was being carried in front of their noses.
Phelan stayed behind with the Timorese and his report in PJR outlines
those critical days.
Also featured in this edition of Pacific Journalism Review are Fiji
Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry's stand-off with the news media; Tongan
Times editor Kalafi Moala's profile on the reality of free speech in
Tonga; Savea Sano Malifa's update on the Samoa Observer saga; Queensland
University's Centre for Democracy deputy director Ian Ward's spelling
out of the dangers facing the press in a Fiji media freedom day address;
Pacific Islands Report editor Al Hulsen's browsing of the Pacific; and
Philip Cass' examination of kastom law and the Pacific media.
The edition includes an author index for all six volumes of the journal.
PJR subscriptions are available on its website:
http://www.asiapac.org.fj/PJR/
or single editions (F$10) can be ordered from the University of the
South Pacific Bookshop. Fax: (679) 303265. Email: Kullack_A@usp.ac.fj
+++niuswire
PACIFIC MEDIA WATCH is an independent, non-profit, non-government
organisation comprising journalists, lawyers, editors and other media
workers, dedicated to examining issues of ethics, accountability,
censorship, media freedom and media ownership in the Pacific region.
Launched in October 1996, it has links with the Journalism Program at
the University of the South Pacific, Bushfire Media, the Australian
Centre for Independent
Journalism, and Pactok Communications, in Sydney and Port Moresby.
(c)1996-2000 Copyright - All rights reserved.
Items are provided solely for review purposes as a non-profit
educational service. Copyright remains the property of the original
producers as indicated. Recipients should seek permission from the
copyright owner for any publishing. Copyright owners not wishing their
materials to be posted by PMW please contact us. The views expressed in
material listed by PMW are not necessarily the views of PMW or its
members.
Recipients should rely on their own inquiries before making decisions
based on material listed in PMW. Please copy appeals to PMW and
acknowledge source.
For further information, inquiries about joining the Pacific Media Watch
listserve, articles for publication, and giving feedback contact Pacific
Media Watch at:
E-mail:
niusedita@pactok.net.au
or:
bfmedia@mpx.com.au
Fax: (+679) 30 5779 or (+612) 9660 1804
Mail: PO Box 9, Annandale, NSW 2038, Australia
or, c/o Journalism, PO Box 1168, Suva, Fiji
Website: http://www.pactok.net/docs/pmw/
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/1/00 10:26:49 AM Central Standard Time
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GUS DUR: DON'T SELL PAPUA'S FUTURE TO HENRY KISSINGER
Henry Kissinger takes advantage of his status as ex US Secretary of State
to
push the President of the Republic of Indonesia to respect the Contract o=
f
Work (COW) of PT. Freeport Indonesia Company. Henry Kissinger even threat=
ens
Indonesia by saying that if the government does not respect COW, there wi=
ll
be no investors come to this country. We, Indonesian Forum for Environmen=
t
(WALHI), condemn Mr. Kissinger's statement which is said in purpose to
intimidate; furthermore we regard this statement as unethical, bullish, a=
nd
ignoring democratization process taking place now in Indonesia. This cond=
uct
is not supposed to be done by an ex Secretary of State of a country that
glorifies democracy and human rights.
It is really not fair if Henry Kissinger asks Gus Dur to give respect to =
the
COW signed by Suharto. Gus Dur is the first president of the Republic of
Indonesia that is elected in the most democratic way and situation -free =
of
fear-ever. It is for the first time, since 1955, in this Republic to have=
legislatures which are elected in democratic atmosphere. Henry Kissinger =
-by
what he has done-tries to underestimate all that is being struggled by th=
e
people of Indonesia.
For years, environmental movements all over the globe has struggled for t=
he
serious action to environmental problems caused by Freeport's activities.=
For years, the Amungme people have struggled for their rights to be
respected and heard. For years, these voices were ignored by Suharto. Now=
when the time comes for all the struggles get the attention of Indonesian=
people's representatives, Henry Kissinger unethically uses the unreasonab=
le
and unnecessary excuses to protect the company, from which he has got a l=
ot
of advantages. Advantages that is being sucked from the blood of the peop=
le
of Amungme, from dirt that is irresponsibly being dumped to a clean and
beautiful environment.
The Contract of Work was made in Suharto's regime, in an undemocratic
situation, when the legislature was just a government's stamp-body, and
people lived in fear. The COW was signed in a situation which did not giv=
e
any respect to aspirations and democratic mechanism. It means the COW was=
signed in a wrong system. AT this moment, the government, the people, and=
the legislature are in the process of building a correct system, the one
based on the pure democracy principles. Henry Kissinger must give respect=
to
this process, and must be willing to adjust their COW, if he really
represents the interest of the United States which puts democracy on top
priority instead of material advantages.
Justification for the review of PT. Freeport's Contract of Work:
The COW is not legitimate to Indonesian people since it was signed in
Suharto's era, when there was a shift of the Old Order to the New Order, =
and
in a wrong governance system and mechanism.
The COW was made with no regard to local people's participation and done =
in
an incorrect manner. Even Papua, at that moment, had not been a part of t=
he
Republic of Indonesia. All the legal basis used to legitimate this COW, s=
uch
as the 1945 Constitution (UUD 1945), the Mining Basic Act (UU Pokok
Pertambangan), the Foreign Capital Investment Act (UU Penanaman Modal
Asing), and the Agrarian Basic Act (UU Pokok Agraria) was not valid in
Papua.
The Second COW was signed before the first COW ends, by which Freeport ha=
d
already known a huge gold ore deposit in Grassberg -the government of
Indonesia didn't have any idea about this, or pretended not knowing about=
the biggest gold ore deposit in the world. It is very clear that there wa=
s
effort to disguise the phenomenon of this deposit from the GOI while sign=
ing
in the second COW.
Environmental matters are not in detail mentioned in the clauses of the C=
OW.
Even the second COW doesn't say anything about Mine Closure, neither the
guarantee-fund for the mine closure operations, whereas is the standard o=
f
mining operation around the world.
A clause in the COW (article 20 of force ignorance) states that the
Government of Indonesia (GOI) has a legal right to end the contract, if
Freeport neglects their responsibilities and the clauses stated in the CO=
W,
by mean of warnings and time to revise the ignorances in 180 days. It is =
too
early for Kissinger to say to the GOI to respect the COW while the
assessment of the presumed abuses are still undergoing process by the
legislature, the government, and the people of Indonesia. Henry Kissinger=
unfairly tries to beat the assessment using political diplomacy and ignor=
e
the clauses in the COW itself.
Actually, the ignorance had happened so many times. For example is the
incident of a big flood flowed over Wanagon lake in 1998, the acid mine
drainage detected from the overburden stockpiles, the copper-polluted
mollusk in Timika estuary (it proves a very high copper concentration in
Ajkwa river area). These phenomena must not happen and need to be managed=
in
their Environmental Management Plan (RKL).
The Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL) conducted by the Environmenta=
l
Impact Agency (Bapedal) proves not to show people's aspiration and maximu=
m
protection to the environment due to a very high political pressure. Wher=
eas
in fact, the environmental destruction caused by this mining operation is=
so
tremendous that it will influence the prosperity and the future of Papua.=
Regarding those matters, we urge the legislature and the GOI not be
influenced by Mr. Kissinger's intimidation and continue the transparent
process to evaluate and conduct an assessment to Freeport's performance a=
nd
Contract of Work.
Jakarta, February 29, 2000
Emmy Hafild
Executive Director
WALHI-Indonesian Forum for Environment
Friends of the Earth Indonesia
Jl. Tegal Parang Utara No. 14, Jakarta 12790
Tel.+62 21 7919-3363; Fax.+62 21 7941-673
Email. walhi@walhi.or.id; URL. http://www.walhi.or.id
____________________________________________________________________
Get your own FREE, personal Netscape WebMail account today at http://webm=
ail.netscape.com.
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
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Date: 3/1/00 1:40:46 PM Central Standard Time
From: iris@matra.com.au (Anne Noonan)
To: reg.westpapua@gn.apc.org
Thousands attack police station in West Papua violence
Thousands of people have attacked a police station in
Indonesia's easternmost province of West Papua, formerly
known
as Irian Jaya.
Police officials say an estimated two-thousand people
took
part in the attack, in protest at the death of a man on
Monday
during a violent protest.
About 50 Papuans attacked the barracks of the police
Mobile
Brigade, a crack paramilitary unit.
Police say the protestors are armed with arrows, spears
and
other traditional weapons.
-----------------------------------------------
Australia West Papua Association, Sydney
PO BOX 65
Millers Point, NSW
Australia 2000
Tel/fax 61 2 99601698
iris@matra.com.au
Date: 3/1/00 2:33:59 PM Central Standard Time
From: admin@irja.org
Sender: owner-kabar-irian@irja.org
Reply-to: admin@irja.org
www.KABAR-IRIAN.com & www.IRJA.org
See http://www.irja.org/eypij.htm for the correct meaning of Irian
For KI help or information see the end of this message
Jakarta Post, English Ed., Opinion and Letters, March 02, 2000
Kissinger's friendship toward Indonesia
I have a friend who once worked for Freeport in Tembaga
Pura. One of the things he noticed when he was there was
that there is now a massive hole in the ground where a
rather large mountain used to be. He also observed that
the
local people were reaping very little benefit from having
the
world's largest copper and gold mine on their doorstep,
and
that the rivers around the mine were an interesting
(albeit
rather unnatural) color. His list of serious concerns was
a
long one and he returned to his home country extremely
disillusioned with Freeport's enterprise in Irian Jaya.
According to Henry Kissinger (self-proclaimed friend of
Indonesia), the government should not raise such
concerns. The contract should be respected because it is
in
the interests of Indonesia since "you want investment
from
all over the world", he announced on Feb. 28. Kissinger
must know, but will not mention, that the original
Freeport
contract was made with a corrupt and self-serving regime
that would have sold the country's soul if it would mean
an
extra zillion bucks in its own pocket. He also must know
that the people of Irian Jaya deride the contract simply
as a
mechanism for an American company to plunder their
abundant natural resources.
He must also be aware that the company is an
environmental catastrophe in progress. But all this is of
no
consequence, he seems to be saying: the main thing is to
keep the investors happy. And of course, one of the
investors that needs to be kept happy is Kissinger
himself
-- Freeport McMoRan's website lists him as a member of
the board of directors. The manifest self-interest in his
statements is stunning, even for an American ex-secretary
of state.
Indonesia should reject Kissinger's "You need our
investment so let us do what we want" argument as it
simply worships the markets while using Indonesia's
economic woes as an opportunity to exert pressure (You're
down and the markets will kill you if you mess with us,
seems to be the central thrust of his argument). Well,
what
the markets want seldom has any correlation to what is
proper, right and fair, and Indonesia is currently trying
to
set up a system based on these values. Does Indonesia
really need to protect multinationals' right to destroy
the
environment in order to attract foreign investment? The
right to pollute? The right to drain a province's natural
resources? Of course not. Indonesia should insist that
all
investors (including Freeport) apply the same high
standards that they are required to observe when doing
business in their own countries. And stop listening to
advice from friends like Kissinger.
ANDREW TRIGG
Jakarta
KABAR IRIAN ("Irian News")
NOTE: "IRJA.org Inc., the moderator/s and subscribers do not neccessarily
hold to or support the opinions and views expressed in these postings. They
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Date: 3/1/00 8:38:45 AM Central Standard Time
From: tapol@gn.apc.org (TAPOL)
To: reg.westpapua@gn.apc.org
The Jakarta Post, Monday, February 28, 2000
IRIANESE CONGRESS REJECTS 1969 PLEBESCITE
Jayapura, Irian Jaya
The firts Papuans Congress ended on Saturday with a unanimous rejection of
the 1969 plebecite that incorporated the former Dutch territory into
Indonesia.
In a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Saturday, the 500
congress participants said the popular consultation lacked legitimacy
because the Indonesia government held it without involving eligible voters.
The polls was conducted based on the 1962 New York Agreement between the
UN, Indonesian and the Netherlands.
"Only 0.8 percent of the 80.000 eligible voters took part in the so-called
popular consultation," the congress' declaration signed by local leaders
Theys H.Eluay and Tom Beanal said.
The poll, locally known as Pepera, the acronym Penentuan Pendapat Rakyat
(People's Self determination Vote) was sancitioned after the transger of
power over the western part of the island from the Netherlands to Indonesia
trough the UN in May 1963.
The congress participants called the transfer of power invalid since it was
decided without consulting local people.
Independence demands have been on the rise over the past two years in the
province, the home to one of the word's largest gold and cooper mining
industries, in response to past human rights violations and the unfair
divisions of revenues earned from exploiting its natural resources.
"That is why decide to separate from Indonesia and form a Papua nation ,
"the statement said.
Numerous demonstrations demanding independence have taken across the
province, including one on Dec. 1 where the aMorning Star rebel flag was
hoisted. Several people, including Theys, were questioned following the
incident.
President Abdurrahman Wahid has rejected the independence demands, offering
wideranging autonomy instead.
The latest rally to reject the autonomy offer on Feb.16 ended in violence
leaving a man shot dead and several people including police officers injured.
Independence movements have also been seen in the country's other
resource-rich provinces of Aceh and Riau.
Irianese people are prepared to hold dialogs and other peaceful and
democratic ways in the search for a settlement, the statement added.
Congres participants also expressed their gratitute to President
Abdurrahman Wahid for his decision to change the name of Irian Jaya to
Papua on New Year,s Eve.
"By changing the name, the President has recognized the cultural identity
we have been struggling for, " it said.
Tom Beanal said the statement would be sent to the UN and the governments
for Indonesia, the Netherlands and the United States because of their
alleged refusal to acknowlwdge the political rights of Papuans.
The congress participants decided to set up a Papuan presidium council,
which was tasked with preparations for a bigger congress slated for April.
The presidium comprises tribual, women, youth and student leaders as well
as local scholars and foreign delegatuions.
The four-day congress, which was held in Sentani Hotel, ran peacefully
under the watchful eyes of about 1,000 local security personnel. ***
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign
111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath,
Surrey CR7 8HW, UK
Phone: 0181 771-2904 Fax: 0181 653-0322
email: tapol@gn.apc.org
Internet: www.gn.apc.org/tapol
Campaigning to expose human rights violations in
Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua and Aceh
26 years - and still going strong
Date: 3/1/00 8:43:03 AM Central Standard Time
From: tapol@gn.apc.org (TAPOL)
To: reg.westpapua@gn.apc.org, indonesia-act@igc.apc.org
CC: plovers@gn.apc.org
The following is the text of the statement issued by the Grand Assembly
(Musyawarah Besar) held in Port Numbay (Jayapura) from 23 - 26 February, 2000:
The people of West Papua convey their profound appreciation to the
President of the Republic of Indonesia, K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid who
carefully paid attention to the innermost feelings of the people of West
Papua regarding their sense of identity and decided to change the name of
the region called Irian Jaya to West Papua on 31 December 1999. We shall
therefore, now and forever more, use the name West Papua instead of Irian
Jaya.
The people of West Papua regret and regard as unlawful the transfer of
sovereignty of the people of Papua from the Dutch, through the intermediary
of the United Nations to the Indonesians on 31 October 1963 (sic). This
transfer took place without the agreement of the people of West Papua and
the West Papuan National Council which had the power and authority to
determine the fate of the people of West Papua; this power and authority
was arbitrarily ignored in the New York Agreement concluded on 15 August 1962.
In view of the unlawful transfer of sovereignty of the people of West Papua
by the Netherlands via the intermediary of the United Nations to Indonesia,
the people of West Papua categorically reject the results of the 'Act of
Free Choice' (Pepera) which was conducted by the government of Indonesia on
the basis of the New York Agreement of 15 August 1962.
The people of West Papua reject the results of Pepera held in 1969 for the
following reasons;
The Act of Free Choice was conducted in violation of the terms of the New
York Agreement, Article 18 of which stipulated that an Act of
Self-Determination (not a Pepera!) 'must conform with international practice'.
The way in which the Indonesian government conducted the act of
self-determination, called the Pepera, abolished the rights and political
freedoms of the West Papuan people, by means of political intimidation,
arrests, imprisonment and murder of West Papuans by the military, all of
which was in violation of the New York Agreement.
The 1025 persons selected by Indonesia to take part in Pepera and secure
victory for Indonesia were a tiny group, accounting for a mere 0.8 per cent
of the population of 800,000 people. The remaining 99.2 per cent, the
majority of the people, were subjected to intimidation and were not given
the right to vote.
After being integrated into Indonesia as a result of the unfair and
fraudulent Pepera, we West Papuan people have been a part of the Unitary
State of the Republic of Indonesia during which time we have been subjected
to brutal and inhuman treatment: human rights abuses, killings, rapes,
ignorance, poverty and social injustice and have been subjected to virtual
ethnic and cultural genocide.
We therefore state
* that it is our desire to choose freedom and to separate from the Republic
of Indonesia, as was conveyed by the Papuan people to President Habibie and
members of his reformation cabinet on 26 February 1999 at the presidential
palace.
* that we shall pursue dialogue and peaceful and democratic ways to realise
the wishes of the West Papuan people in order to secure the agreement of
the Indonesian government
This press communique is respectfully submitted to the Indonesian
government, the Dutch government and the United Nations as the parties that
obliterated the political rights of the people of West Papua. It is also
being made available to the nations and states of the world to enable them
to understand our reasons and to give us their support.
Signed on behalf of the Grand Assembly of the West Papuan nation, held on
23 - 26 February 2000 by:
Teis Hiyo Eluay, Great Leader of the Papuan Nation,
Tom Beanal, Great Leader of the Papuan Nation,
Representatives of the Papuan Nation coming from the districts,
Delegates representing political prisoners, groups in the Pacific.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign
111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath,
Surrey CR7 8HW, UK
Phone: 0181 771-2904 Fax: 0181 653-0322
email: tapol@gn.apc.org
Internet: www.gn.apc.org/tapol
Campaigning to expose human rights violations in
Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua and Aceh
26 years - and still going strong
Date: 3/1/00 8:38:45 AM Central Standard Time
From: tapol@gn.apc.org (TAPOL)
To: reg.westpapua@gn.apc.org
The Jakarta Post, Monday, February 28, 2000
IRIANESE CONGRESS REJECTS 1969 PLEBESCITE
Jayapura, Irian Jaya
The firts Papuans Congress ended on Saturday with a unanimous rejection of
the 1969 plebecite that incorporated the former Dutch territory into
Indonesia.
In a statement made available to The Jakarta Post on Saturday, the 500
congress participants said the popular consultation lacked legitimacy
because the Indonesia government held it without involving eligible voters.
The polls was conducted based on the 1962 New York Agreement between the
UN, Indonesian and the Netherlands.
"Only 0.8 percent of the 80.000 eligible voters took part in the so-called
popular consultation," the congress' declaration signed by local leaders
Theys H.Eluay and Tom Beanal said.
The poll, locally known as Pepera, the acronym Penentuan Pendapat Rakyat
(People's Self determination Vote) was sancitioned after the transger of
power over the western part of the island from the Netherlands to Indonesia
trough the UN in May 1963.
The congress participants called the transfer of power invalid since it was
decided without consulting local people.
Independence demands have been on the rise over the past two years in the
province, the home to one of the word's largest gold and cooper mining
industries, in response to past human rights violations and the unfair
divisions of revenues earned from exploiting its natural resources.
"That is why decide to separate from Indonesia and form a Papua nation ,
"the statement said.
Numerous demonstrations demanding independence have taken across the
province, including one on Dec. 1 where the aMorning Star rebel flag was
hoisted. Several people, including Theys, were questioned following the
incident.
President Abdurrahman Wahid has rejected the independence demands, offering
wideranging autonomy instead.
The latest rally to reject the autonomy offer on Feb.16 ended in violence
leaving a man shot dead and several people including police officers injured.
Independence movements have also been seen in the country's other
resource-rich provinces of Aceh and Riau.
Irianese people are prepared to hold dialogs and other peaceful and
democratic ways in the search for a settlement, the statement added.
Congres participants also expressed their gratitute to President
Abdurrahman Wahid for his decision to change the name of Irian Jaya to
Papua on New Year,s Eve.
"By changing the name, the President has recognized the cultural identity
we have been struggling for, " it said.
Tom Beanal said the statement would be sent to the UN and the governments
for Indonesia, the Netherlands and the United States because of their
alleged refusal to acknowlwdge the political rights of Papuans.
The congress participants decided to set up a Papuan presidium council,
which was tasked with preparations for a bigger congress slated for April.
The presidium comprises tribual, women, youth and student leaders as well
as local scholars and foreign delegatuions.
The four-day congress, which was held in Sentani Hotel, ran peacefully
under the watchful eyes of about 1,000 local security personnel. ***
End 3-1-00
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TAPOL, the Indonesia Human Rights Campaign
111 Northwood Road, Thornton Heath,
Surrey CR7 8HW, UK
Phone: 0181 771-2904 Fax: 0181 653-0322
email: tapol@gn.apc.org
Internet: www.gn.apc.org/tapol
Campaigning to expose human rights violations in
Indonesia, East Timor, West Papua and Aceh
26 years - and still going strong
=======================================================
E-Mail:
isssues@lykos.com
