PAPUA-(IDB) : President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has sought to quell growing
support for Papuan self-determination among Indonesia’s Pacific island
neighbors, on Monday seeking to demonstrate the area’s recent economic
progress to visiting Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo.
Members of the intergovernmental Melanesian Spearhead Group have
recently expressed sympathy for self-determination for the Indonesian
provinces of Papua and West Papua, and some officials in Jakarta fear it
could bolster wider international support for secession.
The MSG comprises Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu
as well as the Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front (FLNKS) of
New Caledonia, a special collectivity of France.
The West Papua National Coalition for Liberation, an umbrella group
for organizations seeking West Papuan independence, applied in June for
membership of the MSG during the group’s summit in Noumea, New
Caledonia.
Only after intervention from Jakarta did the MSG delay its decision on the WPNCL application by six months.
“President Yudhoyono invited the Solomon Islands prime minister so
they can discuss various bilateral issues, including Papua,” Teuku
Faizasyah, a presidential spokesman for international issues, said after
the meeting. “The president has explained to his guest that Indonesia
has done many things to make Papua prosperous and that the development
will continue.”
Faizasyah said officials from Melanesian countries had also visited
Papua, and claimed all the officials had praised Indonesia’s development
there.
“[The] Solomon Islands has never supported Papuan independence. They
understand how serious Indonesia is in developing Papua and empowering
the Papuans. On several occasions, they said they respected Indonesia’s
territorial integration. The MSG also has a similar understanding of
Indonesia’s serious efforts.”
Faizasyah said the visit would counter negative reports about Papua.
Indonesia’s military and police have been accused of gross human
rights violations in Papua, including extra-judicial killings of
pro-independence activists.
Several videos circulating online show police torturing Papuans while
foreign media outlets have reported on efforts to spy on Papua
activists and limit their freedom.
Jakarta has maintained a massive military presence in Papua and
implemented a tight screening process for foreigners wishing to enter
the provinces, raising suspicion about national government activities
there.
Aleksius Jemadu, dean of Pelita Harapan University’s School of Social
and Political Sciences, said the Indonesian government needs to boost
relations with Melanesian countries if it is to prevent the push for
independence gathering momentum.
“I think Indonesia has the economic leverage to persuade the
Melanesian countries to support its territorial integrity,” he said.
“Jakarta can convince the countries that Indonesia is a gateway to an
Asian economic miracle and they can be part of the economic prosperity
through Indonesia.”
The western portion of Papua was integrated into Indonesia following
the 1969 so-called Act of Free Choice, but tensions have long persisted.
Faizasyah said Lilo’s visit “reflects the determination of the two
nations to build their friendship based on the respect of their
respective sovereignty.”
He added that dealings between the Solomon Islands and Indonesia had been productive over the past five years.
“Our trade relations even registered an average annual increase of
17.28 percent,” he said. “The Solomon Islands also works with Indonesia
in the fields of energy, fishing, development, media and culture.”
Bilateral trade volume was at $15.9 million in 2012, with Indonesia posting a $9.1 million surplus.
Faizasyah said the two leaders also discussed economic cooperation
and development programs for the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asian
regions.
Lilo is scheduled to remain in Indonesia until Wednesday.
Source : JakartaGlobe
