Jakarta Gives US Its Side of Story in Papua Deaths

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http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/jakarta-gives-us-its-side-of-story-in-papua-deaths/473590

1) Jakarta Gives US Its Side of Story in Papua Deaths
By Arya Kencana, Banjir Ambarita & Ulma Haryanto | October 23, 2011

Nusa Dua, Bali. Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro has explained away last week's deadly crackdown on civilians in Papua as a separatist rebellion that had to be quashed, at a meeting with his US counterpart on Sunday.

He said that Indonesia felt obliged to talk about the incident with the US government to avoid any misunderstandings.

'We clearly explained that the [gathering] was a separatist movement,' Purnomo said on Sunday after bilateral talks with US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.

'Everywhere it's the same, separatism has to be put down. The Indonesian government will not tolerate separatists.'

He added that although Panetta had 'completely agreed' with him on the issue of separatism, it was still necessary to set the record straight because of 'growing concerns over human rights violations related to what happened in Papua.'

In the incident last Wednesday, security forces in Papua's Abepura district fired shots to break up the Third Papuan People's Congress and arrested hundreds of participants.

Though the police and military denied firing into the crowd, six bodies were found the next day outside a military facility near the site of the crackdown.

A photograph of a body purported to be that of Daniel Kadepa, a 25-year-old university student, was obtained by the Jakarta Globe. It showed the body of a man lying face down with a wound to the back of his head.

'I talked to the forensic doctor who checked the body and he told me that Daniel was killed by a gunshot to the head,' said Oktovianus Pogau, a member of the Papua Solidarity Society.

'A relative of his also told me that she saw with her own eyes a military officer shoot him.'

Other photos showed bodies purported to be those of Max Asayeuw, 31, and Yacob Samonsabra, 54. Both men were part of the Papuan Caretaker Movement (Petapa) and were guarding the congress. Yacob had a gunshot wound to the chest, while Max's face was bruised and bloodied.

The crackdown prompted US Congressman Eni Faleomavaega, a Democrat from American Samoa, to ask Indonesia's ambassador to the United States for guarantees of safety for those arrested last week.

'It has been reported that the Indonesian Armed Forces [TNI] fired shots during the meeting where a crowd of thousands of defenseless and unarmed civilians were engaged in peaceful political assembly,' he wrote.

Faleomavaega said the reports gave evidence of crimes against humanity, adding: 'I have very serious concerns in the matter and I do not condone the serious acts of violence by the TNI and police on the peaceful demonstration by unarmed civilians who were simply voicing their opinions about the failure of the government of Indonesia to seriously implement the Special Autonomy Law for West Papua.'

Local human rights watchdog Imparsial has urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to make good on his promise to end the long-running conflict in Papua. 'This is the right moment for the president to use his heart and constructive communication to end the problems in Papua,' said Poengki Indarti, the group's executive director.

Continued violence will not only further erode the trust of the Papuan people in the government in Jakarta, she warned, but also tarnish the president's image as a democratic figure with respect for human rights in the eyes of the Indonesian people and the international community.

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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/10/23/police-did-not-violate-procedures-papua-congress-presidential-spokesman.html

2) Police did not violate procedures in Papua Congress: Presidential spokesman

By Bagus BT Saragih, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sun, 10/23/2011 7:53 PM

Police and military officers acted appropriately in the way that they dispersed the third Papuan People's Congress, Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said on Sunday.

'The government did not find any abuse of power nor mismanaged approaches by the security officers. Police officers and security forces just accomplished their duties mandated by the State,' Julian told The Jakarta Post.

'We initially had no problem with the plan to hold the congress. However, after we found out that the Congress turned into a forum that did not recognize the government and the NKRI [Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia], the forces needed to do something,' he added, reiterating that any attempt to secede from the country would be against the law.

At least three dead bodies were found not far from where the congress was held after security forces and the police forcefully dispersed the event. About 300 hundred of the 5,000 that attended the congress were arrested.

The government has denied that its security forces were involved in the killings.

'If any violations of the code of conduct are found committed by security and police officers, internal investigation must be carried out,' Julian said.

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3)
US endorses Indonesia amid Papua separatist moves

RNZI Posted at 17:21 on 23 October, 2011 UTC

The US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta says Washington will continue to develop military ties with Indonesia but keep a watchful eye on human rights abuses.

Mr Panetta says the US supports Indonesia's efforts against separatism - a reaction to last week's Papuan Congress which led to its leaders being charged with treason.

However, Mr Panetta says the US is monitoring possible human rights abuses after five people were found dead after security forces stormed the pro-independence gathering.

He says the US wants to ensure that discipline is taken and exerted against anyone who violates human rights.

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http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/76841/nu-leader-asks-govt-to-handle-papua-problems-without-violence

4) NU leader asks govt to handle Papua problems without violence

Sat, October 22 2011 00:46

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) leader KH Said Aqil Siroj on Friday asked the government to handle the problems in Papua "with dignity" and in a non-violent or humane manner devoid of "the security approach."

"They (Papuans) should be drawn into conversation, their problems addressed through the cultural, humane approach. Involve also the local civil society," the chairman of the country`s largest Muslim mass organization said.

He was commenting on Wednesday`s incident in Jayapura where police broke up a "Papua People`s Congress" because it had turned into a forum supporting West Papua`s separation from the Republic of Indonesia. A number of the meeting`s participants were arrested but at the same time a few people were found dead at locations away from the meeting`s venue.

"NU would deeply deplore the continued application of the security approach or violent methods in Papua, including in the handling of the Third Papua People`s Congress," he said.

"I am surprised that the government still uses such methods," he added.

Meanwhile, the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) said it was worried that the crackdown on the Papua People`s Congress would be followed by en escalation in resort to violence in Papua.

"We are worried because a manhunt is still going on to catch people suspected of being OPM (Free Papua Organization) activists," Komnas HAM Chairman Ifdal Kasim said.

But on Thursday (Oct 20), a number of Papua figures in Jakarta stated they categorically rejected the holding of the Third Papua People`s Congress and its results.

The meeting was just a ploy of a handful of Papua Customary Council members who did not at all represent the majority of the people of Papua and West Papua, they said.

The dissenting Papua figures included Ramses Ohee who played an important role in the 1969 referendum that favored Papua`s integration into Indonesia, Hems Bonay, daughter of Papua`s first governor, Elieser Jan Bonay, and West Papua figure Umar Askad Sabuku.

But they also asked the government not to use violent means in handling the post-Papua People`s Congress situation. They urged the government to more seriously develop Papua in accordance with its status as a region enjoying special autonomy.

"If Papua`s special autonomy is implemented properly, I am sure that gradually significant changes for the better will happen in Papua and there will be reason for people there to talk about separation," said Frans Ansanay, a young Papua leader. (*)

Editor: B Kunto Wibisono

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http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/76878/ri-us-defense-ministers-discuss-military-cooperation

5) RI, US defense ministers discuss military cooperation

Sun, October 23 2011 20:09

Nusa Dua, Bali (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro and his US counterpart Leon Panetta met here on Sunday to discuss cooperation in the military field.

"The US government highly respects Indonesia. During the discussion with the minister (Panetta) today, we discussed the progress achieved in bilateral relations and made a commitment to maintain it," Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro said here on Sunday after meeting with Minister Panetta on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministerial Meeting at the Mulia Hotel, Bali.

Purnomo said the US defense minister expressed his government`s commitment to assist Indonesia in procuring hardware for its main military weaponry system. He said Minister Panetta also made a statement that the US supported the establishment of an ASEAN Security Community by 2015.

"The US has also played a role in supporting Indonesia`s program to develop its maritime security sustem by providing radar for use in the Malacca Strait," Purnomo said.(*)

ENDS

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