Indonesia President Lauded For Stance On West Papua Issues

Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

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Indonesian President Lauded For Stance On West Papua IssuesPresident ‘welcomes’ dialogue, except on independence referendum WELLINGTON, New Zealand (Radio New Zealand International, July 2, 2012) – Papuan leaders have applauded Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s open-handed stance for dialogue over Papuan issues and have urged him to put the statement into action. The Jakarta Post reports Taha Al Hamid, the secretary-general of the Papuan Council Presidium, calling for the establishment of a team to facilitate a dialogue between the central government and Papua administrations. Neles Tebay, the chairman of the Papua Peace Network, says it would need to involve figures with international credibility who have the trust of the Papuan people. The team is expected to draw up the format, aims and mechanisms of the dialogue. During his visit to the Indonesian Military Command Institute in Bandung on Friday, President Yudhoyono said he would welcome any initiative for a dialogue except those that intended to push for a referendum on independence. He says Jakarta can engage in dialogue to achieve progress on development, people’s welfare and justice but there is no room for discussion about a referendum on independence. [PIR editor’s note: West Papuan groups and other international human rights organizations have expressed hopes that upcoming talks between Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Yudhoyono can be used to discuss the current media ban in Papua and help to put an end to ongoing violence in the region.] Radio New Zealand International: www.rnzi.com Copyright © 2012 RNZI. All Rights Reserved