The West Papuan Community

Masyarakat Papua Barat

The Honourable, Prof. Dr. B.J. Habibie,

President of the Republic of Indonesia,

Jakarta, INDONESIA

Subject: The Case of West Papua

"Blessings be to You in the Holy Name of the Lord Jesus Christ"

Dear Mr. President,

On behalf of the West Papuan Community, we are taking this opportunity to extend our highest appreciation fot the political-goodwill of your Administration toward the West Papua/ns as reflected by the success in the conduction of the memorable National Dialogue recently.

It is understood that dealing with a special matter as to the case of West Papua (as an annexed State), will certainly put whomsoever in you capacity as Head of State in a very difficult position - the problem is : How to reveal the truth to your people without developing a side-problem of national misunderstanding which will in turn endanger your position.

As Papuans, we do recognise and respect National Life of the Indonesians, as well as other nations globally - but never in return, do we get the same recognition and respect likewise. The lack-of-Respect-And-Recognition has subjected West Papua as a State National Rights by the Government of Indonesia under international legitimation for over three (3) decades.

This Lack-of-Respect-and-Recognition has had led the New Generation of the West Papuans to a belief that they are in NO WAY Indonesians; and that in order to maintain their Papua-Melanesoid Ethnical, Cultural and National Identity, there is absolutely no other solution, except TOTAL AND UNCONDITIONAL RESTORATION OF THEIR NATIONAL (POLITICAL) RIGHTS as an ANNEXED State and a People.

The case of West Papua is more likely a case of Human Rights than Political. We do not mean to put you in a more difficult position, but recognising your proven role as the "Father of Democracy" in Indonesia, we are convinced that the painful matter regarding the case of West Papua could be driven itno a new dimension for a peaceful final settlement based on more humane and Mutual acy" in Indonesia, we are convinced that the painful matter regarding the case of West Papua could be driven itno a new dimension for a peaceful final settlement based on more humane and Mutual Understanding.

To assist you in defining the case of West Papua more objectively and in order to help the development of more simple, more realitstic and workable JUST solutions, we would like to bring to your attention the following:

1. Let us review the history of the Annexation of West Papua in order to sort each developing problem more proportionally;

2. If there is FREEDOM for West Papua, please confirm unconditionally, likewise, if there is NO FREEDOM, we honestly request your kindness in state it openly in an INTERNATIONAL level forum (as to its basic considerations) in order to obtain a JUST Internaitonal clarification, as the ANNEXATOIN of West Papua in the 1960s by the Indonesian Government was internationally legitimatised through the United Nations.

3. For the West Papuans, LAWS applicable to the clarification of the case of West papua (as an ANNEXED State and a People) are ABSOLUTELY Internatoinal Laws, not Indonesian Laws. However, facturally for over three (3) decades the Indonesian Government has had imposed various sanctions on the West Papuan National Rights Defenders and not seldom accused the Papuans as SEPARATISTS, based on the Indonesian laws. This reflects total incapability of the Governmetn of Idonesia to RATIONALLY DEFINE the striking difference between the problems concerning West Papua as an ANNEXED State and a People, and ordinary problmes arisen within the context related to the status of Irian Jaya as a PROVINCE OF INDONESIA.

4. It is the responsibility of the Indoensian Government to thoroughly define the aforementioned and widely publicise and explain it to the entire natoin especially The Indonesian Armed Forces in order to bring the ongoing Human Rights Violations in West Papua to an immediate end - including THE RELEASE OF POLITICAL PRISONERS arbitrarily detained in connection with the case of West Papua.

5. The West Papuanas do believe that "THE GREATNESS OF A NATION DOES NOT EXIST AND DEPENDENT ON ITS PHYSICAL POWER AND MIGHT, BUT IN THE ABILITY OF THE NATION ITSELF TO RECOGNISE AND CORRECT THE SMALLEST NATIONAL ERRORS MADE BY ITS LEADERS.'

Attached herewith for your reference, review and further consideration, a copy of the West Papua's Political History, entitiled:

"WEST PAPUA from COLONISATION to RECOLONISATION

Finally, while pondering what has had been presented hereby for further reference in the painful case of West Papua, let us refer to a special message, written in the Holy Bible, in the book of Exodus Chapter 4 verse 23:

'Let My son go that he may ser Me'

Your attention, and further consideration on the abovementioned matter will be highly appreciated.

Yours trully,

The Alliance of Papuan Stundents

for The West Papuan Community

DEMIANUS T. WANIMBO

Chairman

cc:

1. The Hon. Secretary General of the United Nations in New York USA

2. The Congress of the USA, Washington DC.

3. The Hon. Chair of the World Council of Churches in Switzerland

4. The Hon. Chair of the International Court of Justice in The Hagure, the Netherlands