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Pacific Concerns Resource Centre Press Release 1/12/2000 Pacific Concerns Resource Centre (PCRC) MEDIA RELEASE - 1 December 2000Indonesian authorities threaten "repressive measures" in West PapuaOn the anniversary of West Papua’s declaration of independence, Pacific Island leaders must call on the Indonesian authorities to end repressive actions in West Papua, according to the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre. "Pacific governments should support efforts for mediation and peaceful dialogue between Indonesia and the West Papuan independence movement," states Motarilavoa Hilda Lini, director of the Pacific Concerns Resource Centre (PCRC). "We urge Pacific leaders to speak publicly on this issue. Our Pacific governments should call on Indonesia to end the harassment of key West Papuan leaders, to allow for negotiations on the political future of West Papua. We must also ask the United Nations to review the so-called Act of Free Choice of 1969, and encourage a proper process of self-determination for the people of West Papua." Mrs. Lini stated: "At the 31st Pacific Islands Forum in Kiribati, Pacific leaders called for peaceful dialogue between the Indonesian government and the West Papuan independence movement. Today, on the 39th anniversary of the declaration of West Papuan independence from the Dutch, it is important that Pacific governments call for restraint by the Indonesian military and police." This week, key leaders of the West Papuan nationalist movement were detained by Indonesian police, and questioned over alleged subversion. Taha Al Hamid, the secretary general of the Papua Presidium Council, has been charged with subversion for activities such as raising West Papua’s Morning Star independence flag. Theys Eluay, the Chairperson of the Presidium Council, was also detained by the Indonesian police, and faces charges of subversion. Throughout November, Indonesia’s military and police have threatened "repressive measures", in preparation for today’s anniversary of the West Papuan Declaration of Independence from the Netherlands in 1961. In recent statements, key Indonesian military officers and officials have called for repression to halt the popular mobilisation in West Papua, which is calling for independence from Indonesia. On 10 November, Indonesian police launched a three-month operation named Operation Tuntas to crack down on the independence movement. Superintendent Kusnadi of the Police and Operational Command told the Jakarta Post: "We will use all approaches in stages, from persuasive measures moving to repressive measures". On 15 November, two battalions of "green beret" soldiers from Indonesia’s Kostrad (Army Strategic Reserve Command) were sent to West Papua. Some 2000 Indonesian troops from Battalion 431 and 433 were sent from their base in South Sulawesi. Major General Sembiring Meliala, former military commander in West Papua, this week stated: "We definitely need more troops to secure Papua. We will do all necessary measures to curb any separatist movement anywhere in the country. Repressive measures sometimes cannot be avoided." PCRC believes that the Pacific Islands Forum and Pacific governments have an important role to play to avoid further human rights violations in West Papua. Mrs. Lini added. "The Pacific Islands Forum statement on West Papua in November 2000 was an important step in acknowledging that West Papua has always been part of Melanesia and the wider Pacific region, historically, geographically and culturally. But our Pacific governments must continue to support our brothers and sisters in West Papua, to avoid a repeat of the massacres that occurred in Timor." For further information, contact PCRC Director Motarilavoa Hilda Lini or Assistant Director (Decolonisation) Jimmy Naunaa on phone (679) 304649 or email pcrc@is.com.fj Pacific Concerns Resource Centre (PCRC) 83 Amy Street, Toorak Private Mail Bag, Suva FIJI ISLANDS Phone: (679) 304649 Fax: (679) 304755 Email: pcrc@is.com.fj Pacific Concerns Resource Centre (PCRC) is the Secretariat of the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific (NFIP) movement. It is registered in the Fiji Islands under the Charitable Trusts Act. PCRC is a Non-Governmental Organisation in General Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
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