"The bloodshed of innocent civilians is prevented. Thank you for all supporters of West Papua, thank you to God," says Rev. Timothy Wanimbo from Demmak. (CEB reporting from Port Numbay, October 19, 2000)

"For the sake of humanity and democracy, the plan  to lower down the Papuan Flag: Morning Star is suspended today" says T. M. Alhamid, the Secretary General of Papua Presidium Council (PDP). "No one won this war though, because the underlying issue is not about politics, not about who is winning or loosing, but it is about the understanding that we are all humans, and we need to respect humanity and human rights above all other considerations," he adds. "All people in West Papua, migrants and indigenous population are relieved and thankful to the wisdom from the Lord," says Theys Hiyo Eluway, Chairman of the PDP.  

The plan to lower down the Morning Star Flag this day (19 Oct. 00) was suspended yesterday due to humanitarian consideration. A long discussion and debate between the PDP members and the Papua Governor (19:00 - 21:00 pm.), the Commanders of Papua army and police and others in Jayapura resulted in a "blessing" and "peace" for all people who live in Papua.. The meeting deeply considered, based on the past experience, particularly the "Wamena massacre", followed by the demand from the Penis Gourds People's Assembly Council (Demmak) to prevent anybody lowering down the Morning Star Flag. Their statements suggest that members of the Demmak, mostly from Wamena region will fight back with bows and arrows and spears if the Indonesian police take down the Flag. Some of them did read their pledge to die on October 19, 2000. 

Reading the statements and preparation of the indigenous people of Papua, the migrants started evacuating their families and belongings from their homes to the military and police barracks or settlements. The military bases are fully guarded by the military personnel deployed in recent months from Western Indonesia. There are more than 6,000 troops already deployed to West Papua, just to face about 1,500 thousands native Papuans with spears, bows and arrows only. 

The CEB reporters can see armor vehicles, hawks flying very low on the sky all over Papua and military running along the streets everywhere with full battle uniform and shot-machine guns on their shoulders. The military build-up in recent months does not threaten the Papuans at all. They are even more encouraged to fight and to die for their country. Even some of the them have been sworn and signed agreements to die in the war when lowering down Flag. The Police and Army Commander warned the Papuans not to fight with arms. The Papuans have no arms anyway. 

People in Wamena do not acknowledge that there was an agreement signed between the government of Indonesia and the members of the Papua Presidium Council and Papua Panel. What they know is that this is the time to fight the Indonesians. They have memories of their friends, families, relatives and neighbours being murdered, raped, kidnapped, and bombed by the Indonesian army and police. They are deeply concerned that most of the Commanders of the Papua Task Force have been detained and there is no access to the information about where they are until now. Visits from family members are not allowed. What they know now in Wamena is that they are at war now. They will fight back to anyone who fights them. They are on alert, all the time. 

Is there any hope for peace in Wamena, then? The answer is not simple. What the government should do is that they must listen to their only organisation that represents them very well, the Demmak. Demmak channels their voice without any filtering. 

The status of the Morning Star Flag will be discussed between the members of the PDP and Mr. Wahid in Jakarta in the First week of November 2000. "For now, the Flag will not be taken down", says Eluway. He continues, "If Indonesia wants to lower it down, then I will tie the Flag to my body and I must die first before my people. Do not kill innocent civilians. They listen to what I tell them, and if I tell them not to allow Indonesia to take down the Flag, they will fight against anyone that wants to take down the Flag. All things are from me, I am ready to die for my people and my nation."

The assertiveness and determination of the Papuans to die for the independence had caused the Indonesian officials to change their mind and removed the agenda from Papua province to the national level, with Mr. President Wahid. So far, Mr. Wahid agreed to call Irian Jaya as Papua, allowed the Flag to be hoisted all over Papua, allowed the Papua National Congress II, 2000 and even sponsored the Congress. He is in a way sponsoring the independence movement in West Papua. People here are hoping that Mr. Wahid will allow the Flag to be hoisted forever, for the sake of democracy, human rights and humanity above the interests of politics, economy and military.  

Mr. Wanimbo thanked all supporters of West Papua independence movement all over the world and to God for his protection and wisdom. He furthermore warned the world that Indonesia is still run by the military dictatorship, sponsored by Megawati Sukarnoputri, the daughter of the person who invaded West Papua militarily, and that Indonesia is still sponsored by the British and Americans to kill Papuans.(ceb)