Current Events in West Papua (per November 8, 2000 by the CEB in Port Numbay)

Tomorrow, November 9, 2000 is expected to be the day to determine whether or not the Morning Star Flag, the symbol of independence for West Papua to be lowered down all over West Papua.

The PDP announced yesterday (8/11/00) that it will not attend the meeting due to the mutations of army and polices commanders (see below) and their places will not be replaced on November 9. And also the definitive governor for Papua province has not yet inaugurated.

Indonesian government is trying to promote deadlock in resolving West Papua political issues. They are trying to create tense and they will most probably pull down the Papuan Flag by force during the time the new Commanders are not yet replaced and the governor is not in the office.

"If the Papua Presidium Council only meet members of the staff of the army, police and governor, then this is an indication that the Indonesian government does not seriously address the independence movement in West Papua. If these people are not yet in the office, we will boycott the meeting," says one of the PDP members. What will happen if these three key officials for Papua province are not present while the PDP should  determine its position in front of them? What, if the PDP members say they will not allow to pull down the Morning Star Flag?

War is expected to erupt tomorrow if the army and police attack the Office of Satgas Papua during the commanders and governor are not in the office.

1. The Army Regional Commander for Papua Province, May. Gen. TNI Inkiriwang will leave West Papua tomorrow, 9 November 2000.
2. Papua Presidium Council and Papua Panel will meet the Indonesian Government Officials for Papua in regard to lowering down the Papuan Morning Star Flag.
3. The Police Regional Commander for Papua Province, May. Gen. Pol S.Y. Wenas will leave West Papua in the near future.
4. The Newly Elected Governor and Vice Governor of West Papua, Jaap Salossa and Kostand Karma have not been inaugurated yet. Jakarta is purposely killing the time.
5. The Secretary General and Adviser from Churches organisations of The Penis Gourds Assembly Council will go to the Jayapura Resort Police for investigation on their involvement in the Assembly Council.
6. Many Papuans will gather together in Imbi Park, in front of Irian Jaya Cultural Building (DKIJ) or the Satgas Papua Office to witness the investigation of Demmak's Personnel, and in anticipation of the army and police lowering down the Morning Star Flag. War may erupt if the Indonesian army and police use force as they did in Maroke, Nabire, Sorong, Manokwari, and Wamena.