BBC Worldwide Monitoring July 31, 2002

Papua Presidium says Indonesian military out to undermine autonomy 

The Papua Presidium Council is accusing the Indonesian government of trying to foment civil unrest in Papua so it can withdraw the province's special autonomy status. The council's United Nations lobbyist, Rex Rumakiek, says the police and TNI special forces are reporting threats of separatist attacks to Jakarta authorities, who then send more armed troops to the province to 
maintain law and order.

Mr Rumakiek says Papuans are confused about the military build-up, as there is a continuing dialogue between their representatives and the government top romote peace and stability. He says the Indonesian government is trying to undermine its own special autonomy bill to protect the military's business interests there.

Rumakiek The grass-roots people and everybody are talking peace and try to promote dialogue. Jakarta is implementing the opposite. They passed the bill in parliament in the first place and they really want it to go ahead. At the same time, they want to undermine it themselves. The military has a lot of commercial interests in West Papua and special autonomy would actually undermine the business interests.