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1 Police directed to
arrest OPM rebels
1
2
OPM clean-up begins
2
3
Papua New Guinea government orders police to arrest Indonesian Papua
rebels
3
4
Troops await orders to act against OPM
4
5
Border situation under control'
4
6
No need to panic - Silupa
5
7
Sandaun serves notice to OPM
5
8
The Worrisome of the Papuan Refugees in PNG
5
9
Troops await orders to act against OPM
6
10
Border situation under control'
6
11
PNG's Catholic Church hopes UN can prevent repatriation of border
crossers to Indonesia
7
12
Papua rebels say Jakarta aided Muslim militants
7
13
Hopes that UN knowledge of Vanimo border crossers will save them in
any rebel crackdown
9
14
PNG Catholic Church concerned about safety of Papuan bordercrossers.
9
15
Papua: Military build-up
10
16
Govts in close touch over border problems
10
17
Indons deny troops build-up on border
11
18
PNG BISHOP CALLS FOR SECURITY OF REFUGEES
11
19
Top cop warns against use of PNG soil as rebel bases
11
20
PNG-INDONESIA: Border crackdown threatens refugee security
12
21
Border tense From AWPA Post Courier (PNG) 8/1/03
13
22
PNG government wants OPM rebels out of the country
14
23
RI rejects foreign research on Papua, Aceh
15
24
Indonesia deploys 4,000 military personnel in Irian Jaya exercise
15
25
PNG police commissioner investigating alleged OPM attacks across
Indonesian border
16
26
No evidence so far that soldiers involved in Papua ambush: minister
16
The
National (PNG), January 31, 2003, By Colin Taimbari
The
National Government, through the Chief Secretary Joshua Kalinoe, has
requested Police Commissioner Sam Inguba to arrest any known OPM
operatives in refugee camps in Vanimo, Sandaun province.
A
government spokesman said these operatives were given 21 days to
move out and if they have not done so, then Mr Inguba must implement
the National Security Advisory Council's decision of December last
year.
"As
regards to the OPM training camps inside the PNG side of the border,
a joint police/military operation has commenced and troops will now
be deployed into the border area to destroy these known camps, if
these camps have not already been dismantled by the OPM
operatives,'' said the spokesman.
"Any
OPM operatives found will be arrested and dealt with under PNG laws.
The NSAC has also resolved not to allow any foreign envoys from
visiting the border area without the PNG Government's approval.''
The
spokesman said the Chief Secretary has directed the Secretary for
Foreign Affairs and the Secretary for the Department of Provincial
and Local Level Government Affairs to ensure that officials of
foreign missions in PNG are not allowed to visit Vanimo or the
border area without prior approval from the Government.
The
Government's call follows reports that officials from two foreign
missions had visited OPM camps last week, facilitated by the
Catholic Diocese of Vanimo.
The
church's secretary for peace and justice Samsom Mesambe however
denied any involvement, saying its visitors were human rights groups
from Australia and Indonesia.
Mr
Mesambe said a four-member team (one woman and three men) of former
judges from Australia interviewed border crossers - not OPM rebels -
at the Transmitter Border Crossers Camp outside Vanimo last Thursday
before paying a courtesy visit on Governor Carlos Yuni on Friday
morning. The team, which also visited Kiunga, departed through Port
Moresby.
Mr
Mesambe said the other three-man team, known as the Institute of
Human Rights Study Advocacy from West Papua, was refused permission
by the border crossers, who suspected that they might be working as
undercover agents for the Indonesian Government.
Reports
that an American may have also visited the camps could not be
verified yesterday.
Post-Courier
(PNG) Weekend Edition , January 31-February 2nd, 2003
THE
Government has given police the orders to commence border operations
to push Operasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) off Papua New Guinea soil.
A
spokesman said the Government yesterday gave Police Commissioner Sam
Inguba the orders to commence the border operation.
The
spokesman said a joint police/military operation has commenced and
troops will now be deployed into the border area to destroy any
known OPM training camps inside the PNG side of the border, if they
have not been dismantled yet.
“Any
OPM operatives found will be arrested and dealt with under PNG
laws,” the spokesman said.
The
OPM was given until Wednesday this week to move off PNG soil and
dismantle their training camps. The orders to police are also to
check out refugee camps near Vanimo and arrest any known OPM
operatives.
“These
operatives (OPM) were given 21 days to move out. If they have not
done so, Mr Inguba has been requested by the Chief Secretary to
implement this decision, which was made by the National Security
Advisory Council (NSAC) in December last year,” the spokesman
said.
A
police mobile squad of 47 men will be joined by soldiers based at
the Vanimo army base, numbering about 70, in the exercise.
Meanwhile,
the Government has issued a stern warning against officials of
foreign missions visiting Vanimo or OPM camps along the border
without prior government approval. Chief Secretary of Government
Joshua Kalinoe issued the warning yesterday on directions from the
National Security Advisory Council (NSAC).
A
government spokesman said Mr Kalinoe has directed the departments of
Foreign Affairs and Provincial and Local-level Government Affairs to
ensure that the direction of the NSAC are carried out.
The
direction follows concern raised by the Vanimo-based provincial
intelligence committee of visits by officials of several foreign
missions to OPM and refugee camps.
Committee
chairman and Acting Administrator of West Sepik Joseph Sungi raised
the concerns in a letter to Mr Kalinoe early this week.
Mr
Sungi claimed officials from the Australian High Commission and the
American Embassy had visited Vanimo where they asked to visit the
OPM and refugee camps. He said he had refused to allow them to
visit, but later found out that they had visited the camps.
He
claimed their visits were facilitated by the Catholic Church in
vanimo.
The
Catholic Diocese of Vanimo denied it had facilitated the visits by
officers of foreign missions, by-passing government authority.
Its
Secretary for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Diocese of Vanimo
Samson Mesambe said yesterday the report was not true.
“The
Catholic Church in Vanimo did not organise any such visits,” Mr
Mesambe said in a statement.
He
said it was true that two groups of people visited, one from Irian
Jaya and the other from Australia, but these visits were with the
knowledge of government officials.
He
said they also notified government authorities when the visitors
went to the Bishop’s office.
He
said they told the visitors to deal directly with the government.
Mr
Mesambe said the only help that the Catholic Church gave the
visitors was to take them to the Transmitter refugee camp, located
on the outskirts of Vanimo, which it said was not an OPM camp and
under its care.
“No
help at all has been given to the two groups by the Catholic Diocese
of Vanimo in order to reach the OPM camps on the border,” he said.
BBC
Monitoring International Reports, January 31, 2003
The national government, through the Chief Secretary Joshua Kalinoe,
has requested Police Commissioner Sam Inguba to arrest any known OPM
Indonesian rebels: Operasi Papua Merdeka - Free Papua Movement
operatives in refugee camps in Vanimo, Sandaun Province. A
government spokesman said these operatives were given 21 days to
move out and if they have not done so, then Mr Inguba must implement
the National Security Advisory Council's decision of December last
year.
"As regards to the OPM training camps inside the PNG side of
the border, a joint police/military operation has commenced and
troops will now be deployed into the border area to destroy these
known camps, if these camps have not already been dismantled by the
OPM operatives,'' said the spokesman.
"Any OPM operatives found will be arrested and dealt with under
PNG laws. The NSAC has also resolved not to allow any foreign envoys
from visiting the border area without the PNG Government's
approval.''
The spokesman said the chief secretary has directed the secretary
for foreign affairs and the secretary for the Department of
Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs to ensure that
officials of foreign missions in PNG are not allowed to visit Vanimo
or the border area without prior approval from the government.
The government's call follows reports that officials from two
foreign missions had visited OPM camps last week, facilitated by the
Catholic Diocese of Vanimo.
The church's secretary for peace and justice, Samsom Mesambe,
however denied any involvement, saying its visitors were human
rights groups from Australia and Indonesia. Mr Mesambe said a
four-member team (one woman and three men) of former judges from
Australia interviewed border crossers - not OPM rebels - at the
Transmitter Border Crossers Camp outside Vanimo last Thursday before
paying a courtesy visit on Governor Carlos Yuni on Friday morning.
The team, which also visited Kiunga, departed through Port Moresby.
Mr Mesambe said the other three-man team, known as the Institute of
Human Rights Study Advocacy from West Papua, was refused permission
by the border crossers, who suspected that they might be working as
undercover agents for the Indonesian government. Reports that an
American may have also visited the camps could not be verified
yesterday.
Source: The National web site, Port Moresby, in English 31 Jan 03
Post
Courier (PNG) 23/1/03
POLICEMEN
and soldiers deployed on border duties have yet to receive their
operational orders from superiors. With only seven days to go before
the deadline set for the Operassi Papua Merdeka (OPM) fighters to
move out of Papua New Guinean soil, PNG troops stationed in Vanimo
are still unsure of what they are supposed to do. A mobile squad
from Lae has been in Vanimo since troubles flared on the
border last month. There is also an army unit permanently stationed
in Vanimo consisting of about 100 men to carry out routine border
monitoring patrols.These men believe they would have to carry out
the exercise to force the rebels out of their camps if they did not
voluntarily leave by the January 29, deadline, which is next
Wednesday. But so far, they have not been given their operational
orders. They still have not got funding to support any operation
against OPM camps along the PNG/ Indonesia border as well as a
number of "refugee camps", where it is believed many of
the OPM members were residing. Sources from Vanimo who are part of
the deployment, said yesterday they were in a state of uncertainty.
"The boys are having a game of rugby out there on the field. We
are not doing any preparations because we have not got our
operational orders yet," onesource said.
He
said they were especially concerned after PNG Defence Force
Commander Brigadier-General Peter Ilau came out in the media with
the order for the rebels to clear out of PNG soil by January 29.
"Most of the refugee camps and known OPM camps are not easily
accessible by road, which means we have to use helicopters. And for
those accessible by road, we will need to find transport," the
source said. He also said Foreign Affairs officers would need
to be on site, as it would be their responsibility to decide what to
do with rebels who refuse to leave. "We need to know what the
modus operandi is when we find out that there are elements of OPM
who refuse to go. Do we arrest them and take them to court? Do we
deport them?" "These are questions that have to be dealt
with by Foreign Affairs, or must be stated in the operational
orders." Meanwhile, the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Vanimo
Cesare Bonivento has urged that any decisions on the future of the
West Papua border crossers must be based on "justice, love for
peace and respect for human rights". Bishop Bonivento called on
PNG citizens to pray for the PNG authoritiestasked with making the
decisions on the border crisis so that their decisions are good for
everyone.
"Any
decision that neglects these basic human values will not be helpful
to anybody and will be counterproductive like a boomerang, despite
the intentions and the expectations of those who put them in
place," he said. "Let us pray that our PNg authorities
will be able to protect the people living along the border and those
staying in Vanimo, giving them confidence, freedom of movement and
serenity."
The
National (PNG) 23/1/02
PAPUA
New Guineans living along the common border area have been assured
that there is no cause for alarm over possible invasion or
further military activities by the Indonesian troops inside PNG
soil. Internal Security Minister, Yawa Silupa gave the
assurance yesterday. "There is no need for the people to panic
because the two countries have a mechanism in place to contain and
diffuse any such situations through the Joint Border Agreement
between the two countries," he said. He pointed out that
Government officials on both sides are closely monitoring the
situation and keeping the two governments informed of activities at
the common border.
The
Minister also commended Police Commissioner, Sam Inguba for
personally going to the border area to assess the situation.
"This clearly demonstrates the Government's commitment to the
welfare and security of the people of this country," he said.
He added that the Government of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare
would do everything within its powers to protect its people
and the sovereignty of the country. He also noted that in the
wake of the current activities of the OPM separatists and the
Indonesian military, the Government has deployed a Mobile Squad from
Lae to beef up security operations on the PNG side of the border.
"The deployment of additional police mobile squad in the border
area will remain for some time," Mr Silupa said. He said the
security personnel will continue to provide security and monitor the
situation on both sides of the border. The Minister made it
clear that rebels seen to be violating the due process could be
dealt with accordingly under the laws of PNG. He also commended the
Foreign Affairs Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu for assuring the
Indonesian Ambassador in Port Moresby that PNG is taking steps to
prevent its territory from being used as a staging point by OPM
rebels to attack Indonesian Government installations.
THE
Minister for Internal Security, Yawa Silupa, has assured the people
of Papua New Guinea and especially those living near the border area
that they should not be concerned about any possible invasion or
further military activities by Indonesian troops inside PNG
territory. He said there is no need for panic because both countries
have a mechanism in place to contain and diffuse any such situation
through the Joint Border Agreement. Mr Silupa said that border
officials on both sides are closely monitoring the situation and
keeping both governments informed.
He
said he is pleased with the Police Commissioner, Sam Inguba, for
personally going to the border to assess the situation and see what
the ground personnel (police and defence forces) are doing. This
clearly demonstrates the national government's commitment to the
welfare and security of the people of this country, he said.
"The PNG government will do everything within its powers to
protect its people and its sovereignty," he said.
[
The PNG-Independent - January 23, 2003 - Issue 399 ]
http://www.niugini.com/independent/provnews2.html
MEMBERS
of the Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) have been issued notices
ordering them to dismantle camps in the Sandaun province and to move
out. This was revealed by Sandaun's acting provincial administrator
- Joeseph
Sungi
early this week.
Mr
Sungi said while the situation at the border remained calm, this was
the directive the provincial administration had been given by the
national government to administer.
He
said the directives were that the OPM members act before January 29,
or risk being dealt with by the law.
He
said provincial authorities had already begun issuing these notices
to those concerned in an orderly and peaceful manner and in making
these remarks he appealed to these people to cooperate with the
authorities. He said he estimated there to be less that 100 OPM
members who were involved in the border clashes and that they were
currently being housed at three different camps in the area.
Mr
Sungi said that police personnel, including a mobile squad from Lae,
were still monitoring the situation adding that while things had
quietened a little, villagers from Wutung who have gardens situated
six kilometres into the Indonesian territory have refrained from
carrying out their daily chores for fear of their lives.
"Villagers
from Wutung who have gardens on the other side of the border, as
permitted, have refrained from tending to their plots because even
though things may have quietened down a little, their safety isn't
guaranteed," he added.
Meanwhile,
recent reports are that the government intends to reactivate border
development operations to lessen risks of clashes between Indonesian
troops and OPM rebels.
Media
reports released early this week stated that Foreign Affairs
Minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, said that despite financial
constraints police and military presence at the border would be
stepped up however, he believed border development to be the
key to prevent such incidents. Sir Rabbie said PNG previously had
this going when he was previously the foreign minister and that
plans were underway to bring this back in the budget planning.
He
said he believed that this would help to strengthen PNG's presence
along the border
He
also highlighted that there were problems in handling the border
issue because both PNG and Indonesia had signed agreements in the
past which meant there were obligations and responsibilities to
uphold on both sides.
Port
Moresby, 23 January 2003, AMP Reporting,
Reports
coming out from Papua New Guinea Government 's attitude and decision
in regard to the Papuan refugees in Vanimo PNG are enough
indications for all of us to worry about immediate deportation of
Papuan people from PNG side of the New Guinea Island to its western
half.
Massive
operation against the Papuans will be carried out on 29 January
2003, i.e., just one day from now. The operation will start from
Vanimo and it is highly possible that it will spread into other
refugee camps across Papua New Guinea.
There
has been no consultation with the Papuan people as to whether or not
they are willing to return to West Papua. Their refuge to PNG was
due to fear of torture, rape, intimidation and death. They were not
in PNG now in pursuing a better life, but just to survive and live
as human beings, freely and peacefully.
Reaction
from Papuan refugees (about 3500 people) is:
-
They
request the UNHCR and International NGOs as well as Vanuatu,
Nauru, Fiji and New Zealand Governments to be their country of
destination rather than allowing themselves being killed after
returning by force to West Papua
Post
Courier (PNG) 23/1/03
POLICEMEN
and soldiers deployed on border duties have yet to receive their
operational orders from superiors. With only seven days to go before
the deadline set for the Operassi Papua Merdeka (OPM) fighters to
move out of Papua New Guinean soil, PNG troops stationed in Vanimo
are still unsure of what they are supposed to do. A mobile squad
from Lae has been in Vanimo since troubles flared on the
border last month. There is also an army unit permanently stationed
in Vanimo consisting of about 100 men to carry out routine
border monitoring patrols.These men believe they would have to carry
out the exercise to force the rebels out of their camps if they did
not voluntarily leave by the January 29, deadline, which is next
Wednesday. But so far, they have not been given their operational
orders. They still have not got funding to support any operation
against OPM camps along the PNG/Indonesia border as well as a number
of "refugee camps", where it is believed many of the OPM
members were residing. Sources from Vanimo who are part of the
deployment, said yesterday they were in a state of uncertainty.
"The boys are having a game of rugby out there on the field. We
are not doing any preparations because we have not got our
operational orders yet," onesource said.
He
said they were especially concerned after PNG Defence Force
Commander Brigadier-General Peter Ilau came out in the media with
the order for the rebels to clear out of PNG soil by January 29.
"Most of the refugee camps and known OPM camps are not easily
accessible by road, which means we have to use helicopters. And for
those accessible by road, we will need to find transport," the
source said. He also said Foreign Affairs officers would need to be
on site, as it would be their responsibility to decide what to do
with rebels who refuse to leave. "We need to know what the
modus operandi is when we find out that there are elements of OPM
who refuse to go. Do we arrest them and take them to court? Do we
deport them?" "These are questions that have to be dealt
with by Foreign Affairs, or must be stated in the operational
orders." Meanwhile, the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Vanimo
Cesare Bonivento has urged that any decisions on the future of the
West Papua border crossers must be based on "justice, love for
peace and respectfor human rights". Bishop Bonivento called on
PNG citizens to pray for the PNG authoritiestasked with making the
decisions on the border crisis so that their decisions are good for
everyone.
"Any
decision that neglects these basic human values will not be helpful
to anybody and will be counterproductive like a boomerang, despite
the intentions and the expectations of those who put them in
place," he said. "Let us pray that our PNg authorities
will be able to protect the people living along the border and those
staying in Vanimo, giving them confidence, freedom of movement and
serenity."
The
National (PNG) 23/1/02
PAPUA
New Guineans living along the common border area have been assured
that there is no cause for alarm over possible invasion or
further military activities by the Indonesian troops inside PNG
soil. Internal Security Minister, Yawa Silupa gave the
assurance yesterday. "There is no need for the people to panic
because the two countries have a mechanism in place to contain and
diffuse any such situations through the Joint Border Agreement
between the two countries," he said. He pointed out that
Government officials on both sides are closely monitoring the
situation and keeping the two governments informed of activities at
the common border.
The
Minister also commended Police Commissioner, Sam Inguba for
personally going to the border area to assess the situation.
"This clearly demonstrates the Government's commitment to the
welfare and security of the people of this country," he said.
He added that the Government of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare
would do everything within its powers to protect its people and the
sovereignty of the country. He also noted that in the wake of the
current activities of the OPM separatists and the Indonesian
military, the Government has deployed a Mobile Squad from Lae to
beef up security operations on the PNG side of the border.
"The deployment of additional police mobile squad in the border
area will remain for some time," Mr Silupa said. He said the
security personnel will continue to provide security and monitor the
situation on both sides of the border. The Minister made it
clear that rebels seen to be violating the due process would be
dealt with accordingly under the laws of PNG. He also commended the
Foreign Affairs Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu for assuring the
Indonesian Ambassador in Port Moresby that PNG is taking steps to
prevent its territory from being used as a staging point by OPM
rebels to attack Indonesian Government installations.
RNZI
NEWS, Created at 11:13 am on 23 January 2003
Papua
New Guinea's Catholic Church is hoping the UN's knowledge of why
Papuans fled Indonesia into Sandaun will protect them from being
repatriated during a possible crackdown by PNG authorities against
Free Papua or OPM rebels. The Secretary for Caritas, Samson
Mesambe, says the UN High Commissioner for Refugees is aware of the
bordercrossers plight and the PNG government would not want to
attract international criticism by deporting them.Mr Mesambe says
bordercrossers, who fled Indonesia three years ago because of
increasing violence, fear that they will be mistakenly identified by
PNG Police as OPM rebels. The Somare Government gave OPM rebels,
accused of launching anti-Jakarta attacks from PNG, until January 31
to go back to Indonesia or face deportation. Mr Mesambe says
the UN's knowledge of the Papuans in PNG maybe the only thing
protecting the bordercrossers from being deported to Indonesia.
"We
have advised them not to be frightened because the case has been
brought to the UN and the government can't do anything at the
moment. ....Although this fear is still among them, and they have
been frustrated, we have advised them not to worry to much about
this."Samson Mesambe, PNG's Caritas
Jan.
22, 2003, By Anna Peltola, Malmo, Sweden,
A
Christian rebel group in Indonesia accused Jakarta on Wednesday of
helping Islamic militants set up bases in the country's
resource-rich Papua province.
The
Free Papua Organisation has waged a protracted, low-level guerrilla
war for independence in remote Papua, one of several trouble spots
in the world's most populous Muslim country.
The
group's spokesman said the Indonesian military had armed and funded
Islamic groups such as Laskar Jihad in the largely Christian
province, which has oil reserves and the world's biggest gold and
copper mine, owned by U.S.-based Freeport-McMoran Copper and Gold
Inc.
''Now
there are a lot of terrorist bases in Papua. We're Christian people,
we're not Muslims, so everyone understands that it's not our
doing,'' Joseph Prai told Reuters in an interview.
''There
is Laskar Jihad and Satgas Merah Putih,'' he said.
Laskar
Jihad was Indonesia's best known militant Muslim group until it was
disbanded soon after the bombings on Bali in October. The group sent
several thousand fighters to the Moluccas islands in mid-2000,
adding to Christian-Muslim tension there.
''After
the Bali bombing... they (Laskar Jihad) transported 2,000 forces to
West Papua from Aceh,'' Prai said, referring to Indonesia's
westernmost province, on Sumatra island, where Muslim rebels have
been seeking a separate state for years.
Satgas
Merah Putih, or the ''red and white task force,'' is a less well
known group supporting Jakarta. ''Red and white'' is a reference to
the Indonesian flag and is nationalist rallying cry.
Prai
said this information was based mainly on evidence collected by
Elsham, Papua's most prominent human rights group.
''We're
still finding hard evidence. But we know they exist there because
there have been OPM members who have been fighting against Laskar
Jihad forces.''
''They
(Jakarta) know there are terrorists in the country... The Indonesian
army knows this and they take advantage of this. They (the
militants) were funded in the beginning by the Indonesian army and
armed by them.''
There
was no immediate reaction from Jakarta, which initially drew
criticism for being less visibly active in the U.S.-led war on
terrorism than other countries in the region.
Prai's
father, rebel leader Jakob Prai, has directed the guerrilla war for
more than 20 years from exile in Sweden but his son is gradually
taking over responsibility.
Real
Situation
Since
the attacks on the resort island of Bali that killed at least 193
people, Indonesia has put anti-terrorism regulations into force and
made scores of arrests, many of people with a militant Islamic
background.
Prai
said the West would be sympathetic to his group's demands if it knew
the real situation in Papua, Indonesia's easternmost province that
was formerly known as Irian Jaya.
No
country officially supports the Papuan separatists but many in the
West have criticised Indonesia's heavy-handed approach to the
conflict. In December, Jakarta warned Western nations against any
support for the Papuans.
The
guerrillas operate mainly in the remote highlands of the
rainforest-covered region and do not have modern weapons.
The
province was incorporated into Indonesia in 1963 and Papuans voted
for Indonesian rule six years later in a U.N. plebiscite that was
widely criticised as unfair.
Indonesia
recently granted Papuans special autonomy but Prai said his group
wanted the United Nations to take up their case again.
''We
have to let the people decide who should lead the country, let them
vote. Our main strategy now is just independence for West Papua,''
he said.
The
tiny Pacific island nation Vanuatu may take up the Papuans case with
the United Nations, Prai said. The rebels plan to open an office in
Vanuatu next May, which could make it the first country to have
links with the Free Papua
Organisation.
Radio
New Zealand International , 22 January 2003 , via Kabar-Irian News
Papua
New Guinea's Catholic Church is hoping the UN's knowledge of why
Papuans fled Indonesia into Sandaun will protect them from being
repatriated during a possible crackdown by PNG authorities against
Free Papua or OPM rebels.
The
Secretary for Caritas, Samson Mesambe, says the UN High Commissioner
for Refugees is aware of the bordercrossers plight and the PNG
government would not want to attract international criticism by
deporting them.
Mr
Mesambe says bordercrossers, who fled Indonesia three years ago
because of increasing violence, fear that they will be mistakenly
identified by PNG Police as OPM rebels.
The
Somare Government gave OPM rebels, accused of launching anti-Jakarta
attacks from PNG, until January 31 to go back to Indonesia or face
deportation.
Mr
Mesambe says the UN's knowledge of the Papuans in PNG maybe the only
thing protecting the bordercrossers from being deported to
Indonesia.
"We
have advised them not to be frightened because the case has been
brought to the UN and the government can't do anything at the
moment. ....Although this fear is still among them, and they have
been frustrated, we have advised them not to worry to much about
this." --Samson Mesambe, PNG's Caritas.
Radio
New Zealand International , 21 January 2003, via Kabar-Irian News
The
Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea says Papuan border crossers in
the country fear being forcibly sent back to Indonesia during a
possible crackdown on OPM or Free Papua rebels by PNG police.
Samson
Mesambe, the Secretary for Caritas, says the PNG government's
ultimatum and threats of a rebel crackdown will jeopardise the
safety of bordercrossers in the church's Vanimo camp.
The
Somare government gave an ultimatum to the OPM rebels accused of
launching anti-Jakarta attacks from PNG in December, to go back to
Indonesia by January 31st or face deportation.
Mr
Mesambe says the bordercrossers who fled into PNG during an
escalation of violence there three years ago do not want to be
associated with the OPM rebels.
He
says bordercrossers are worried that PNG police may mistakenly
identify them as rebels because OPM fighters could hide in the
church camp during a crackdown.
"This
feeling of fear is very big because they'refrightened because the
government might forcibly send them back. Rebels who want into come
into this camp that the Diocese is looking after then the
authorities can go in and bring them into the hands of the law.
"-- Samson Mesambe from PNG Caritas.
The
Papua bordercrossers have applied for refugee status which the PNG
government has refused to grant.
Laksamana.net,
January 20, 2003
The
main border crossings between the Indonesian province of Papua and
neighboring Papua New Guinea (PNG) have been shut down following
Indonesian military operations against Papuan separatist rebels.
Thousands of troops have been moved into the border area to flush
out OPM elements, and there are reports refugee security is being
threatened.
An
intensive military operation against the OPM, who want to break away
from Indonesian control, has been underway in the province for over
a year but has been racked up in the past few weeks. Christian
leaders report that civilians living along the border are getting
caught up in the hostilities.
Armed
rebel activities in Papua have generally been associated with the
OPM who, since first being established in the mid-1960s, has waged
low-intensity guerrilla warfare against Indonesian security forces.
Their limited numbers and a loose chain of command have caused a
lack of coordination in their activities and frequent attacks have
usually served only to attract attention to their plight.
Indonesia
has now called for an extradition treaty with PNG so separatists
escaping over the border can be handed back to Indonesian
authorities. This may be a prelude to a much tougher crackdown on
the rebels.
Army
Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ryamizard Ryacud, when he was Army Strategic
Reserve
Command (Kostrad) chief, said last March on Kostrad's 41st
anniversary "there is no other choice. Separatist movements
must beeradicated".
The
existence of a credible threat in the province would clearly be
justifiable grounds for a continued troop presence.
Samson
Mesambe, an aid worker for the Catholic Church on the PNG side of
the border, told ABC News Wednesday (15/1/03) that PNG has two units
of mobile squad police and a platoon of soldiers permanently manning
the border because of the fighting between OPM separatist rebels and
the Indonesian army.
There
are certain to be financial constraints on Port Moresby but PNG is
likely to commit more resources to protect its territorial integrity
and attempt to get Indonesia to stop violating PNG airspace by
sending helicopters in pursuit of fleeing rebels.
John
Ondewami, a spokesman for the OPM, told the interviewer that the
fighting along the border is part of an Indonesian campaign to wipe
out the OPM. Ondemawi says Indonesia believes the OPM is using the
area as its main base to run a political and military campaign
against the Indonesian government.
Ondewami
says there has been a tougher line from Indonesia since the election
of the new PNG government led by Sir Michael Somare, who wants to
close down Papuan refugee camps, which have been providing
protection along the border since 1969.
The
Catholic Bishop of the PNG border town diocese of Vanimo has issued
a statement saying he believes the security of Papuan refugees in
PNG is under threat.
FOREIGN
Affairs Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu and the Indonesian Ambassador
John Djopari, have discussed the current situation on the common
border and the need to work together to reduce tension. photo.
Foreign Affairs Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu and Indonesian
Ambassador John Djopari are flanked by Indonesian Embassy Minister
Counselor Benson Rea, left, and Foreign Affairs Secretary Evoa
Lalatua after Mr Djopari, second right, met with Sir Rabbie for the
first time on Monday.
Sir
Rabbie said this yesterday after meeting for the first time with
Djopari in Port Moresby on Monday. "I assured the ambassador
that PNG is taking steps to prevent its territory being used as
staging points by OPM rebels to attack Indonesian Government
installation, personnel and citizens," said Sir Rabbie. Sir
Rabbie told the Indonesian envoy that the number of PNG police and
military personnel patrolling the border in West Sepik province is
being increased to deter rebel activity. "Border officials from
both sides are closely monitoring the situation and keeping our two
governments informed of activities at the common border."
Sir
Rabbie also said he met with the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Dr
Hassan Wirayuda in New York and Mexico last year and both men agreed
that they should give more attention to promoting trade and economic
cooperation between the two countries. "In this regard,
Ambassador Djopari and I agreed to actively pursue the appropriate
areas to increase trade, economic and other cooperation.” These
include direct air and shipping services with Indonesia, Ministerial
exchanges in education and agriculture, and academic
exchanges," said Sir Rabbie. "We also discussed the timing
of the proposed visit to PNG by the Indonesian Foreign Minister,
which will serve as an ideal opportunity to sign the revised
PNG/Indonesia Basic Border Agreement." http://www.thenational.com.pg/0108/nation12.htm
INDONESIA
has officially denied a build-up of troops on the border it shares
with Papua New Guinea. An Indonesian Embassy spokesman in Port
Moresby told The National yesterday, media reports of some 1,500
troops being mobilised on the border was totally untrue. The
spokesman said such irresponsible journalism only creates
unnecessary anxiety, especially for people living along the border,
as well as the two governments. "We have and will always
continue to maintain good relations with the Papua New Guinea
Government, including sharing information on the border, covering
bilateral or military issues and there's no such build-up of troops
on our side of the border," said the spokesman. "We have
always maintained 100 or less troops on the border since its opening
and that is the number we have there at present.''
The
spokesman said the border is an ongoing issue for discussion between
PNG and Indonesia during the border talks every year and this year
would be no different. He said Indonesia understands the importance
of maintaining a level of mutual respect, corporation and
understanding with its neighbour and that will be continued for a
long time yet. He said the situation on the border was quite normal
but disturbances by the OPM rebels have affected locals on both
sides of the border.
Radio
australiaJanuary 17, 2003
PORT
MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (Radio Australia, Jan. 17) - The Bishop of
the Papua New Guinea border region of Vanimo says security of Papuan
refugees is under threat because of escalating military tensions
between Indonesian troops and Free Papua rebels along the PNG
border. Bishop Cesare Bonivento has released a statement saying
relations between PNG and Indonesia are also at risk because of the
hostilities taking place on the Indonesian side of the border. All
main border crossings between the two neighbours are presently
closed because of an Indonesian military operation against the Papua
rebels.
Samson
Mesambe an aid worker for the Catholic Church in Vanimo says Papuan
refugees are being affected by the border tension. "Now at the
moment these border crossers that we are looking after are living in
fear
By
DAVID TERRY
PAPUA
New Guinea will not allow the OPM separatists to use its soil to
wage attacks on Indonesian interests, Police Commissioner Sam Inguba
has asserted.
Mr
Inguba made these remarks in the wake of recent exchanges of gunfire
between OPM operatives and Indonesian soldiers, which prompted the
Indonesian military to increase its activities along the border
separating the two countries. Since the December skirmish, there has
been a reported build-up of Indonesian troops along the common
border and PNG has also dispatched police and soldiers to monitor
the situation. Soldiers and policemen at the border post told Mr
Inguba that Indonesian forces were deployed along the border from
Wutung to Skotiau to track down OPM rebels. An OPM fugitive was
wounded by gunfire on Dec 16 and two women suffered bullet wounds at
Wutung when they were attacked by unknown gunmen on Dec 28.
Mr
Inguba said the actions of the OPM would impose great risks on the
lives of innocent Papua New Guineans living along the border.
Because of this, he said, the PNG Government would do everything
within its powers to protect the sovereignty of PNG. Government
authorities in Vanimo have warned PNG citizens not to venture out
into areas close to the border as they fear innocent citizens may be
caught in the crossfire. Mr Inguba this week traveled to Wutung
border post to assess th ejoint Police and Defence Force operation.
He said PNG troops now deployed along the border would carry out
awareness campaigns in efforts to dissuade supporters of the OPM
from using PNG soil to attack Indonesian interests. He said PNG
would not tolerate OPM activists who seek refuge in PNG adding that
those who violate the laws of PNG would be dealt with accordingly.
He
said PNG citizens are living in fear of repercussions from the
Indonesian military, however, the combined detachment of police and
Defence soldiers will remain there for another three weeks as
arrangement are made for fresh troops to relieve them. Mr Inguba
said PNG would continue to respect the joint border agreement by the
two countries, and warned that PNG authorities would not tolerate
any illegal activities on the PNG side of the border. A police
mobile squad from Lae has been dispatched to Vanimo to monitor the
situation while the PNGDF maintains its normal deployment.
Radio
Australia, January 16, 2003, -transcript-
The
main border crossings between the Indonesian province of Papua and
PNG have been shut down because of an Indonesian military operation
against Papuan separatist rebels. Thousands of Indonesian troops
have been moved into the border area to flush out the OPM, which is
the Free West Papua guerilla army. Christian leaders say civilians
living along the border are getting caught up in the hostilities.
Presenter/Interviewer:
Tricia Fitzgerald
Speakers:
Samson Mesambe, PNG Caritas aid worker; John Ondewami, OPM
spokesman; Carlos Yuni, Governor of PNG's Sandaun Province
FITZGERALD:
An intensive military operation against Papuans who want to break
away from Indonesian control has been underway in the province
formerly known as Irian Jaya for over a year.
But
this month the focus of the operation has intensified along the
Indonesian-PNG border turning the area into a volatile and dangerous
no mans' land.
Samson
Mesambe, an aid worker for the Catholic Church on the PNG side of
the border says there's been incursions by Indonesian troops onto
PNG soil during the recent fighting.
MESAMBE:
I see that military buildup on the other side of the border, the
Indonesian border compared to our side of the border, we've got the
two units of mobile squad police and platoon of PNG soldiers manning
the border at the moment because this latest fighting's between the
OPM rebels than the Indonesian army.
FITZGERALD:
So far, other border crossings remain open or it's not possible for
people to cross into PNG as they have in the past?
MESAMBE:
So far I think since these troubles started this traditional border
crossing where these villagers used to go to Jayapura. That's closed
for indefinite period, which we don't know when it will be open
again. And the road is closed. At the moment, crosses (sic) not only
the villagers but
those
travelling for tourist or business persons, are not allowed to use
the road because that's where the fighting is taking place and it's
only possible by, travel only by boat, only by boat.
FITZGERALD:
John Ondewami is a spokesperson for the Free Papua OPM rebels. He
says fighting along the border is part of an Indonesian campaign to
wipe out the OPM.
ONDEWAMI:
The Indonesians believe that the OPM are using this area as their
main base to run a political and military campaign against the
Indonesian government. Therefore the Indonesian government puts
pressure on Somare government in Papua New Guinea in order to crush
the OPM and its
activities.
FITZGERALD:
Indonesia has called for an extradition treaty with neighbouring PNG
so separatists escaping over the border can be handed back to
Indonesian authorities. Mr Ondewami claims although PNG hasn't yet
agreed to the treaty, there's been a hardening of attitude towards
the Papuan cause since the election of the new PNG government led by
Sir Michael Somare.
He
says Somare's government wants to close down Papuan refugee camps,
which have been providing protection along the border since 1969.
ONDEWAMI:
I think Somare has been friendly with Indonesian politics,
Indonesian government and pursued this joint cooperation against the
West Papuans. It's not surprising if and when (sic) Somare now come
back again to the power he continues the old Papuan policy against
the people of West Papua who seek protections in Papua New Guinea.
So it's a huge setback for the whole West Papuan refugees in Papua
New Guinea, and I assume that as a consequence of that, many West
Papuans will be deported forcibly from Papua New Guinea, especially
those now living in Vanimo area; also in the Jaku and Vutong areas,
to West Papua.
FITZGERALD:
The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister hasn't yet commented on
Indonesia's border offensive but his Foreign Minister says PNG is in
communication with Jakarta over the issue.
Carlos
Yuni, the Governor of the PNG northern border province of Sandaun
admits he wants all Papuan refugee camps removed from Papua New
Guinea soil.
YUNI:
Refugee camps in Vanimo must be removed because there is in there
some of the trouble makers are using our Papua New Guinea side of
the border to engage in illegal activities along the border.
FITZGERALD:
The Catholic Bishop of the PNG border town of Vanimo has issued a
statement saying he believes the security of Papuan refugees in PNG
is under threat. Samson Mesambe who works with the refugee border
crossers for the church agrees.
MESAMBE:
Now at the moment these border crossers that we are looking after
are living in fear because of these latest developments on this
border crisis are going on.
Border
tense PAPUA New Guinea military and police on the PNG-Indonesia
border want their manpower beefed up to counter possible incursions
by Indonesian soldiers.
Highly
placed security force members (police/soldiers) said yesterday they
had been intimidated on several occasions, but had refrained from
retaliating because of their inadequate presence at the border.
The
sources said at the border that an Indonesian military helicopter
had flown into PNG airspace twice while in pursuit of OPM rebels on
December 17 after the bloody ambush of an Indonesian patrol.
“At
once stage, a Cessna plane flew over into our space. This is very
intimidating but we can’t do much. Yes, obviously we need more
manpower presence here,” the military source said. A police source
agreed.
The
pair said Indonesian troops at one stage had fired shots into the
air into the PNG side of the border. “This is very
intimidating,” the source said. “Obviously, there has been a
build up of military on the other side, but we don’t know how
many,” the sources said.
A
Wutung village councillor Patrick Muliale yesterday confirmed the
incursions, adding Wutung’s security was at stake. Wutung is just
100 metres from the border. “The biggest fear I have is that
Wutung villagers will be the first victims and that we will be
caught in the middle if anything happens,” he said.
He
said the villagers had not visited their gardens, which had been
destroyed by wild pigs. Mr Muliale said the OPM rebels also had
destroyed their food gardens but they could not do much because they
were scared of rebel retaliation.
Police
Commissioner Sam Inguba visited the border yesterday and had been
fully briefed on the situation, including the recent incursions by
Indonesian soldiers.
Mr
Inguba, after visiting the border, said the situation was tense on
both sides, adding the main worry raised by border officials during
meetings he had had in Vanimo was the use of PNG soil by OPM rebels.
He confirmed the recent clashes between the OPM rebels and
Indonesian security forces and the reported incursions, but
refrained from discussing the issue until he briefs the National
Executive Council next week.
Mr
Inguba said the Lae-based mobile squad currently deployed to the
border would continue to remain on the scene for another three weeks
until he gives further orders. He re-affirmed a previous NEC
decision and the position of the PNG Government that PNG would not
entertain OPM fighters using PNG soil to launch attacks on the
Indonesian army. He also issued a stern warning to OPM separatists
to stay clear of the PNG border and hinted that refugee camps could
be removed if similar attacks continued to affect PNG citizens on
the border.
Mr
Inguba said the PNG Government would do everything within its powers
to protect the sovereignty of Papua New Guinea. He said the National
Government would continue to respect the joint border agreements
concurred by the two countries and police would not tolerate OPM
rebels that seek refuge in PNG and violate its laws.
Papuan
leaders want talks with PNG government over border clashes
Meanwhile.....
Papua leaders concerned about the reported border clashes are
calling for dialogue with the PNG government. Franz Albert Joku from
the Papua Presidium Council says that they want to share with the
Somare government information which will dispute claims that the OPM
was behind the recent attacks.
He
says that if the Somare government sends Papuans back across the
border, innocent Papuans living peacefully in PNG will be affected.
“ We have no problem in PNG, cooperating with Indonesia, ... but
we don't want them sacrificing West Papuans simply because of
ignorance about what is actually happening on the ground.....our
information suggests, that the Indonesian military, has been
training Papuan militia groups, who are now being used along the
border, posing as OPM.” Franz Albert Joku of the Papua
Presidium Council.
RNZI
NEWS Created at 4:29 pm on 08 January 2003
The
Papua New Guinea Government has issued a directive against Papuan
separatist rebels in the country saying that it wants them to go
back to Indonesia.
Joe
Sungi, the Administrator of PNG’s border province of Sandaun says
Free Papua or OPM rebels will be given an ultimatum to go back to
Indonesia within three weeks or face deportation. Mr Sungi says the
government directive was issued during a meeting with provincial and
border officials, police, and National Security Council members
yesterday.
Earlier,
the Somare government received internal criticism for its lack of
policy regarding Papuans in Sandaun while Jakarta accused it of
harbouring OPM rebels who allegedly ambushed Indonesian troops from
PNG on New Year’s Day.
Mr
Sungi says Papuans in camps on the PNG side of the border are warned
that action will be taken against them if they do not voluntarily go
back to Indonesia. Joe Sungi says that the government will provide
funds to finance logistical support for police and defence force
soldiers patrolling the border. He says also that 2000 Indonesian
troops are expected to guard the entire length of its side of the
border.
The
Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The
government has announced a plan to restrict foreign researchers'
access to conduct field work in Papua and Aceh, saying that many
came with intentions other than academic goals that could amount to
an interference in Indonesia's domestic affairs.
Minister
of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda specifically named researchers
from the Netherlands and Australia who are planning to conduct
studies in the two troubled Indonesian provinces. Critics have said
the government's stance on researchers reflect its own lack of
confidence in regards its own position in Papua and Aceh, where
clandestine wars for independence had been going on for years.
Hassan
acknowledged that the government was not in any position to reject
foreign researchers from coming to the country because of the
existing visa-free facility granted to visitors from Western
countries, including the Netherlands and Australia. "The
problem is that the short visit visa-free facility given to tourists
is often abused by researchers," he told reporters after
meeting with President Megawati Soekarnoputri.
He
said, however, that the visa facility could be restricted for visits
to Aceh and Papua, without elaborating further. Currently, visas
granted upon arrival is good for visiting any part of the
archipelago. An Australian-based researcher and an American nurse
were convicted last week for violating visa regulations when they
visited Aceh last year and wandered into separatist territory.
Hassan said the government would be monitoring any suspicious
activities by the Dutch and Australian researchers, who are
reportedly planning to visit Papua. He said these research studies
could be part of a plot to "internationalize" Papua's
independence issue, an independence that is being sought by some
people in the province.
He
noted that the Dutch parliament has urged its government to conduct
research into the process by which Papua, once a Dutch colony,
became part of the Indonesian republic in the 1960s. Such a research
topic could not be for purely academic purposes, he insisted.
"Why now, and not 10 years ago?" he asked. He feared that
the researchers would look at the question of the act of
self-determination in Papua in the 1960s only partially instead of
wholly. The minister also noted that the planned research ran
parallel to demands for a revision of the history of Papua's
integration with Indonesia by the Papuan Presidium Council, the
group which is openly demanding for an independent state.
Besides
this research commissioned by the Dutch parliament, a number of
Dutch non-governmental organizations and Australian researchers had
also been trying to enter Papua to conduct their own research, he
said.
BBC
Monitoring International Reports January 8, 2003 , Source: Media
Indonesia, Jakarta, in Indonesian
Surabaya
(Media Indonesia): In the midst of a heated situation following the
recent shooting of civilians, about 4,000 TNI Indonesian National
Military Forces personnel from the navy, air force and army were
mobilized to Papua Irian Jaya as part of their 2003 amphibious
operations programme. The troops were sent off yesterday (7 January)
by the navy's Eastern Fleet commander, Rear Admiral I Wayan Rampe,
from the Ujung Docks in Surabaya.
Also
present were East Java Police Chief Inspector-General Heru Susanto
and V/Brawiaya Military Area Commander Major-General Sikky. Apart
from the 4,000 personnel, the exercise was also being supported by
navy, air force and army hardware assets.
Eastern
Fleet provided 21 warships, two CN/Casa aircraft, two N-22/Nomad
aircraft, two Bell and one Bolkow helicopters, with the air force
providing four aircraft. Rear Admiral Rampe told reporters after the
parade that the departure of these personnel to Papua was a training
exercise and had nothing to do with incidents involving the shooting
of civilians. "This is purely an exercise to improve the
professionalism of our soldiers. It has nothing to do with
conditions in Papua. Anyway, conditions in Papua are extremely
conducive and that is why we are training there"...
The
rear admiral continued to explain that up until now, exercises had
only been conducted in Ambon, Sulawesi and Sumatra, mostly in the
Java Sea and very seldom in Papua. They not specified, presumably
the Papuan people complained to TNI that combat exercises were
always conducted outside Papua and the Papuan community expected
exercises to be conducted in the waters around Papua. So, he said,
the Papuan governor and other public figures had requested that an
exercise be carried out in Papua so that the soldiers would gain
plenty of experience. "So this exercise has the stamp of
approval from the Papuan governor and other community leaders and in
fact we have invited the public to observe the progress of the
exercise," he said.
Rampe
denied that the exercise was a TNI "show of force"... The
exercise would be spread across 3,000 kilometres of water, something
that has never been done by TNI personnel. "There will be no
landings, it will all be carried out at sea," he said. The
Eastern Fleet Commander also gave instructions that if any foreign
fishing boats were stopped and did not have the appropriate
documentation, then they were to be sunk. This was the case a short
time ago when a passing vessel from New Zealand was almost bombed.
RNZI
NEWS Created at 6:20 pm on 07 January 2003
Papua
New Guinea’s police commissioner has been sent to the border
province of Sandaun to investigate whether or not Papuan separatist
rebels have been launching attacks against Indonesia from PNG.
Tarcy
Eri, the Foreign Ministry’s Deputy Secretary says the
Commissioner, Sam Inguba, will investigate security breaches along
the border by OPM, or Free Papua, rebels and Jakarta troops.
Mr
Eri’s comments come after Indonesia accused PNG of harbouring OPM
rebels in the border town of Wutung. Jakarta also accused OPM rebels
of recent attacks on a delegation of Papuan government officials and
troops as well as shooting and wounding several members of the
family of a prominent human rights activist.
Yesterday,
PNG’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu censur
Jakarta’s Ambassador to PNG over reports of Indonesian troops
crossing the border and randomly shooting local citizens. Mr Eri
says the Somare government will not tolerate OPM rebels using PNG
soil to launch attacks against Indonesian. “The police
commissioner is on the border now.... to determine whether these
people have been actually operating from our side. We will get our
security people to go ask them, and get them to go back to their
side and do what ever they want to do with their own people.....We
will not allow them to use our soil, to mount operations against the
Indonesian army. If they want to take on the might of the Indonesian
Army, then they should do it on the other side.” Tarcy Eri,
PNG’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Agence
France Presse January 6, 2003
JAKARTA,
A joint police and military inquiry into an ambush in Papua province
in which two American teachers were killed has found no evidence so
far that Indonesian soldiers were involved, the top security
minister said Monday. "The investigation into the shooting of
the Freeport employees on August 31 has yet to find the
perpetrators. Secondly, charges of involvement by rogue members of
the military have been investigated and evidence has not yet been
found," Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said after a cabinet meeting.
He
said he was briefed Sunday on progress in the investigation. The
investigation team had been instructed to continue work "until
the perpetrators are found." "There are three
possibilities. First it could have been carried out by OPM
(separatist rebel Free Papua Movement); second, by rogue military;
or a third party which is neither OPM nor the military and could be
from inside Freeport," the minister said. Gunmen opened fire on
buses near the US-owned Freeport gold and copper mine on August 31,
killing two US teachers and an Indonesian colleague and injuring 18
others. Papua deputy police chief Brigadier General Raziman Tarigan
has said Kopassus special forces soldiers were suspected of having
carried out the attack. Reports of military involvement in the
attack could seriously undermine US and Australian efforts to resume
full military ties with Indonesia, restricted since 1999 because of
the military-backed violence in East Timor.
US
President George W. Bush has called for a Bali-style joint
investigation into the ambush, an Australian newspaper, The Age,
reported last month. Yudhoyono said the government was ready to
brief Washington on the progress of the probe. "If the US
government asks about this because two of its citizens are among the
victims, we will brief them on the results from the team of
investigations and tell them that we will continue the
investigation," Yudyoyono said.
The
Sydney Morning Herald reported in November that US intelligence
agencies had intercepted messages between Indonesian army commanders
indicating they were involved in staging the ambush. It quoted a
source as saying the motive was to pressure Freeport to continue an
annual protection payment of more than 10 million dollars to the
army command responsible for Papua
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