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1) West Papuans want international help

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1) West Papuans want international help
2) Comments on Lowly Institute blog "The interpreter" in response to article on MSG & West Papua

3) PUBLIC MINING SITES NOT FOR MINING COMPANIES

4) FORKORUS YABOISEMBUT WILL BE RELEASED SOON

5) PRESIDENT ISSUES PERMIT TO DISCUSS BILL ON SPECIAL AUTONOMY


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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/249992/west-papuans-want-international-help

1) West Papuans want international help

Updated at 7:34 pm on 17 July 2014



The organisation called the Federal Republic of West Papua says it supports new moves to form a united West Papuan application for membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
This comes as a statement from the imprisoned President of the organisation identifying itself as the government of the Federal Republic has extended an offer to Jakarta for negotiation over the future of Papua region.
Forkorus Yaboisembut and other members of his administration have been in jail since the Third Papuan People's Congress in October 2011 when they were elected.
A spokesman for the administration, Jack Wanggai, says Mr Yaboisembut is expected to be released soon.
He says the administration wants the international community to help address ongoing abuses by Indonesian security forces in its region.
"South Pacific (Forum) or Melanesian Spearhead Group must make, facilitate the peace dialogue to finish the problem in West Papua."
Jack Wanggai
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2) Comments on Lowly Institute blog "The interpreter" in response to article "MSG manoeuvres: What next for West Papua?"
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  • There was little coverage in the mainstream media of the fact that the West Papuan people responded to the call of civil society groups to boycott the presidential election. http://suarapapua.com/read/201...
    Up to 80% of West Papuans did support the boycott. http://www.radionz.co.nz/inter...
    Leading up to the election graffiti on walls calling for a boycott were painted over by the security forces and up to
    13 members of the KNPB were arrested and beaten for distributing leaflets calling for a boycott.
    The lesson for the Australia Government in all this is that the issue of West Papua is not going away. Instead of the
    usual mantra of, “we recognise Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua”, DFAT should be encouraging Jakarta to dialogue with West Papuan representatives as is the MSG. http://www.radionz.co.nz/inter...
    As the July issue of Islands Business magazine noted. West Papua has never had this much regional support. Churches and human rights organisations have tried for years to keep the issue alive.
    Now, as Fiji prepares for elections, at least one political party has decided to enter the fray and challenge Indonesia’s occupation of the Melanesian land.http://www.islandsbusiness.com...
    Joe Collins
    Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)




      • The curious thing is that Vanuatu has not yet faxed an agenda item for the UN Trusteeship Council to consider the issue of trusteeship and General Assembly resolution 1752. Could this be a sign that Vanuatu does not really support the goal of a free West Papua?
        Tess, you have a degree in law and interest in West Papua and foreign relations; so what is your opinion whether West Papua may be an United Nations trust territory? And would there be any disadvantage if the Trusteeship Council asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for its opinion?
        Here is a link to an explanation of the American plan,
        http://history.state.gov/histo...
        And here is a link to the United Nations resolution 1752 that appears to satisfy the requirements of article 85 and Chapter 12 of the UN Charter;
        http://www.un.org/documents/ga...
        un.org/en/documents/charter/ch...

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      3) PUBLIC MINING SITES NOT FOR MINING COMPANIES


      Jayapura, 16/7 (Jubi) – Public mining sites in Papua are reserved for local communities and not to be used by private companies, said Fred Boray, the Secretary of Department of Mining and Energy in Papua.
      “For example, public mining site at Degeuwo, Paniai Regency. We have asked the Regent to withdraw the existing mining permits, because the site is reserved for the local community, not private companies. Currently there are 42 mining companies operating in Degeuwo, but only six have permits,” Boray said on Wednesday (16/7).
      He said the mining companies are frequently conducting illegal mining in Nabire, Paniai, Intan Jaya and Deiyai regencies though the mining sites within these areas are set for local communities. He added people should be aware Papuans have limited assets to do the mining with modern equipment; therefore the government should made a concrete solution for the local community.
      “We had the governor’s instruction to put them in control. That’s also have been planned since the last governor’s administration. We will write a letter to the local government who arbitrary issue the mining permit,” he said.
      In one occasion, the Governor Lukas Enembe stated he would withdraw the permit issued by two former Governors in Charge for approximately 60 companies related to forest management, mining and plantation.
      “During the time, it’s about 60 companies of forest management, mining and plantation got the new permit to work in Papua. And finally they dominated all natural resources including land and forest. This mechanism should be regulated for avoiding the monopoly by one group or one company,” Enembe said at that time.(Jubi/Arjuna/rom)

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      4) FORKORUS YABOISEMBUT WILL BE RELEASED SOON


      Jayapura, 15/7 (Jubi) – Police Chief of Federal Republic of West Papua (NFRPB) asked all components of Papuan community to respect the great Papuan leader, Forkorus Yoboisembut and colleagues who would be released from the Abepura Prison on next Monday (21/7).
      “I asked to both supporters and Non-Papuan community to participate in securing the situation on the day of liberation of the great Papuan leader,” the Police Chief Elias Ayakiding said in the press conference held in the Papuan Customary Secretariat Office in Waena Jayapura on Tuesday (15/7).
      As requested by the President of NFRPB, he further asked people for not carrying weapons or Morning Star flag, but allowed to wear the traditional costume, playing the traditional music instrument ‘suling tambur’ or dancing the traditional dances.
      “Seven leaders of seven customary areas would also welcome and accompany the President Yoboisembut to his resident in Sabron, Sentani Timur,” said Ayakiding. He also asked the Indonesian Police/Miltary to respect and help the NFRPB Police that it would be run smoothly as expected by all parties. (Jubi/Aprila/rom)
      (Visited 21 time, 19 visit today)

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      5) PRESIDENT ISSUES PERMIT TO DISCUSS BILL ON SPECIAL AUTONOMY


      Jayapura, 16/7 (Jubi) – A presidential advisor on regional autonomy, Velix Wanggai, said President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) has issued a letter that could pave the way for passage of  the Government Special Autonomy Bill.
      “The President has issued the permit to Parliament and is currently run by the Home Ministry” Felix Wanggai told reporters in Jayapura, Papua on Wednesday (16/7).
      The bill will soon be discussed by the House of Representatives.
      “Because it was not included in the 2014 National Legislation Program, the President issued a permit ” he said.
      According to him, currently the Ministry of the Interior has conducted inter-ministerial meetings and had been run for over a month to discuss the draft of the 14th of Papua and West Papua on January 28, 2014.
      The Home Ministry was a facilitator and the bill has been incorporated to the ministry and is currently being taken by the Minister of Internal Affairs Ministry of Justice and Human Rights to do the level of harmonization and synchronization.
      “We hope that in three weeks there would be harmonization at the level of the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. After that in early August it would be entered in the trial period of the Parliament to be discussed, “he said.
      He added that the president will end his term in October and is taking full attention to the bill.
      “President Yudhoyono hopes there would be a new foundation for Papua in the context of accelerated development, of institutional strengthening in Papua and political reconciliation in Papua, public participation in government and other Papuan development sectors, ” he said.
      Earlier, chairman of tWest Papua People’s Assembly, David Meisiro said, the Draft Law has long been thought by both the Governor of Papua and West Papua Governor.
      “So, I hope that under the umbrella of Papua’s Special Autonomy, which includes the Papua Province of Papua and West Papua would have a better future,” he said. (Jubi / Alex/Tina
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      6) Trouble in the East?


      In a posting immediately after polling day last week, Marcus Mietzner and I argued that having failed to win the election, it was now likely that Prabowo Subianto’s camp would try to steal the result. We found it hard to discern any other reason for producing and publicising fake quick counts that purported to show that Prabowo was the winner.
      Now that the formal count is well underway, reports have emerged that Prabowo’s super-wealthy brother, Hashim Djojohadikusumo made a visit to Papua and West Papua provinces a few days after the poll. Sydney Morning Herald journalist, Michael Bachelard reported on twitter that Hashim said he went there for “Monitoring Results” and that he visited 19 places in the provinces (though this, he said, included places he visited before the election). His visit also raised questions in the Indonesian media, specifically the dailySuara Pembaruan.
      We have no direct evidence that Hashim was doing anything untoward in Papua. Even so, the visit is suspicious and has excited much social media commentary among Jokowi supporters. If Hashim, the second most important person in Prabowo’s campaign, was most interested in checking results why wouldn’t he go to provinces with large numbers of voters (e.g. West Java with 33 million voters or East Java with 31 million) rather than Papua and West Papua with 3.2 million and 715 thousand respectively? Why wouldn’t he go to places where the Prabowo campaign had done particularly well, such as West Sumatra, or West Nusa Tenggara province?
      One possible explanation is that Papua and West Papua provinces are the places where it would be easiest to buy the count. It’s not only that the governors of both provinces – Lukas Enembe in Papua and Abraham Atururi in West Papua – are Prabowo supporters (and Hashim was reported meeting with Atururi on his recent visit, and may have met with Enembe as well).
      More importantly, electoral administration is notoriously poor – and electoral fraud notoriously rampant – in this part of Indonesia. One reason is simply the poor infrastructure, especially in upland parts of Papua province that makes distributing the ballots and collecting them particularly fraught.
      This remoteness, and poor governance generally, also breeds manipulation, such as inflation of voter lists and turnout. In the April 2014 election, Cillian Nolan of the Institute for Policy of Analysis of Conflict found voter turnout as being recorded at over 99% in more than half of Papua’s districts – a fantastical figure given that voter turnout was about 75% nationwide.The inflation of voter lists has also been identified by Nolan as a significant problem, and there is every reason to believe it persists in this election. The figure of 3.2 million voters in the list held by the KPU (General Election Commission) is higher than the 2010 census result of 2.7 million for Papua’s entire population. In most provinces, the voter roll is about two-thirds of the 2010 population.
      Finally, and most significantly, the so-called ‘noken system’ of communal voting in which votes are not secret or where community leaders vote on behalf of their entire communities makes the vote particularly open to manipulation. Upheld by Indonesia’s Constitutional Court, Nolan writes that “noken voting is best understood as meaning bloc voting and an avenue towards fraud”. It often produces results in which entire communities vote en bloc for a single candidate and, when combined with manipulation of the electoral roll and the count, can produce hugely inflated results in support of a particular candidate in a local or parliamentary election.
      In other parts of Indonesia, and abroad, the Jokowi camp has been able to detect many cases of apparent fraud or manipulation in the count. For example, in Malaysia, postal votes were heavily weighted in favour of Prabowo, way out of proportion with the ballots that were cast at polling booths in the country. In parts of Madura (which we identified as one danger area in our earlier article) Jokowi recorded no votes at all.
      In most places, however, the presence of witnesses for the Jokowi campaign at polling booths, a parallel count being carried out by Jokowi’s supporters, and a remarkable crowdsourced monitoring effort initiated by citizens, is allowing instances of manipulation to be identified. Many individual examples have been identified in which C1 forms – the forms that record a polling booth result – have been manipulated to inflate the count for Prabowo. Overall, however, these instances of fraud appear – so far – to be isolated and will probably not have a significant impact on the overall result, given the likely margin of Jokowi’s victory.
      One of the problems with Papua is that it is already proving to be very slow in collating the results. At the time of writing, 98% of C1 forms have been uploaded on the General Election Commission website, with many provinces already having achieved 100% upload rates. In Papua province the figure is 19.85%, and in West Papua it is 59.47%. In many uplands districts where noken voting is practised no forms have been uploaded at all. This is in itself perhaps not surprising, given the difficulties of transportation, communication and administration in some of these places. In a few districts where the forms have been uploaded, remarkable results in favour of Prabowo have been recorded: in one village in Lanny Jaya, for instance, four polling booths had 500 votes for Prabowo, one had 400, and none had a single vote for Jokowi.
      To be fair, however, in some other polling booths I’ve looked at on the KPU website, the noken system has advantaged Jokowi. The first reports of district results coming in from Papua so far all show handsome victories for Jokowi. So this could all come to nothing.
      Even so, it’s worth asking: could widespread manipulation in Papua and West Papua make a difference to the national result? In the quick count carried out by Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (the group with the largest sample of polling booths in its quick count) Jokowi won with about 70% of the vote in both provinces.
      Potentially that’s about 2.8 million votes if we use the KPU’s obviously inflated voter list as our base. In our earlier piece, Marcus Mietzner and I estimated that Prabowo’s camp would need to shift about 3 million votes to win the election. Shifting the entire Papua vote would of course be an impossibility. Even so, a concerted attempt at fraud in this part of Indonesia could make a significant contribution toward the overall sum. According to Suara Pembaruan , Prabowo’s Merah-Putih Coalition claims 60% of the vote in Papua. Even shifting this amount would likely be easily detectable.
      All reports suggest that the Jokowi camp is increasingly confident that the vote count is going well and that the final result will be in line with the estimates produced by the professional quick counts.
      Nevertheless, Papua and West Papua are definitely provinces to keep an eye on as the results roll in over coming days. Perhaps Hashim’s trip really was just an innocent visit to check on supporters. But there is one Southeast Asian precedent to keep in mind: in 2004, Gloria Arroyo won the Philippine presidential contest by way of extensive fraud, most of it conducted in the Mindanao region, another poorly governed and conflict-afflicted region on the nation’s periphery.
      The fact that we can even speculate that Papua might play a role like that in Indonesia is one more reminder that problems of conflict and poor governance in this region are long overdue for serious attention from Jakarta.
      ……………
      Edward Aspinall is Professor at the Department of Political and Social Change at the Australian National University’s College of Asia & the Pacific.
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      1) West Papua’s MSG membership bid is still alive

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      1) West Papua’s MSG membership bid is still alive


      2) Netherlands consul in Vanuatu welcomed

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      http://pacificpolitics.com/2014/07/west-papuas-msg-membership-bid-is-still-alive/

      1) West Papua’s MSG membership bid is still alive



      As Indonesia waits on its election result, for many West Papuans the outcome is largely irrelevant. Both candidates Prabowo and Jokowi have surrounded themselves with military hardliners who are unlikely to substantially change the status quo in regards to policy on West Papua. A voting boycott called by West Papuan leaders against the election appears to have been widely adopted, with many protestors burning their election cards and claiming the only time they’ll vote will be for a referendum on independence.
      Meanwhile significant developments on West Papua’s application to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) have also played out in the special MSG leader’s summit held recently in PNG. Although initial analysis suggested a set back for West Papuan membership based on the call for WPNCL (West Papua National Coalition for Liberation) to withdraw its application, the official MSG communiqué asks that a new application be submitted which represents all the West Papuan groups. The full Communique is here while the relevant section made in “Decisions”, is where the leaders noted in section 8:
      (ii) Agreed to invite all groups to form an inclusive and united umbrella group in consultation with Indonesia to work on submitting a fresh application.
      Although some West Papuan supporters are concerned about implications in the words “in consultation with Indonesia”, those close to the deliberations say Indonesia, as only an Observer member, cannot veto or make decisions on these next steps, even as it tries to influence it.
      Last week in Port Vila meetings took place between WPNCL leaders Andy Ayamiseba and John Ondawami, together with a senior representative of the Federal Republic of West Papua grouping, Marcus Haluk. Haluk has been appointed Chairman of the Working Group for Reconciliation, which will oversee the establishment of a unified umbrella group incorporating the 3 main pro-independence groups; WPNCL, Federal Republic of West Papua, and the National Committee for West Papua (KNPB).
      Haluk and the WPNCL leaders say they are committed to working together to establish a unified structure and that this process had been underway even before the latest MSG request. This issue of unity between competing groups has been a stumbling block for West Papua over many years but the opportunity for an MSG seat is driving momentum towards unity now. All the groups say they are now working towards this outcome. When asked if there were any ideological differences between them or whether it was all about competing personalities, Haluk said:
      “There are no ideological or political differences between us. We are all working towards the same goal – independence. You can say that the rivalry that has existed between us is only to see who can be first and who can be most effective in getting there”.
      The only condition to being part of the new umbrella group is to be pro-independence. Pro-autonomy Papuans like Franz Albert Joku and Nik Messet will not be invited to join.
      “They don’t represent any Papuan groups, only themselves” said Haluk.


      “They don’t represent any Papuan groups, only themselves” said Haluk. “As for me, I come from the Dani tribe, the largest tribe in West Papua which has half a million people and they all support independence.  Not just our tribe, but 99% of all Papuans support independence.”
      Despite being only an Observer Member of the MSG, Indonesia has mobilized much diplomatic and financial capital recently to woo the Melanesian states in an attempt to keep West Papua off the agenda and deny them an MSG seat. Fiji in particular has acted as Indonesia’s proxy, pushing Jakarta’s diplomatic line and attempting to maneuver MSG decisions in Indonesia’s favour, such as the controversial Foreign Ministers visit to West Papua on a “fact-finding mission” earlier this year that lasted only a few hours and prevented delegates from meeting anyone on the ground who was not pro-Indonesian. Vanuatu on principle refused to be part of the trip.

      Marcus Haluk, Secretary of the Federal Republic of West Papua
      Fiji has been financially and diplomatically rewarded by Indonesia – evidenced by Indonesian funding for a regional police academy in Suva and the prestige visit by President SBY to open Commodore Bainimarama’s PIDF (Pacific Islands Development Forum) gathering as a rival to the PIF (Pacific Island Forum). Yet Fiji’s maneuvering has created tension within the MSG grouping and the latest MSG summit in Port Moresby may well prove a set back for Suva and Jakarta – the communiqué was signed without Fiji. Insiders suggest that Fiji was confident the leader’s summit would endorse the Foreign Minister’s report, but it appears now that the leaders, while acknowledging the report, have chartered a different course that allows the West Papuans another chance for membership.

      “This is Melanesian diplomacy” laughs Andy Ayamiseba. “Indonesia can try to bribe Melanesian countries but in the end “blood is thicker than water”. Just because PNG, Solomons and Fiji have taken Indonesian money does not mean they will support Indonesia’s agenda”.
      How should we read the fact that Fiji was not present to sign the latest communiqué?
      “When they realized that the MSG, in its wisdom, would withdraw WPNCL’s application but at the same time ask for a new application once there is a new united umbrella group, I think Fiji realized it was outmaneuvered and didn’t want to lose face by being there” says Ayamiseba.
      Indeed it is hard to see how Melanesia can benefit meaningfully from Indonesia at a time when its military still enjoys complete impunity in its violent subjugation of West Papua and other Melanesians in Indonesia. For all the talk of Indonesian democracy, the fact is democracy does exist anywhere east of Bali. Keeping the entire province of West Papua off limits to foreign media and NGOs and controlled by a military fiefdom does not suggest any democratic values. Indonesia’s police and military forces have long been regarded among the most brutal and corrupt in the world, hardly offering a “model” for Melanesia’s uniformed services to follow; its former dictator Suharto is officially the wealthiest dictator in modern history, having looted US$70 billion over his 30 year tenure. His former son-in-law Prabowo, if elected, will likely protect and entrench the oligarchy there and threatens to wind back any democratic progress made since the fall of Suharto.
      Even as President SBY handed a cheque for $20 million to the PIDF during his visit to Fiji for climate change projects, reports emerged claiming the world’s worst illegal logging is no longer by Brazil in the Amazon, but in Indonesia. Much of this illegal logging is overseen by local military commanders.  There is clearly a policy disconnect when providing climate change funds to the Pacific at the same time you are allowing massive deforestation at home when forests are the best natural carbon sinks available.
      While it is understandable that over the decades PNG, as a neighbor, has sought to minimize friction with its giant neighbour Indonesia perhaps out of fear, Fiji’s position is more puzzling. Many in the region support Fiji’s attempts to sort out its own domestic politics and be allowed to do so, but Fiji’s naked self-interest in pushing Indonesian policy (even as it kills fellow Melanesians) regionally, not just domestically, seems unworthy of a nation like Fiji aspiring to regional leadership.
      In late August, Vanuatu will host an international gathering of all the major West Papuan groups in an effort to help them unify and resubmit a fresh application for MSG membership.
      Indonesia is expected to know the outcome of its election by July 22.
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      2) Netherlands consul in Vanuatu welcomed

      Updated at 1:23 pm today


      The West Papua National Coalition for Liberation has welcomed the nomination of the Netherlands' Honourary Consul to Vanuatu, Elizabeth Van Vliet.
      Mrs Vliet has stated that the West Papua issue will be a high priority on her agenda to bring up with the Government of the Netherlands as its representative in Vanuatu.
      She has said that she will connect West Papua organisations in the Netherlands with West Papua organisations in Vanuatu to promote the West Papua struggle.
      Before it was incorporated into Indonesia in the 1960s, the western side of New Guinea was a Dutch territory.
      The Coalition, which has an office in Vanuatu, says the Government of the Netherlands has a moral duty to accept responsibility for the human rights abuse and brutal killings of thousands of innocent West Papuans by Indonesian soldiers in the last 50 years.
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      1) PAPUA POLICE SAY 10 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN DEADLY ATTACK IN PUNCAK JAYA

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      1) PAPUA POLICE SAY 10 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN DEADLY ATTACK IN PUNCAK JAYA

      2) LOW TURNOUT IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN PAPUA, BAWASLU SAYS

      3) PANIAI STUDENTS REJECTS PANIAI BARAT REGENCY SPLIT

      4) JAYAPURA ELECTION COMMISSION SAYS LITTLE TIME TO PREPARE VOTERS’ LIST


      5) Indonesia ‘Being Left Behind’ in HIV Fight

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      http://tabloidjubi.com/en/?p=2953

      1) PAPUA POLICE SAY 10 PEOPLE INVOLVED IN DEADLY ATTACK IN PUNCAK JAYA


      Jayapura, 17/7 (Jubi) – Ten people were involved in the rebel attack on  a convoy of vehicles at Dagobak Village, Kalome Sub-district of Puncak Jaya Regency on last Wednesday (16/7), police said.
      “The perpetrators were about ten people. The  body of the killed man identified as Kallo (30 years old) has been sent to Makassar for funeral, while two injured victims are currently hospitalized in Mulia Hospital has gradually recovered,” the Papua Police Spokesperson, the Commissionaire Senior Sulistiyo Pudjo on Thursday (17/7)
      He said the incident affected traffic linking Wamena and Mulia.
      “The convoy passed the road without asking for an escort from the police or military. Currently the police and military are chasing the perpetrators,” he said. He further said the armed group in this region is always taking a chance when the market price is stable.
      The Military District Commander, Lieutenant Infantry Luqman Arief confirmed by phone to tabloidjubi.com the incident occurred at around 14:14 Papua time.
      “It is believed that  they were attacked by the armed group who usually operated in Puncak Jaya and surrounding areas. The convoy of vehicles came to Wamena to Mulia,” said Luqman Arief. (Jubi/Arjuna/rom)
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      2) LOW TURNOUT IN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION IN PAPUA, BAWASLU SAYS


      Jayapura, 16/7 (Jubi) – The Papua Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) said poor public information was to blame for the poor turnout in last week’s presidential election.
      “This is due to lack of information campaign conducted by the Papua Election Commission, including in Jayapura. According to a report from the field, only about 50 percent of eligible voters voted in the presidential election,” a Bawaslu commissioner, Anugrah Patah said on Wednesday (16/7).
      Similar low turnouts were also seen in other regencies like Nabire, where only about 40-45 percent of voters participated.
      “We found that the local Election Commission did not have the voter rolls. As a result, many people did not exercise their voting rights because the number of polling stations were not as many as planned or reduced “he added.
      KPU Commissioner, Tarwinto suspected, it is likely due to their disappointment on legislative election on April 9.
      “In fact, KPU has urged the public to exercise their voting rights,” he added. (Jubi / Arjuna)/ Tina)


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      3) PANIAI STUDENTS REJECTS PANIAI BARAT REGENCY SPLIT




                                                                                       Landscape of Paniai (IST)
      Jayapura, 17/7 (Jubi) – Paniai student and youths rejected plans to split Paniai Barat Regency into two regencies.
      “We refuse the split. Those who want the regional splits are government officials and legislators, but they have not brought any changes,” Coordinator of Coalition Team refusing the split of Paniai Barat Regency, Elius Pekey said in the press conference in Abepura, Jayapura Municipality on Thrusday (17/7).
      The coalition team said there should be some criteria need to be completed to process the split. Geographically, the region would be restricted due to the construction of offices and buildings. And referred to the human resources, the region has not supported with many qualified graduates. Therefore, the coalition team as the agent of change firmly refused the split.
      “There will rise the negative impacts for the traditional community. People would not have enough space to cultivating or hunting in the forest, etc. We would lose the forest as our food resources,” said Pekey.
      A Paniai student representative of Jayapura, Pertinus Uti said they refused the split because there would be built some Police or Military offices following the physical development whose still judge the Papua indigenous people are still very closed with the Papua Free Movement or simply called them as separatist.
      “People has a traumatic with the Police and Military in the past, so their presence would be frightened the people,” said Uti. (Jubi/Aprila/rom)
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      4) JAYAPURA ELECTION COMMISSION SAYS LITTLE TIME TO PREPARE VOTERS’ LIST


      Jayapura, 17/7 (Jubi)- Chairman of the Election Commission of Jayapura Municipality, Jeremias Numbery said time constraints and a lack of a proper information campaign were to blame for the poor turnout during the July 9 presidential election in Jayapura.
      “Problems include limited time to prepare the list of voters (DPT) and conduct socialization on the presidential election among first-time voters,” he said to tabloidjubi.com on Thursday (17/7) at his office.
      In addition, he added, the different goal of voters towards each candidate has also affected the voters. He further said physical, traditional and political connections towards the candidates are not similar with the last legislature election. And the last, people enthusiasm has driven to the World Cup event.
      Meanwhile, the Chairwoman of Election Watch Board of Jayapura Municipality, Hilda C Nahusona talked about the technical problems which affected to the lack of voters such as the updated data, the reduction of polling stations and C6 form (invitation) which not distributed because most of them couldn’t identified by local election committee (KPPS).
      An Entrop resident, Wahyono admitted he used the ID Card to vote because he couldn’t find his named registered in the list at the nearest polling station, while his family was lived there. While Purwanto from Entrop said he didn’t vote because he got no invitation and feel lazy. “I usually voted in the legislature or regional head election, but I don’t know why I got lazy this time,” he said.
      In Jayapura, only 166,000 of 328,661 voters participated in the Presidential Election. It’s equal with 50.5% of total voters registered in the list. Even there is lack of 50% of voters using their right to vote in some polling station in Abepura and Heram sub-district. (Jubi/Sindung/rom)



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      http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/indonesia-left-behind-hiv-fight/

      5) Indonesia ‘Being Left Behind’ in HIV Fight

      The number of AIDS-related deaths in the country rose by 427 percent between 2005 and 2013
      By Vita A.D. Busyra on 10:25 pm Jul 17, 2014
      Category FeaturedHealthNews
      Tags: HIV/AIDS

      Jakarta. A new United Nations report has highlighted a massive increase in the number of AIDS-related deaths in Indonesia between 2005 and 2013, even as other countries in the region and elsewhere recorded declines, with experts attributing the rise to the high number of people from traditionally low-risk population groups contracting HIV.
      The 2014 UNAIDS Gap Report, published on Wednesday, identifies Indonesia among a group of six countries “being left behind” in the push to ensure access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for people living with HIV/AIDS.
      Indonesia — along with the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Russia and South Sudan — is facing “the triple threat of high HIV burden, low treatment coverage and no or little decline in new HIV infections,” Geneva-based UNAIDS said.
      The report showed that Indonesia accounted for 4 percent of all new HIV infections in 2013, making it the eighth-biggest contributor of new infections worldwide, as well as 2 percent of all AIDS-related deaths last year.
      In Asia Pacific, Indonesia is among six countries — along with China, India, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam — that account for more than 90 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS in the region.
      The number of AIDS-related deaths in Asia and the Pacific fell by 37 percent between 2005 and 2013, the report noted, with countries like Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar posting hefty declines of 72 percent, 56 percent and 29 percent respectively.
      However, the number of AIDS-related deaths in Indonesia actually increased by 427 percent during that same period, with UNAIDS noting that only 8 percent of people in the country living with HIV/AIDS had access to ART.
      Indonesia accounted for nearly one in every eight AIDS-related death in Asia and the Pacific last year, the report showed.
      “The situation in Indonesia is cause for concern, where new HIV infections increased by 48 percent and the country’s share of new HIV infections in the region reached 23 percent in 2013, second only to India,” the report said.
      UNAIDS said there was a high prevalence of HIV infections among female sex workers, and cited the case of Jayawijaya district in Papua province, where the HIV prevalence among sex workers was 25 percent, compared to the national average of 9 percent.
      “While in countries with mature epidemics, HIV prevalence among sex workers is stable, rising HIV prevalence in countries such as Indonesia is a cause for concern,” the report said.
      It also said observations suggested that HIV prevalence among gay men and other men who have sex with men was increasing in the country.
      Injecting drug users were another high-risk group identified in the report, with an HIV prevalence “several times higher than HIV prevalence in the general population.”
      Indonesian HIV/AIDS experts acknowledge the increase in new infections and deaths, saying that Indonesia is on the middle part of an “S curve,” marked by a rapid rise in infections after a slow start, and set to be followed by the numbers leveling off.
      “You could say that the epidemic is relatively new in Indonesia compared to other countries such as Thailand,” Kemal Siregar, the secretary of the National AIDS Commission, or KPAN, told the Jakarta Globe on Thursday.
      He said that while the UNAIDS report had correctly identified the groups at highest risk of contracting the virus, one largely overlooked and underreported group was housewives who were being infected by their husbands, who had contracted the virus through extramarital sex with a sex worker or another man, or through drug use by injection.
      Kemal said these women tended to be from low-income families, and as such were less likely to be aware about their right to access free or subsidized antiretroviral drugs and treatment from the government.

      1) Smuggling at RI-PNG border must be stopped

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      1) Smuggling at RI-PNG border must be stopped

      2) Furthermore, boycott the Independence Day (August 17, 2014) in West Papua? 

      3) Police take stern action  against armed groups


      4) Holds Demo Liberation Prisoners, 22 Detained Activists KNPB and PRD Mimika Police 

      ---------------------------------------------------------------


      1) Smuggling at RI-PNG border must be stopped

      Thu, July 17 2014 17:30 | 663 Views
      Jakarta (ANTARA News - Stringent measures need to be adopted to stop smuggling activities involving drugs and other items in the border areas between the Indonesian easternmost province of Papua and Papua New Guinea (PNG).

      Most of the border areas are reportedly vulnerable to international drug trafficking due to shortage of detection equipment.

      The provinces geographical location provides easy access to drugs via the sea, air, and land transportation routes, and thus, the police and intelligence officials should be directed to intensify early detection of drug distribution networks.

      Speaking to Antara in Timika, Papua, on Tuesday, the provinces National Narcotics Agency (BNN) spokesman, Senior Commissioner Antonius Kadarmanta, remarked that the border areas are prone to drug smuggling from the neighboring country of PNG.

      He noted that the Papua province, which is directly adjacent to PNG, is affected by illicit drug trade practices, which need to be jointly addressed.

      "During a meeting of BNN officials with PNG representatives last year in Medan, North Sumatra, we have explained the data on the circulation of illicit drugs from the country into the province of Papua, which is really detrimental to us," Antonius pointed out.

      He claimed that the border areas between Papua and PNG are becoming a transit haven for illegal drug smugglers, but the government cannot take comprehensive steps due to resource constraints.

      Antonius stated that the local authority has tried to crack down on drug circulation, but unmonitored entry points near the border with PNG have marred the efforts.

      He further pointed out that the areas along the border need adequate drug detection equipment and a local anti-narcotic office to drive out possible drug smugglers and dealers from the neighboring country.

      He also called on the local police to tighten security along the border areas with PNG, which are believed to be used by international drug rings to smuggle narcotics across the border to Indonesias province of Papua.

      According to the PNG Post-Courier report in May, increasingly more Papua New Guineans are getting involved in the multi-million kina international illegal drug trade with illicit drugs worth millions changing hands, specifically between Asia and the Pacific.

      The report highlights the fact that the number of Papua New Guineans caught abroad in possession of these illicit drugs was on the rise, with three known cases that are being tried in international courts at present.

      One of these cases involves Mary Yawari, 40, who is facing life imprisonment or a fine of US$1.19 million after trying to import US$1.87 million worth of methamphetamine into north Queensland in October, last year.

      Therefore, Antonius Kadarmanta emphasized that the border areas in Papua province need special attention with regard to these issues in order to address them more effectively.

      He stated that the Papua province has become an easy target for illicit drug trade practices due to the presence of many illegal border crossings for dealers from both countries.

      "Even along the Skow border between Jayapura and Wutung in PNG alone, there are some 8 illegal border crossings, not to mention open access to move drugs through the sea route," Kadarmanta added.

      He affirmed that besides rampant drug smuggling practices, the number of drug abusers in Papua continues to rise.

      "Therefore, we need support from all parties, government, and private institutions, including other public elements, to fight against the circulation of illicit drugs in Papua," Kadarmanta stated.

      He noted that the province is in dire need of drug abuse rehab centers because the number of drug users continues to increase, and it has currently reached more than 16 thousand.

      "So far, we have identified some 16,750 cases of drug abuse by users, addicts, and dealers," he stated, adding that the number includes five thousand who are not yet regular users and the rest are drug addicts and traffickers.

      Kadarmanta described the number as alarming especially as Papua has no rehabilitation facility to treat the addicts.

      The BNN has tried to tackle the problem by launching social awareness programs in various places such as schools and other public places to warn the people against the dangers of using drugs, he added.

      Kadarmanta called for cooperation from all government agencies and community groups to jointly fight drug trafficking in Papua. 

      He explained that marijuana is the main type of narcotic used in the region and smuggled in from PNG. 

      According to Cenderawasi Military Commander Mayor General Christian Zebua, his office will provide metal detector to the military personnel securing the RI-PNG border gate in Skow, Jayapura district.

      He stated that the detector will be handed over to the Battalion 632 that secures the border, and the TNI will also train several soldiers from the battalion to operate the detector to detect illegal smuggling of ammunition and weapons that contain metal.

      "The detector will assist in the inspection of weapons and ammunition through the legal process at the border gate," Zebua emphasized.

      According to the commander, the Indonesian Military and Police are working in tandem to prevent the smuggling of weapons to the Papua region, particularly to areas, which are prone to armed rebel groups.

      "We hope that the detector can prevent the smuggling of weapons by civilians as its effects can be very dangerous," Zebua added.

      Meanwhile, Papua Regional Police Chief Inspector General Tito Karnavian recently stated in Jayapura that the detector will be installed at the Skow-Wutung entry gate.

      "We will propose the placement of detector devices at the gate to monitor the entry of undesired things such as fire arms and ammunition from PNG into the province," Karnavian affirmed.

      He noted that the proposal needed to be soon realized because the police had learned from the investigation of three residents suspected to be members of an armed group that they had purchased arms and ammunition from PNG.

      The arms and ammunition were brought into Indonesia in phases using the legal channel through the entry gate of the two nations, Tito said. 

      (O001/INE/A014)
      EDITED BY INE
      (O001/KR-BSR/A014) 



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      A google translate of posting on KNPB webpagre. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic. 
      Original bahasa link at


      2) Furthermore, boycott the Independence Day (August 17, 2014) in West Papua? 
      July 19, 2014 By: admin Category: Call 

      The success of the boycott presidential elections on the territory of West Papua Indonesia is a manifestation of anti colonialism conscious by the people of West Papua. Our next boycott is the celebration of Indonesian Independence Day 69th on the territory of West Papua. 

      Over half a century we've been forced to have an ideology and nationalism Indonesian who never inherited or born by our ancestors. We know, we never entered, let alone participate, in the history of Indonesian Independence proclamation, August 17, 1945. Papuans never existed in the history of the formation of the country called Indonesia. Therefore, it is time for us to be refused! Reject any manipulation and Indonesian colonial hegemony. 

      We menyeruhkan to the people of West Papua, which is above the territory of West Papua, West Papua and outside, so as not to take part succeed, let alone celebrate, the independence of Indonesia. As a dignified nation, we are also still respect and not interfere with their independence celebrations (of Indonesia) on 17 August. And conversely, Indonesia must respect the nation's attitude to boycott the anniversary of Indonesian Papua, West Papua. 

      We call upon all the people of West Papua to encourage and teach the truth to fellow family history, ethnicity and nation that the nation of Papua has its own history without Indonesian independence. Thus, the people no longer instigated, fooled, or bribed to engage continuously in celebration of independence August 17. 

      It's time we show the true history of the Indonesian colonial rulers and the nations of the world that the people of Papua are ready for their own state, based on his own ideology and nationalism. The rejection of Indonesian colonial occupation and subjugation of all practices have to do with the attitude of non-violent boycott. 

      We must end! 

      Issued in Port Numbay, July 19, 2014 

      Victor F. Yeimo 
      Chairman KNPB 

      Copy to: 
      1. Buchtar Tabuni, chairman of the National Parliament of West Papua [PNWP] 
      2. Chairman-Chairman of the Regional Parliament in West Papua 
      3. Benny Wenda, International Diplomat Coordinator for West Papua 
      4. Goliath Tabuni, High Commander of the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPN.PB)


      ---------------------------------------------------------------
      3) Police take stern action  against armed groups
      The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Sat, July 19 2014, 8:39 AM
      Newly appointed Papua Police chief Yotje Mende said he would take stern action against armed criminals in the province because their actions threaten the stability of the nation-state.
      “We will always adhere to our unitary state and nation. We will act firmly against anyone who undermines security and we will obviously work together with the Indonesian Military (TNI) and provincial administration to stamp out the separatist acts that damage the national structure,” said Yotje in Jakarta on Friday after accepting a report from outgoing Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian.
      The comments made by Yotje, who was installed as Papua Police chief just three days ago, came on the heels of a series of violent acts carried out by armed civilian groups in Papua in the Tingginambut district, Puncak Jaya and Tiom, Lanny Jaya, where two civilians were shot and killed.
      The victims in those shootings were Kallo, a public minivan driver from South Sulawesi, who was shot and killed by the assailants in Tingginambut on Wednesday and Nasito, 45, a motorcycle taxi driver, who was shot by a passenger in Dugume village, Tion district in Lanny Jaya regency on Thursday.


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      A google translate of article in majalahselangkah.com Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic. 
      Original bahasa link at


      4) Holds Demo Liberation Prisoners, 22 Detained Activists KNPB and PRD Mimika Police 
        Author: Matthew Badii | Friday, July 18, 2014 12:21 Read: 305 Comments: 1 




                                        Peaceful demonstration in Mimika, Papua. Photo: AD 

      Timika, STEP MAGAZINE - West Papua National Committee (KNPB) and the People's Parliament (PRD) region in Mimika, Papua, Papuan people mediate a peaceful demonstration held in the yard office of the Council of Representatives (DPRD) Mimika regency, on Thursday (07.17.14 ) yesterday. 

      They demanded that the Papua activists detained in a prison (Correctional Institution) in Papua immediate unconditional release and open the democratic space for the people of Papua. 

      "Morning At 7:00 time Mimika, Papua, thousands of people began to gather in the yard office KNPB Road Culvert Timika. Subsequently, at about 8:00 Wit, mass action began a long march from Jalan Ahmad Yani DPRD Mimika heading to the office with tight security TNI / police armed to the teeth, "said Chairman of the PRD region in Mimika, Abihut Degey to majalahselangkah.com

      Meanwhile, the mass action of the direction of the SP 5, SP 6, SP 7, SP 12, Jayanti, SP 13, Iliale, SP 3, SP 2 blocked the TNI / police. In this ambush, police arrested 24 activists KNPB. 

      Those arrested are Dotius Wanimbo, Neles, Sem, Marius Wenda, Bilem Wenda, Nius Tabuni, Sole Tabuni, Wenda Ismael, Lazarus Tabuni, Linto Tabuni, Efri, Lerina, Lepina, Tinggris (aged 3 years), Eliana Tabuni, Diana Wenda , Aifa Tabuni (3 years), Merlin Wenda, Jakson (age 2 years), Amarna Tabuni, Eka Wenda. Herman, Julian, and Hengki. 

      The mass of the direction Culvert Timika continue their action to Parliament. Mass action held banners and posters in Mimika DPRD office page. One poster reads, "Referendum for West Papua". 

      Mass action is received by a number of members of parliament Mimika, Mus Pigay,, Eltimus Mom, Ade Matulessy, and Gerson Wandikmbo. In front of the Parliament, and the PRD KNPB ask the Council to protect the people of Papua. 

      "We ask the Papuan parliament are calling for the immediate release of political prisoners Papuan independence, Victor Yeimo, Filep Karma, and others. We also asked immediately remove DPO status over the PRD Center Chairman, Buchtar Tabuni. We also shouted, immediately open the democratic space in the ground Papua, "said Abihut Degey. 

      To mass action, DPRD Mimika represented Mus Pigay said, "whatever aspirations of the people of this place, like a garbage Council Office, where the aspirations of perceived good or bad people, aspirations articulated we received and will be forwarded to the chairman of the parliament to be discussed in The next forum ". 

      DPRD Mimika also appreciate the peaceful demonstration that was held KNPB and PRD in Timika. 

      "This movement is a peaceful movement, movement manners, dignified movement, give a round of applause for the PRD and the people of Papua," said Mus Pigai Mimika DPRD members. 

      Mass dispersed peacefully after the Rev.. Daniel Bagau lead matins. 

      Confirmation majalahselangkah.com related to the Mimika Police arrest failed. (Matthew Badii / MS

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      1) Thousands of Liberation Mass Will Greet Forkorus and Waromi

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      1) Thousands of Liberation Mass Will Greet Forkorus and Waromi 

      2) Papuans to welcome release of Jayapura Five



      3)  Regional Commander Condemns Shooting in Puncak Jaya Jaya and Papua Lany 

      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


      A google translate of article in majalahselangkah.com Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic. 
      Original bahasa link at

      1) Thousands of Liberation Mass Will Greet Forkorus and Waromi 
      Saturday, 19 July 2014 21:36 Read: 516 Comments: 0 

      Dance when the Papuan People's Congress (KRP) III and the declaration "West Papua Federal State". Photo: Ist 
      Jayapura, STEP MAGAZINE - "President of the Federal State of West Papua", Forkorus Yaboisembut and "Minister of the Federal State of West Papua", Edison Waromi rumored to be dibebaska on Monday (07/21/14) morning from prisons Abepura, Papua. 
      They detained since last October 2011 in the field of Zacchaeus Padang Bulan, Abepura Papuan People's Congress in the event of Papua Declaration (KRP) III and was jailed for 33 months. 
      "Chief of Police of the Federal State of West Papua", Elias Ayakeding say, liberation Forkorus and Edison Waromi been a dream of the people of West Papua Federal far. Karenaya, he said, when released will be dijempat by about 1,000 people from the region Mamta. 
      "In the pick-up will be backed by the Federal Republic of West Papua police numbering about 1000 people from Mamta region," said Elias told reporters in CaFe Prima Garden Abepura on Friday (07.18.14), adding yesterday before giving a press conference he had met Forkorus in Abepura Prison. 
      According to Elias, it has agreed to all the activities along the way ranging from Abepura to Sentani eliminated. 
      "So we will be starting from Abepura Prison guard up residence in Sabron. And during this process we ask that trader or businessman who sells on the side streets of Abepura to Sabron Yaru can stop their activities in order to provide a sense of togetherness and respect," he said. 
      Furthermore he says, pihkanya has scheduled a free moment later, Forkorus and Edison will be welcomed with traditional dances of Papua. However, it ordered that the masses should not be carrying the Morning Star flag and sharp tools. 
      "His message (Forkorus, Cs) like it, do not bring the Morning Star flag or sharp tool. Please come with music, flute and dances Tambu but still maintain security," said Ayakeding. 
      However, further Ayakeding, when it was found there were still carrying sharp tools or the Morning Star flag, it hoped to be seen from the personnel committee although there are established. 
      "That's what I say that security is our shared responsibility, but pack Forkorus been confirmed for everything orderly," he continued. 
      Of communications made to confirm when Abepura Prison, Elias concluded determination and spirit to keep fighting for independence in Papua in a peaceful and dignified. Forkorus believe will remain on the bow of a struggle as it was before he was arrested. 
      Elias also asked the military and the police to be more professional in the escort up to his residence. 
      "I'm the TNI / police more professional in their work," he added hope. (Abraham Abeth You / MS)
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      http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/250173/papuans-to-welcome-release-of-jayapura-five

      2) Papuans to welcome release of Jayapura Five

      Updated at 4:33 am today


      Supporters of the five West Papuan political prisoners known as the Jayapura Five are expected to converge on the capital of Indonesia's Papua province today for their release.
      July 21st is the purported date of release of the five who were arrested and imprisoned in October 2011 following the Third Papuan People's Congress in Jayapura where they were elected as leaders of the so-called Federal Republic of West Papua.
      The group include the President of the Federal Republic, Forkorus Yaboisembut and the Prime Minister Edison Waromi.
      A press release from the Republic administration says more then 10,000 Papuans will come from the Republic's seven regions and gather around in Jayapura to welcome the release of the Jayapura Five.
      The administration says the gathering is being planned as a peaceful event.
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      A google translate of article in majalahselangkah.com Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic. 
      Original bahasa link at
      3)  Regional Commander Condemns Shooting in Puncak Jaya Jaya and Papua Lany 
        Author: Yermias Degei | Saturday, 19 July 2014 21:43 Read: 326 Comments: 1 

      Military commander (Regional Commander) XVII of Paradise, Major General (TNI) Christian Zebua while giving a press conference. Photo: Ist 
      Jayapura, STEP MAGAZINE - military commander (Regional Commander) XVII of Paradise, Major General (TNI) Christian Zebua said it condemned the ambush and shooting with arson in Puncak Jaya and Jaya Lany conducted Strangers (OTK) against civilians. 
      "This group does not know God like, in terms of their actions religion is contrary to the teachings of God and violate God's law. Especially now in the midst of our brothers who were Muslim fasting Civilian Armed groups are very inhumane acts and not respect religious tolerance. therefore once again I condemn the actions undertaken by the civil Armed Group (BCC) against innocent civilians, "said he as quoted kodam17cenderawasih.mil.id. 
      Regional Commander has also been ordered to soldiers who served in the area of ​​the crime scene (TKP) to continue to assist the police to seek, pursue and arrest the perpetrators of the shooting of civilians. 
      "For that I hope to the community do not hesitate to notify and inform the military-police security forces if there are things that are suspicious. Assured the military has always been in the midst of the people, always helping people and will protect the people. We do not hesitate -doubt if there are armed groups that interfere with people we will act firmly, "said Regional Commander. 
      From this incident, the military and police to take steps to coordinate with the District Government and Lany Puncak Jaya Jaya, Community Leaders, Indigenous leaders and religious figures to prevent such incidents do not happen again and to increase awareness and preparedness, intensified patrols TNI and police in vulnerable areas. 
      Known, shootings in the area Dugume Lany Jaya regency occurred on Thursday, July 17th, 2014 at 17:10 local time. Nasito (47), a motorcycle taxi driver died after being hit by bullets from firearms. While the events in Pucak Jaya you can read here (OTK Intercepted Cars in Puncak Jaya: 2 Killed, 1 Critically Burned Car and 4). 
      As of this writing, no information majalahselangkah.com liability of any party for this shooting. (Yermias Degei / MS)
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      From Inside Indonesia-Famine and fraud

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      From Inside Indonesia

      http://www.insideindonesia.org


      Famine and fraud

      A story of mass starvation tells us much about media coverage and local government in Papua

      Bobby Anderson


      In early April of 2013 it was reported that at least 95 indigenous Papuans had died of starvation in Kwoor sub-district, Tambrauw District, Papua Barat (West Papua). Another 553 were said to be seriously ill and at risk of imminent death. The deaths had begun in December of 2012 and most of the victims were concentrated in Tambrauw’s remote villages of Baddei (alt: Bakdei), Jokbi Joker (alt: Jokjoker) and Kasyefo.
      Tambrauw lies on the northern coast of the Kepala Burung or Bird’s Head peninsula. This starvation report was particularly ironic in that Tambrauw is located next to some of the richest fisheries in the world. Although much of Tambrauw’s population is concentrated on, and makes their living from, the sea, the starvation-affected villages are all inland, with the closest a six-hour walk from Kampung Kwoor, and the furthest a three-day walk. This story resonated: it was indicative of the Indonesian government’s callousness toward the indigenous citizens of its easternmost and most under-developed periphery. And for many it was more evidence to support allegations that genocide is occurring in Tanah Papua.
      The story grew more worrisome with news that two Papuan activists, Yohanis Mambrasar and his father, Hans, were arrested in the Tambrauw capital, Sausapor, for compiling a dossier of local deaths, apparently due to lack of medical care. The Asian Human Rights Commission reported that the two were interrogated for hours about separatist activities in the area and an urgent appeal was issued by AHRC on their behalf. Implicit in the news of this arrest were two things: that the starvation must be much more widespread than initially reported, and that the authorities were attempting a cover-up.
      After a few weeks of attention to this starvation in select media outlets and independence listservs, the story faded from the news - yet another example of structural violence perpetuated against Papuans by the state, while brave activists trying to uncover such crimes disappear into police custody.
      This incident is even more important because the alleged starvation didn’t actually happen....................................................
      full article at

      1) West Papuan political prisoners freed Activists vow to continue agitating for independence

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      1) West Papuan political prisoners freed Activists vow to continue agitating for independence 

      2) Papua independence to move forward

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      1) West Papuan political prisoners freed Activists vow to continue agitating for independence 
      Katharina R. Lestari, Jakarta Indonesia July 21, 2014



      Five West Papuan political prisoners were released on Monday after serving three-year sentences in a Jayapura prison. The activists were arrested in October 2011 for reading out a “declaration of independence” from Indonesia. Those released included prominent tribal leader Forkorus Yaboisembut, who was declared “president of the Federal Republic of West Papua” during the 2011 declaration of independence event; Edison Waromi, who was declared prime minister; as well as Agustinus Sanany Kraar, Selpius Bobii and Dominikus Sorbet. Forkorus Yaboisembut, now age 59, told local media that the group had only been released because they had served their full jail terms. “We will keep working together in the future until there is recognition [of our independence] and a transfer of sovereignty from the Republic of Indonesia to the Federal Republic of West Papua,” he said. 
      In 1969, Indonesia held a referendum known as the ‘Act of Free Choice’, during which a vote was held and it was subsequently announced that the population had decided to relinquish West Papua’s sovereignty in favor of Indonesian citizenship. Rights monitors and West Papuan activists claim that the referendum was rigged and have since agitated for a re-vote. However, any political activities aimed at independence have been met with swift punishment from the Indonesian government. Earlier this month, six activists from the National Committee for West Papua were reportedly arrested and beaten for distributing leaflets calling on the West Papuan people to boycott the presidential election. Fr Neles Kebadabi Tebay, who is a rector of Fajar Timur School of Philosophy and Theology in Abepura, told ucanews.com that the activists could face re-arrest if they continue agitating for independence. “I, however, think that such arrests won’t solve the problem. The government of Indonesia and representatives of Papuans must sit together in a dialogue,” Fr Neles added.
      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/250304/papua-independence-to-move-forward
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      2) Papua independence to move forward

      Updated about 1 hour ago


      The organisation that calls itself the Federal Republic of West Papua says the release of its president and four others from prison yesterday means their campaign for independence can now move forward.
      Forkorus Yaboisembut and four others were imprisoned by Indonesia in October 2011 on charges of treason after the republic was declared by a vote at the Third Papua People's Congress.
      The organisation's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jacob Rumbiak, says the Federal Republic is a legitimate organisation that will now ramp up its effort to lobby the international community for recognition.
      "West Papua already fulfils the requirement of establishing a country, like Indonesia did in 1945 and America did in 1776; what's the difference? We have a leader now, we have an agenda, [The] Federal Republic of West Papua was born by a democratic system."
      Jacob Rumbiak says the organisation has asked for meetings with both candidates of Indonesia's recent presidential election.

      1) A Farewell to the New Order With Jokowi?

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      1) A Farewell to the New Order With Jokowi?


      2) Petrochemical Investment in Papua Hampered

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      http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/farewell-new-order-jokowi/

      1) A Farewell to the New Order With Jokowi?

      By Erwida Maulia on 11:30 pm Jul 23, 2014
      Category FeaturedNewsPolitics

      Jakarta. Joko Widodo’s victory in Indonesia’s presidential election has inspired fresh hope that the country can finally resolve human rights abuses that have gone unaddressed for decades, as well as sweep away all vestiges of the New Order era that continue to pervade the government and politics.
      For many observers, Jokowi, as the country’s soon-to-be seventh president is popularly known, represents the best break from Indonesia’s dark past because he was never a part of the New Order.
      Jokowi, 53, was born into a low-income family and raised in the sleepy Central Java town of Solo, before getting into business making and selling wood furniture.
      He only entered politics in 2005 — seven years after the fall of the strongman Suharto, the architect of the New Order — when he ran for mayor of Solo and won, with the support of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, or PDI-P, which was long the thorn in the New Order’s side.
      He was re-elected in 2010 with more than 90 percent of the vote, before leaving mid-office to run for governor of Jakarta in 2012. Two short years and a media frenzy later, Jokowi has been named the winner of the 2014 presidential election.
      That history, observers say, is tellingly clear of any ties with the New Order — unlike the track record of his opponent, Prabowo Subianto, who was a military general under Suharto and was even married to the dictator’s daughter until 1998.
      During his time in the military, Prabowo commanded the Army Special Forces, or Kopassus, a feared killing squad, and later the Army Strategic Reserves, or Kostrad, before being discharged for his involvement in the abduction of pro-democracy activists who had been agitating for Suharto’s resignation.
      But his checkered human rights record began much earlier, with allegations of involvement in the killings of civilians in the then-occupied territory of East Timor.
      “Jokowi doesn’t have past burdens, like Prabowo; he’s not among alleged perpetrators of human rights abuses,” Asvi Marwan Adam, a historian at the Indonesian Institute of Sciences, or LIPI, tells the Jakarta Globe.
      “He also doesn’t give promises [of political posts] to members of his coalition — unlike the case with Prabowo and SBY [President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono],” he adds.
      “With Jokowi as president, there’s a bigger possibility that we can finally resolve the human rights abuses of the past, and I certainly hope he will be able to settle them.”
      Asvi says it helps that Jokowi’s PDI-P, whose chairwoman, Megawati Soekarnoputri, Sukarno’s daughter, was in the opposition during the New Order’s 32-year rule.
      The same cannot be said of Prabowo, whose biggest coalition partner is the Golkar Party — Suharto’s very own political vehicle, whose ranks are still studded with holdovers from the dictator’s era.
      Not the package
      But many of the key people Jokowi has surrounded himself with do have links to the New Order, says Bonnie Triyana, the founder of Historia magazine.
      Most notable among them is Jokowi’s running mate, Jusuf Kalla, who chaired Golkar from 2004 to 2009. There is also Wiranto, the chairman of the People’s Conscience Party, or Hanura, a coalition partner, who served as the last military chief of staff under Suharto.
      Other Suharto-era generals, long since retired, have flocked around Jokowi, including A.M. Hendropriyono, a former head of the State Intelligence Agency, or BIN, who has been accused of, but never charged over, a deadly military crackdown on civilian protesters in Talangsari, Lampung, in 1989.
      Also in Jokowi’s inner circle are the Wanandi brothers, Jusuf and Sofjan, prominent businessmen who owed their fortunes to their close ties with the Suharto regime.
      “As an individual, Jokowi is relatively clean compared with other leaders,” Bonnie says. “He’s also spoken about how he wants to solve the case of the disappearance of Wiji Tukul, who was also from Solo.”
      Wiji, a poet, was among 13 pro-democracy activists kidnapped in the unrest that led to Suharto’s resignation in 1998. He has never been seen since.
      “But looking at the people behind Jokowi,” Bonnie goes on, “and given that political horse-trading is inevitable in a democracy like ours, it will be difficult” to cut all ties with the New Order.
      Arguably the most serious of the past abuses that Jokowi will be expected to address is the purge from 1965-66 of suspected members and sympathizers of the Indonesian Communist Party, or PKI, in which up to a million people were estimated to have been killed.
      The Yudhoyono has categorically refused to open an inquiry into the matter (the president’s late father-in-law, Sarwo Edhie Wibowo, was one of the military generals who led the pogrom), and school textbooks continue to propagate the lie that the communists had to be exterminated because they had attempted a coup to unseat then-president Sukarno.
      Independent historians agree that the PKI was simply a scapegoat for the military as it sought to wrest power from Sukarno.
      “The new government and the state must be able to guarantee justice [...] including the resolution of past human rights abuses,” Bonnie says. “What important is the political will. It is important for the state to admit that there were past violations and to apologize for them.”
      Both Bonnie and Asvi see Kalla as helping rather than hindering on this front, despite his association with Golkar.
      “Although he was part of the New Order, he has been a proven peacemaker for Indonesia, mediating in conflicts in Aceh and Poso,” Asvi says.
      Kalla is also expected to rally support from Golkar legislators, who will comprise the second-biggest bloc when the new House of Representatives goes into session in September, to help push through government programs and policies.
      Bonnie notes that the New Order has left behind more than just unanswered rights abuse cases.
      “Our perspective, the way we look at things, is still very much influenced by the New Order,” he says.
      He cites the popular notion that Yudhoyono is a dithering and indecisive leader, pointing out that the corollary is that people feel nostalgic about what they perceive as Suharto’s strong leadership.
      Prabowo has preyed on this sentiment, exploiting it to garner nearly half of all votes in the July 9 election.
      “Since the fall of Suharto, our enemy is the New Order’s legacy,” Bonnie says. “Jokowi’s win, we hope, will change all that.”

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      WEDNESDAY, 23 JULY, 2014 | 15:30 WIB
      2) Petrochemical Investment in Papua Hampered
      TEMPO.COJakarta - German petrochemical company Ferrostaal GmbH’s investment of US$8 billion in Teluk Bintuni Regency, West Papua, has been stalled by gas supply problem. Coordinating Economic Minister Chairul Tanjung (CT) said the government is still seeking solutions for the problem.
      “I’ve already asked coordination under the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM),” said Chairul on Tuesday.
      Chairul said the company, who has obtained permission from the BKPM since 2012, needs a large supply of gas to produce 1.3 million tons of methanol per year. “They want to start the csontruction immediately,” he said.
      Ferrostaal’s methanol factory needs supply of natural gas to be used as raw materials as much as 202 million standard cubic feet per day (MMSCFD). The company has targeted the construction to start next year and is currently waiting for supply of natural gas from Tangguh and Genting Oil field. Their production is intended to meet Indonesia’s huge need for methanol.
      The current methanol supply has only reached 600,000 tons per year while Indonesia needs 800,000 tons, leading to importing 200,000 tons. Methanol is raw material from propylene and ethylene, the raw materials for making plastics.
       JAYADI SUPRIADIN

      1) SKPKC ASKED THE SECURITY FORCE TO BE SMART IN PURSUING THE PERPETRATORS AFTER THE SHOOTING INCIDENT AT LANNY JAYA

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      1) SKPKC ASKED THE SECURITY FORCE TO BE SMART IN PURSUING THE PERPETRATORS AFTER THE SHOOTING INCIDENT AT LANNY JAYA


      2) Tony Abbott won't attend Pacific Islands Forum in Palau



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      1) SKPKC ASKED THE SECURITY FORCE TO BE SMART IN PURSUING THE PERPETRATORS AFTER THE SHOOTING INCIDENT AT LANNY JAYA


      Wamena, 19/07- (Jubi) Coordinator of Peaceful and Justice Secretariat Office (SKPKC) for Papua Highland Areas, Pater Theo Kosay, OFM asked the security force to be smart in doing the investigation towards the perpetrators following the shooting incident at Dugume Village, Sub-District Tiom of Lanny Jaya Regency.
      “In Papua, the sweeping or pursuing operation after the incident is becoming a habit. Based on experience, the Police and Military are generally conducting their operation blindly. We asked them to be smart in investigating the perpetrators and found the right target,” Kosay said to reporter in Wamena on Friday (18/7).
      He further said based on the information received from the member of SKPKC Lanny Jaya it has frightened the people. They are traumatic and run for hiding. “They are frightened because based on their last experience, the police or military were always acting blindly,” said Kosay.
      Further he considered the shooting incident at Dugume Village was a crime that should be solved by Indonesian Law. “SKPKC is very disappointed with the incident. Therefore we asked the security force to investigate this case without scarifying the people,” he said.
      He admitted his office has coordinated with SKPKC Lanny Jaya to collect the updated data about the incident.
      “I asked the people in Lanny Jaya and Jayawijaya for not being provoked with this situation. People should keep calm until this case could be resolved by the law enforcement authority,” Kossay said.
      Similar with Kosay, a member of SKPKC for Highland Areas, Yance hoped the same thing.
      “Therefore people can run their routine activities smoothly as expected.(Jubi/Ronny/rom)
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      2) Tony Abbott won't attend Pacific Islands Forum in Palau

      Updated 25 July 2014, 5:26 AEST
      Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, will not be attending the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau next week.
      Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, will not be attending the Pacific Islands Forum in Palau next week.
      The visit would have been Mr Abbott's first chance to meet Pacific leaders since the election of his coalition government in September last year to discuss many regionally important issues.
      However, with the downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in the Ukraine and other pressing matters Mr Abbott has decided the trip is not possible.
      Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss will instead lead the Australian delegation and Parliamentary Secretary Brett Mason.
      The Lowy Institute's Vanuatu-based non-resident fellow, Dr Tess Newton Cain, told Pacific Beat it is a missed opportunity for the Australian Government.
      "Prime Minister Abbott is dealing with a time of great national tragedy and trauma for Australia," she said.
      "I think that is something the leaders of the region would recognise."
      Dr Cain says although Pacific leaders will most likely use the occasion to offer their support to Mr Abbott and Australia, it's unfortunate that two years in a row the Australian prime minister will not be present at the forum.
      "This just leads ... to a sense that we're not seeing Prime Minister Abbott being able to take the opportunity to really deliver on the promise of a new, deeper and more nuanced engagement with the region, which we were given to expect while his government was in opposition and indeed since it came to power," she said.
      Dr Cain says while Australia will be represented at the forum, Pacific leaders would have been looking for personal assurances from Mr Abbott on a number of key issues and relationships.
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      1) Freeport Gets Permit to Export Copper Concentrate From Indonesia

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      1) Freeport Gets Permit to Export Copper Concentrate From Indonesia


      2) SBY gives nod to Freeport  deal, lower export duties 

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      http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/business/freeport-gets-permit-export-copper-concentrate-indonesia/

      1) Freeport Gets Permit to Export Copper Concentrate From Indonesia

      By Reuters on 11:04 pm Jul 25, 2014
      Jakarta. Freeport-McMoRan has obtained a permit to resume exports of copper concentrate from Indonesia after a six-month stoppage, the head of its Indonesian unit told Reuters late on Friday.
      Freeport, Indonesia’s top copper producer, is one of the first companies to get an export permit after the government introduced a new rules on mineral exports in January.
      “We just have to make some preparations before we can start exporting. In terms of permitting, everything is OK,” Freeport Indonesia chief executive Rozik Sutjipto said, adding that the firm would now need to pay a higher royalties and a tax on its exports.
      “We have signed the MoU [memorandum of understanding] with the government, we have placed a bond for the smelter and we got a recommendation from the director general … From there we went to the trade ministry and got the export permit,” Sutjipto said.
      Sutjipto said the firm expected to be able to resume shipments in early August.
      “We still have to load the ship, and this may take a few days,” Sutjipto said. He said it would take around a week to ramp up concentrate output to normal levels from the massive mine in Papua, up from around 40 percent of those levels at present.
      Earlier on Friday, the government approved a new regulation easing the export tax on mineral concentrates for miners planning to build a smelter.
      “The finance ministry regulation on the export tax has been signed,” said Deputy Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro.
      As part of Friday’s deal, the government reduced Freeport’s copper concentrate export tax to 7.5 percent from 25 percent after the company agreed to pay a bond as a guarantee they will build a smelter later.
      The tax rate that Freeport is subject to is part of a new tax regime for mineral concentrate exporters approved on Friday by the finance ministry.
      “The 7.5 percent rate is not automatic, and is connected to their spending on a [smelter] guarantee bond and a percentage from the cost of their investment,” Bambang said.
      In January, Indonesia imposed an escalating tax policy, which penalized any company that had not made progress on building a smelter by slapping them with a 25 percent tax on copper concentrate exports or a 20 percent tax on lead, zinc, iron and manganese shipments. The tax was due to increase annually to 60 percent in 2017.
      The tax was intended to force miners to develop smelters and mineral processing facilities and part of a government push to derive bigger returns from Indonesia’s mineral resources. But rather than pay it, most miners stopped exporting from Southeast Asia’s biggest economy and one of the world’s top mineral producers.
      The government also banned the export of unprocessed ore, and that ban will remain in place.
      Reuters

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      2) SBY gives nod to Freeport  deal, lower export duties 
      Ina Parlina and Raras Cahyafitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Business | Fri, July 25 2014, 10:28 AM
      President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has approved a deal on a renegotiated mining contract involving a subsidiary of US-based giant Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, PT Freeport Indonesia, three months prior to leaving office.

      In a limited Cabinet meeting on Thursday, the president gave his approval to mining contracts that have been renegotiated, including that with Freeport, Coordinating Economic Minister Chairul Tanjung said. “If there is anything that needs to be followed up, it must be done quickly,” Chairul said.

      The government is struggling to renegotiate a number of previously approved contracts of work (CoW) for minerals and coal that have to be adjusted in line with the 2009 Mining Law. As many as 107 CoW are subject to renegotiation, covering six main issues.

      Earlier this month, the government announced that Freeport Indonesia had agreed in principal to the renegotiation of the six issues. The deal will be sealed under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that will form the basis for the drafting of the amended CoW.

      “After they comply with the MoU, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry will issue an export recommendation for Freeport to the Trade Ministry, which will issue export permits,” Chairul said. The MoU is expected to be signed soon after Idul Fitri.

      In a Freeport-McMoRan statement released late on Wednesday, it said that under the MoU, Freeport Indonesia would agree to provide a US$115 million surety bond to support its commitment to building a smelter, pay lower export duties that will decline as the smelter construction progresses and pay increased royalties of 4 percent for copper and 3.75 percent for gold from the current rates of 3.5 percent and 1 percent, respectively.

      Freeport has halted its copper-concentrate exports since Jan. 12, when the government imposed a mineral-ore export ban in compliance with the mining law. The government has actually relaxed the ban by allowing exports of semi-finished products, such as concentrate, until 2017 subject to export duties.

      Freeport and other semifinished mineral producers have criticized the regulation, saying the duties, which are regulated under a Finance Ministry regulation and start from 20 percent, gradually increasing to 60 percent in 2016, are too harsh. Moreover, Freeport and another copper miner PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara, a subsidiary of Newmont Mining Corp., claim the export duties contravene their CoW.

      The government has insisted companies complete their renegotiations before moving on to talks about reducing export duties for mineral producers committed to building smelters.

      Following the approved renegotiations, the president also approved the issuance of new export duties for companies willing to build smelters.

      “[The president told] the Finance Ministry to issue a new regulation on export duties for companies that have already complied with the Mining Law and the existing government regulation,” Chairul said.

      He declined to reveal the new scales of export duties the companies will be expected to pay.

      Freeport hopes to resume exports in August. “In the event that Freeport Indonesia is unable to resume normal operations for an extended period, the company intends to implement plans to reduce operating costs, defer capital expenditures and implement workforce reductions,” it said.

      1) Lame duck SBY slips in Freeport deal

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      1) Lame duck SBY slips in  Freeport deal


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      1) Lame duck SBY slips in  Freeport deal
      Raras Cahyafitri and Satria Sambijantoro, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Headlines | Sat, July 26 2014, 11:42 AM
      Less than three months before the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is due to leave office, it sealed a strategic deal on Friday with the local unit of US giant miner Freeport-McMoRan Inc., which ensured the company would continue to operate after its license expires in 2021.

      The government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with PT Freeport Indonesia despite previous pledges from Yudhoyono to the contrary. He had said that should he be forced to do so he would meet the president-elect for consultation and approval.

      Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry director general for minerals and coal R. Sukhyar and Freeport Indonesia president director Rozik Soetjipto signed the MoU, which will serve as the legal basis for the next government’s amendment of the miner’s contract of work (CoW).

      “The MoU has been signed [...] the amendment of the CoW should be made six months after the signing,” said Sukhyar.

      Such a policy will eventually leave president-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, scheduled to be sworn in on Oct. 20, with less room to reform the amendment, particularly when many politicians accused Freeport of exploiting resources without giving enough back to Indonesia.

      Under the MoU, Freeport can continue its operations after its contract expires in 2021. A clause in the MoU states that if Freeport meets its commitments, “the government will not unreasonably withhold or delay the continuation of its operations”, according to Sukhyar.

      Operation continuity is Freeport’s primary concern as it needs to ensure that it gets a return on its investment after pouring in billions of dollars to tap more copper and gold in its Grasberg mine, located in Mimika regency, Papua. The mine holds the world’s biggest gold deposits.

      Freeport, under the MoU, will also have hefty taxes eased when it exports semi-finished products once it agrees to provide US$115 million in surety bonds as part of its commitment to build a local smelter.

      The company’s export tax will be set at 7.5 percent, lower than the industry average of 20 or 25 percent in 2014 and 60 percent by 2016.

      “Freeport agreed to comply with our regulation; it agreed to pay surety bonds, build a smelter etc,. Because it agreed, therefore, the export tax will be in line with the progress of its smelter development. The more the progress, the lower the export tax, which will be zero percent when the smelter development has reached a point of no return,” Finance Minister Chatib Basri said.

      Chatib added that the lower export duties would enable the company resumes exportation. This would improve the trade balance, and that the current-account deficit would decline and the rupiah would strengthen.

      Under the recommendation, Freeport is allowed to export 756,300 tons of copper concentrate in second half of the year, valued at $1.7 billion, according to Sukhyar.

      The MoU, which is the first to be sealed in the list of giant miners currently negotiating their contract amendments, was signed ahead of the week-long Idul Fitri holiday and while public attention is distracted by the presidential election.

      Freeport’s Rozik played down concern and suspicion. “We have been doing this for two years and we need a deal so that we can move forward,” he said.

      The MoU is legally binding and will have legal consequences for the new government, legal expert Todung Mulya Lubis said.

      “A lame duck government usually cannot issue a policy that will bind the next government unless in an emergency situation. The decision should have been postponed as it raises suspicions,” Todung said.

      Jokowi said on Friday that Yudhoyono had not consulted him. “The Freeport contract will expire in 2021. The current administration should not have sealed the deal,” Jokowi said.
      Other key issues in the MoU 

      • Freeport pays higher royalties for copper — 4 percent from 3.75 percent — and 3.5 percent for gold from 1 percent

      • Freeport to gradually sell a further 21 percent stake to the government within one year after the government revises its regulation on company divestment

      • Freeport’s concession area will decrease to 122,00 hectares from 212,000 ha

      Sita W Dewi also contributed to this story.
      ----------------------------------------------------------------

      http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/national/3073-si-will-push-for-dr-rodgers-for-forum-top-job

      2) SI will push for Dr Rodgers for Forum top job

      A high level seven-member delegation led by Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo will push for Solomon Islands candidate for the top post of the Pacific Islands Forum.
      Solomon Islands candidate, Dr Jimmie Rodgers who until recently was the Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community is one of three contestants for the post of Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum.

      Mr Lilo and his team will need to push hard for Dr Rodgers at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Palau at the end of the month because strictly speaking it should be the turn of the Micronesian Block.

      The Micronesian Block has hinted a willingness to accept a successor to Tuiloma Neroni Slade as the Forum’s Secretary General, from the Melanesian Spearhead Group, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia.

      The Lilo delegation will need to lobby hard for Dr Rodgers as the other two candidates are from PNG and Fiji.

      The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting is the third top-over of the current world tour for Prime Minister Lilo and his delegates.

      They have been in Havana, Cuba where they officially opened Solomon Islands Embassy there after it opened its doors last year and has been manned by former National Parliamentarian Simeon Bouro as Ambassador.

      The Prime Minister’s trip will also see him opening our new Embassy in Jakarta, national capital of Indonesia, which is being headed by the former Chief Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Salana Kalu as Ambassador.

      Meanwhile, the People’s Alliance Party has reiterated its earlier call on the Lilo government not to lose sight of the plight of the Melanesian people of West Papua who have been struggling for political freedom from Indonesian colonial rule.

      PAP President, Sir Nathaniel Waena said while Solomon Islands stands to gain economic benefits from the newly established diplomatic ties between Honiara and Jakarta, the government must consider the way Indonesia has been mistreating West Papuans.

      He is reiterating the party’s earlier call to coincide with the opening of the Jakarta office.

      By George Atkin
      In Honiara
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      1) Minsiters urged to meet West Papuan visitor

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      1) Minsiters urged to meet West Papuan visitor


      2) Freeport royalties deal a big win for Indonesia

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      1) Minsiters urged to meet West Papuan visitor


      Police Minister Anne Tolley and Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman have a rare opportunity this week to gain first-hand knowledge about Indonesian police and military activities in West Papua. West Papua is all but closed to international journalists and other independent observers so police and military atrocities don’t make our headlines.
      Mr Victor Mambor, 39, Editor of the Jayapura-based newspaper and website Tabloid Jubi, and Chairperson of West Papua’s Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) is in New Zealand for the week and is thought to be the first West Papuan journalist to visit this country.
      "Victor has sought short interviews with Ministers Tolley and Coleman and I urge them to meet him," West Papua Action Auckland Spokesperson Maire Leadbeater said today. "New Zealand has for years provided military training to Indonesian officers and recently ran police training, as a pilot programme, in the territory. In 2011 an officer from the notorious Kopassus special forces attended a military training course here, despite the sad record of Kopassus murdering Papuan independence leaders.
      "While Victor is in New Zealand, it is a rare opportunity for Cabinet Ministers to gain the perspective of an on-the-ground commentator. He is among the most influential journalists in West Papua and a passionate advocate for a free press. In recent years, he has campaigned internationally for greater press freedom, including early this year at the European Parliament."
      Mr Mambor has written about police raids on local media offices, "fake journalists" who work for the police and military, and the disappearances and deaths of Papuan activists.
      During his visit, Mr Mambor will be keynote speaker at a seminar about West Papua at Auckland University’s law faculty on August 1 and 2. The programme for West Papua - the Pacific’s Secret Shame will include Melbourne-based Papuan campaigner Paula Makabory, Auckland’s Pacific Media Centre Director Professor David Robie and Social and Cultural Studies Senior Lecturer Dr Elizabeth Stanley of Victoria University, Wellington.
      His visit has been assisted by a journalism grant from the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
      ----------------------------------------------------------------

      2) Freeport royalties deal a big win for Indonesia

      INDONESIA has cut a deal with Freeport McMoRan on export taxes and royalties, allowing the US mining giant to resume copper-concentrate exports after a six-month stalemate.
      The company, one of the world’s biggest copper producers, mines almost a fifth of its copper in Indonesia and controls Grasberg, the country’s largest mine. Indonesia is a major producer of copper, tin and bauxite, and ranks as the world’s fourth-largest exporter of copper, an essential modern metal used to make pipes and wires.
      Under the deal, Freeport’s Indonesia unit will pay higher royalties, help build a smelter and begin paying taxes on copper-concentrate exports, the government said.
      Freeport also agreed to “provisions” to increase the stake in the local unit held by the Indonesian government and nationals to 30 per cent, from the current 9.36 per cent. Freeport currently owns a 90.64 per cent stake.
      The deal represents a victory for Indonesia, which has tried to gain greater control of its vast natural resources and milk more in taxes and royalty payments from foreign miners and investors.
      Freeport chairman James Moffett said the agreement would “enable continuing benefits of the Grasberg operations for the government, the local communities in Papua, our large Indonesian workforce and our shareholders”.
      In January, the government imposed an export ban aimed at keeping lucrative refining work within the country.
      That was bad news for Freeport and Newmont Mining, the other big Western miner in the country. Large Western mining companies say that so-called resource nationalism, such as export bans and tax increases, are one of their biggest challenges. Without their expertise, they say, countries such as Indonesia and the Democratic Republic of Congo wouldn’t have profitable job-creating mines.
      Newmont hasn’t yet agreed to an export deal and sought arbitration this month with the US-based International Centre for the Settlement of Investment to resolve its standoff with Indonesia.
      “We are encouraged by the news about Freeport,” said spokesman Omar Jabara.
      Newmont, he added, “has been holding ongoing meetings with the government to define the outlines of a separate memorandum of understanding” that would allow the company’s Batu Hijau copper and gold mine to resume operations after the company shut it down early last month because of the export ban.
      Director-general of coal and mineral resources Sukhyar, who uses a single name, said once the deal with Freeport was signed the company may start exporting copper concentrate within two weeks. By the end of the year, Indonesia’s total copper exports are expected to reach 756,300 tonnes with an estimated value of $US1.56 billion ($1.66bn), said Mr Sukhyar. That is about half of last year’s exports of 1.45 million tonnes.
      Freeport doesn’t disclose exports, but it says it produced roughly 400,000 tonnes of copper in Indonesia last year, up 24 per cent from 2012. It said in its most recent annual report that “sales from Indonesia mining are expected to increase in 2014 through 2016” as it “gains access to higher grade ore”.
      Freeport has invested billions of dollars since the early 1960s in the eastern province of Papua to develop Grasberg, among the three biggest gold and copper mines on the planet.
      Mr Sukhyar said Freeport would provide a $US115 million assurance bond to build a smelter, with duties on its exports declining to zero from 7.5 per cent as the facility progresses.
      Meanwhile, its royalty payments will rise to 4 per cent from 3.5 per cent for copper and to 3.75 per cent from 1 per cent for gold.
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      PIF leaders should discuss West Papua at its Koror Summit

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      Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)

      Media release 28  July 2014

      PIF leaders should discuss West Papua at its Koror Summit

      The 45th Pacific Islands Forum and related meetings will be held from 29 July to 1 August 2014 in Koror, the Republic of Palau.

      AWPA urges the PIF to discuss the human rights situation in West Papua at its Summit in Palau. It also urges the PIF leaders to make a public statement of concern regarding the human rights situation in the territory in its official communiqué as did the MSG leaders did in their official communiqué in Noumea in 2013.
      AWPA also call on the PIF to urge the new Indonesian President to release all West Papuan political prisoners unconditionally as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people.
      Joe Collins of AWPA said “West Papua is the one territory in the Pacific where the deteriorating human rights situation could lead to instability in the region. The Forum leaders should be concerned about this and do all they can to help resolve this conflict”.  AWPA believes the PIF can play an important role in helping facilitate a dialogue between genuine representatives of the West Papuan leadership and the Indonesian Government. 
      AWPA open letter to PIF leaders in May at


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      1) Three Soldiers Injured in an Attack in Papua

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      1) Three Soldiers Injured in an Attack in Papua

      2) Eight police officers attacked in Papua

      3) Two police officers die in firefight in Lanny Jaya

      4) Indonesia's new paradigm must include the past


      5) No crooks or human rights  abusers in new Cabinet:  Activists

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      http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/three-soldiers-injured-attack-papua/

      1) Three Soldiers Injured in an Attack in Papua

      By Banjir Ambarita on 05:03 pm Jul 28, 2014
      Category CrimeNews
      Tags: Papua
      Jayapura. Three soldiers suffered from gunshot injuries on Monday morning following an attack against a military post in the Tingginambut area of Papua’s Puncak Jaya district, alleged to have been lead by a separatist group.
      The men were reportedly patrolling near the post when a group of more than three people attacked the post, leading to an exchange of fire  which eventually forced the attackers back into a nearby forest.
      The attack injured three soldiers, namely Second Sgt. Dedi, Chief Private Agus and Private Firman. Other oficers from the Mulia subdistrict have reportedly evacuated the soldiers to Jayapura for medical treatment.
      Papua military spokesman Lt. Col. Rikas Hidayatullah refused to comment on the incident.

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      Note. In the Antara news report below it should probably be "attacked eight soldiers " not "killing eight officers" . Although media reports are usually updated later .

      http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/95070/eight-police-officers-attacked-in-papua

      2) Eight police officers attacked in Papua

      Senin, 28 Juli 2014 23:49 WIB | 312 Views
      Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Eight police officers had been attacked by unknown gunmen in the district of Lanny Jaya, Papua, head of the public relations division of the national police command, Inspector General Ronny F Sompie, said.
      "At around 12.10pm Western Indonesia Time on July 28, a shooting incident occurred in Indawa in the district of Lanny Jaya, killing eight officers of the Lanny Jaya resort police command," he said in a press statement received here on Monday.
      He said the officers were visiting a village for a neighborhood security system development program when the shooting occurred.
      "Eight officers were attacked by an armed criminal group led by Enden Wanimbo," he said.
      Ronny said two police officers died on the spot--Second Brigadier Zulkifli D Putra and Second Brigadier Yoga AJ Ginuny--after being shot in the head.
      Others meanwhile had suffered injuries--First Brigadier Helsky Bonyadone in the stomach and Second Brigadier Alex Numbery in the temple.
      "All the victims had been evacuated to the Wamena general hospital," he said.
      Ronny said the site of the incident was only a half hour drive from the Lanny Jaya police resort command or two hours from Wamena.
      "Until 4pm, exchange of fire continued involving 20 personnel of the special team from the regional police command and two platoon strong units of Mobile Brigade from the regional police command," he said.
      The deputy chief of the regional police command, the director of intelligence, and chief of the Mobile Brigade Unit of the Papua regional police command are set to arrive at Lanny Jaya through Wamena by plane to provide moral support to the police force in the district and encourage them during their operations.
      Reported by Yuni Arisandy (T.Y012/H-YH/INE)EDITED BY INE(H-YH)(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/B/H-YH)
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      http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/95068/two-police-officers-die-in-firefight-in-lanny-jaya

      3) Two police officers die in firefight in Lanny Jaya

      Senin, 28 Juli 2014 20:08 WIB | 359 Views
      Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - Two police officers died while two others were wounded and another one still unaccounted for following a shootout with an unknown armed group in Indiwa in the district of Lanny Jaya, Papua, at 12.45 local time on Monday.

      The two officers who were killed were Second Brigadier Zulkifli and Second Brigadier Prayoga, while the wounded officers were Second Brigadier Alex Numbery and First Brigadier Helsky Bonyadone.

      The spokesman of the Papua Police Command, Senior Commissioner Pubjo, confirmed the incident to Antara on Monday evening, saying that the incident had occurred while the officers were visiting villagers in a community counseling program.

      They were attacked while conducting the activity, he said.

      Reported by Evarukdijati
      (T.E006/H-YH/INE)
      EDITED BY INE
      (H-YH)
      (T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/C/H-YH)
      -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      4) Indonesia's new paradigm must include the past

      Pat Walsh |  28 July 2014

      The day after the result of Indonesia's presidential election was announced, I joined crowds of excited Indonesians at the Proclamation Monument in central Jakarta to celebrate president-elect Jokowi's election as Indonesia's seventh president.

      Did you see the rainbow? asked a supporter, pointing to a blurry photo on his mobile phone as Jokowi arrived to address the crowd and break the Muslim fast with them. I hadn't, but even if the heavens had opened and soaked everybody to the skin, it would have been taken as another sign that God too had voted for Jokowi.

      The monument commemorates the proclamation of Indonesia's independence from the Dutch made by Sukarno and Hatta in 1945. Their statues looked down on Jokowi as he proclaimed what many believe and hope is a new era in Indonesia, including its liberation from the twitching hand of Suharto's New Order. Many Indonesian commentators feel Prabowo's bid to have the result reversed in his favour by the Constitutional Court and threats to haul the Election Commission before the Parliament are no more than the New Order's death rattles.

      In his speech Jokowi did not rubbish Prabowo though he was entitled to given the dirty tactics employed against him and Prabowo's petulant claim on BBC that Jokowi was a fraud whose much lauded closeness to the people was fabricated for political purposes. The personal attack fell flat. I asked my taxi driver and a street vendor what they thought of the comment. Both said how proud they were that a wong cilik or little person like them could achieve the highest office in the country. It gave them hope, not just in Indonesia, but in themselves.

      In fact, Jokowi did not even mention Prabowo in his speech. It was as though Prabowo and what he stood for was no longer relevant. To avoid candidates of this kind running in future elections, the respected commentator Wimar Witoelar has proposed that aspirants for high office should receive endorsements from both Indonesia's respected Commission for Human Rights and its crusading Corruption Eradication Commission. It is to be hoped that a Jokowi administration will act on this proposal. It would enhance the quality of candidates, spare Indonesia considerable embarrassment and help eliminate impunity.

      The president-elect focused his comments on the contribution to his election made by volunteers, that is, civil society. His campaign achieved an unprecedented level of citizen participation that included millions of small donations from ordinary Indonesians and jealous monitoring of the count. This represents a substantial shift in Indonesia's political culture, the significance of which can only be appreciated by comparison with the Suharto era when the people were treated like children not citizens. Politics in Indonesia is no longer the exclusive domain of party machines, the elite and wealthy, or slick campaign advisers hired from the US.


      Jokowi made this point eloquently. Speaking from the deck of a magnificent traditional schooner late at night after the result was announced on 22 July, he surprised many by saying, 'There is happiness and goodness in politics ... it represents freedom.' He went on to applaud the sense of responsibility and optimism that 'has blossomed in the souls of the new generation' and the rebirth of the Indonesian tradition of 'voluntarism'.

      Jokowi has urged everybody to go back to work. His legions of supporters, however, are not about to vacate the scene and leave it all to him. His fans will hold him accountable.

      Before he spoke at the Proclamation Monument, a respected civil society leader, standing near the president-elect, read out a long list of the promises Jokowi had made during the campaign. The list included addressing past human rights violations. Behind him, conspicuous by his dark skin and indigenous headdress, stood a proud Papuan, a silent reminder to Jokowi of his campaign commitment to Papua and that it should no longer be off-limits to international journalists and human rights organisations.

      In an editorial following the election, The Jakarta Globe put it this way: 'Joko should dare to rewrite history and debunk the lies fed to Indonesians for far too long, while revealing the truth, no matter how bitter — including the real story behind the 1965–66 massacre and the other atrocities of the Suharto era. The victims deserve justice and Indonesia deserves to move forward into an open and more honest new era.'






      Jokowi promised a revolusi mental or paradigm shift in Indonesia. He is no revolutionary but a significant shift has clearly occurred and can be confidently expected to continue. Whether those around him like Megawati, the Wanandi brothers and ex-military Wiranto and Hendropriyono will allow the new paradigm to include the past, including crimes in Timor-Leste, will test both Jokowi and Indonesia's civil society to the maximum.
      Pat Walsh is currently visiting Jakarta. He co-founded Inside Indonesia magazine.

      Photo by Pat Walsh: President-elect Jokowi (white shirt) meets his volunteers at Proclamation Monument in Jakarta, 24 July 2014.




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      5) No crooks or human rights  abusers in new Cabinet:  Activists
      Yuliasri Perdani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | National | Sat, July 26 2014, 12:39 PM
      Human rights groups have called on president-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to fill the new Cabinet only with figures whose track records are free from corruption or human rights violations.

      “Jokowi must realize that his victory was due to the people’s support, thus he must not betray the people’s trust,” the program director of human rights watchdog Imparsial, Al Araf, said.

      He demanded that Jokowi avoid filling Cabinet posts with human rights abusers, in particular ministerial posts relating to legal, defense or security issues.

      “Some individuals around Jokowi have been implicated in human rights abuses. Jokowi must not chose anyone implicated in cases such as the Talangsari killings, the Tanjung Priok incident or the murder of human rights activist Munir,” he said in a telephone interview on Friday.

      A member of Jokowi’s campaign team, former National Intelligence Agency (BIN) chief Gen. (ret) Hendropriyono, faces accusations over his alleged involvement in Munir’s murder and the Talangsari case.

      Hendropriyono is among the candidates touted to enter Jokowi’s new Cabinet. Indo Barometer pollster has named him as potential coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister, along with former Army chief of staff, Gen. (ret) Ryamizard Ryacudu.

      Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) coordinator, Haris Azhar, concurred with Al Araf, saying that Jokowi, who will be sworn in as president on Oct. 20, must remain aloof from suspect businesspeople and politicians.

      On Thursday, Jokowi, through his website jokowicenter.com, launched an online poll called the “People’s Choice for an Alternative Cabinet”. In the poll three different names are suggested for each ministerial post in a Cabinet of 34 ministers. Respondents can also propose other names aside from the three available choices.

      Jokowi said that the poll result would be taken into account when he recruited his ministers.

      For the coordinating political, legal and security affairs minister post, the poll has presented three candidates — Indonesian Military (TNI) commander Gen. Moeldoko, former Army chief Gen. Budiman and former Jakarta governor and retired general Sutiyoso.

      Al Araf proposed Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) secretary-general Tjahjo Kumolo or Moeldoko as the best candidates to fill the post, while Haris opted for Moeldoko.

      “There is no problem with Moeldoko’s track record. But, the Corruption Eradication Commission [KPK] need to explain about the meeting between Moeldoko and Rudi Rubiandini prior to Rudi’s arrest,” Haris said, referring to the former Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKKMigas) chief, who has since been jailed for corruption.

      Analyst from the Indonesian Institute for Defense and Strategic Studies (LESPERSSI), Rizal Dharma Putra, suggested that senior PDI-P lawmaker and retired general, TB Hasanuddin, was best suited to fill the post.

      “TB Hasanuddin has experience in both military and political fields,” Rizal said.

      For the defense ministry post, Al Araf and Haris suggested Rizal Sukma, a renowned analyst and executive director of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). ”Rizal is known for his commitment in reforming the defense sector,” Al Araf said.

      Rizal Dharma Putra mentioned Andi Widjajanto, a defense expert at the University of Indonesia (UI) and a member of Jokowi’s campaign team, as the best contender. “Andi has excellent academic background, but it maybe not enough. We need a minister with practical ability,” he said.
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      1) Bodies of police officers killed by alleged separatists evacuated

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      0

      1) Bodies of police officers killed by alleged separatists evacuated

      2) Forum leaders urged to speak on West Papua

      3) Media Release: Ministers condemned for failing to meet Papuan journalist.


      5) Gunfight in Papua wounds soldiers

      -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

      1) Bodies of police officers killed by alleged separatists evacuated

      Selasa, 29 Juli 2014 09:32 WIB | 358 Views
      Jayapura, Papua, (ANTARA News) - The bodies of two police officers Zulkifli and Prayoga shot dead by suspected separatists are in the process of evacuation to Jayapura, Papua, on Tuesday.

      The body of the Zulkifly was in the process of evacuation from Wamena and that of Prayoga from Tiom to Wamena and from Wamena to the provincial city, Deputy chief of the Papua police Brig. Gen. Paulus Waterpaw said on Tuesday.

      Evacuation of the two bodies to Jayapura could not be made at once as the body of Prayoga was found only on Monday afternoon that it could not be carried to Wamena at once, Waterpaw said.

      "Hopefully the process of evacuation could be carried out without incident," he said.

      The two were killed in an ambush in the regency of Lanny Jaya at Jalan Pirime leading to Maki where Papua police chief Ins. Gen Tito Karnavian and his party were attacked by a group of armed civilians in 2012.

      The road on a steep mountain slope is winding making whoever in the road an easy target of ambush, Waterpauw said.

      The village of Indawa is around 10 kilometers from Pirime or 45 km from Tiom, the municipal town of the regency of Lanny Jaya.

      Papua police spokesman Sr. Comr. Sulistyo Pudjo said the four police officers in the group were hit at the ambush in the district of Lanny Jaya.

      They were on duty to give local people greater awareness of law, Sulistyo said here on Tuesday

      Zulkifli and Prayoga were hit on the head and died and the two other were wounded, he said.

      "We condemn the attack . It is contemptible as the offices were carrying out social duty," he said.

      Awareness of law is expected to implant a characteristic to think and practice democracy , he said.

      Police want to help the people keep pace with the fast changing situation and bring modernity to the isolated areas, he added.

      The mass guidance activities would contribute greatly to the program of the regional and district administrations in social affairs development, he added.

      He said police are determined to catch the perpetrators, adding they have to be responsible for the crime they committed.

      He said police are tracking down the group of criminals in coordination with the military.

      Papua remains a hot spot for the country with separatist rebels still hiding in mountain jungles waiting for any opportunity to attack .

      They also incite local people especially those in isolated areas to join them against the government.  
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      http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/250863/forum-leaders-urged-to-speak-on-west-papua


      2) Forum leaders urged to speak on West Papua

      Updated at 9:30 am today


      The Pacific Islands Forum leaders in Palau have been urged to discuss human rights violations in West Papua.
      The Australian West Papua Association says the leaders need to make a public statement of concern in its official communiqué, just as the MSG leaders did at their meeting in Noumea last year.
      The AWPA also called on the forum leaders to urge the new Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, to release all West Papuan political prisoners unconditionally as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people.
      The AWPA secretary, Joe Collins, says West Papua is the one territory in the Pacific where the deteriorating human rights situation could lead to instability in the region.
      He says the forum can play an important role in helping to facilitate a dialogue between genuine representatives of the West Papuan leadership and the Indonesian Government.
      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      3) Media ReleaseMinisters condemned for failing to meet Papuan journalist.
      West Papua Action Auckland,

      Box 68419
      ,

      Newton.

      29 July 2014

      Media ReleaseMinisters condemned for failing to meet Papuan journalist.

      West Papua Action Auckland is shocked that that Ministers Coleman and Tolley have decided against giving  even a brief time to meet with visiting Papuan journalist Victor Mambor  (Chair of the Papua Chapter of the Association of Independent Journalists , AJI).

      New Zealand has military training ties to the Indonesian military and recently piloted training programmes for the police in West Papua.  So Ministers Coleman and Tolley who have Defence and Police responsibilities should not pass up this priceless opportunity to meet with a key observer and commentator on events in Indonesian controlled West Papua.   

      Victor is among the most influential journalists in West Papua. He operates as a mediating influence between Indonesian authorities and the leadership of Papuan groups. This year Victor made a powerful impact at the UN Human Rights Council and before the European Parliament as he advocated for a free press, justice and human rights in his homeland.

      West Papua is largely closed to the outside world but in the internet age there is abundant documentation of police and military abuses.  Security forces continue to operate with ruthless impunity and arrests for raising a flag or calling for an election boycott are commonplace.

      In a recent Herald article by journalist Paul Bensemann, Victor described our proposal to give aid to the West Papuan police as "aid that kills" link below:

      Our Government decided to back Indonesia fifty years ago when it assumed control of the territory against the wishes of the Papuan people.  It is well past time for us to listen to independent Papuan voices. 

      For further information: Maire Leadbeater 09-815-9000 or 0274-436-957

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      http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2014/07/nz-ministers-asked-to-meet-with-visiting-west-papuan-journalist/

      4) NZ ministers asked to meet with visiting West Papuan journalist


      West Papua journalist and editor Victor Mambor (second from left) with members of the West Papua Action Auckland and Pacific Media Centre during a visit to the PMC office in Auckland. Image: Del Abcede/PMC
      Pacific Scoop:
      Report – By Anna Majavu
      New Zealand Police Minister Anne Tolley and Defence Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman must meet with the first West Papuan journalist to visit New Zealand, says a spokesperson for West Papua Action Auckland.
      Victor Mambor, 39, editor of the Jayapura-based newspaper and websiteTabloid Jubi, and chairperson of West Papua’s Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) is in New Zealand this week and visited the Pacific Media Centre yesterday.
      He will also address a seminar on “West Papua: The Pacific’s secret shame” in Auckland at the weekend.

      West Papua Action Aucklandspokesperson Maire Leadbeater said: “New Zealand has for yearsprovided military training to Indonesian officers and recently ran police training, as a pilot programme, in the territory. In 2011 an officer from the notorious Kopassus special forces attended a military training course here, despite the sad record of Kopassus murdering Papuan independence leaders.”
      Mambor told independent journalist Paul Bensemann earlier this year that New Zealand’s police training of Indonesians was nothing more than “aid that kills”. The programme is currently on hold.
      Mambor has campaigned internationally for greater press freedom in West Papua, including early this year at the European Parliament. He has written about police raids on local media offices, “fake journalists” who work for the police and military, and the disappearances and deaths of Papuan activists.
      His organisation AJI documented 20 threats or attacks against journalists in 2013.
      Human rights
      The Australian West Papuan Association said today that the 45th Pacific Islands Forum meeting this week in the Republic of Palau must discuss the human rights situation in West Papua and make a public statement of concern regarding the human rights situation in the territory in its official communiqué as did the Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders did in their official communiqué in Noumea in 2013.
      The PIF must also urge the new Indonesian President to release all West Papuan political prisoners unconditionally as a sign of good faith to the West Papuan people.
      Meanwhile, American CBS TV reports that a group of surfers who set out to film West Papuan’s undiscovered surf spots have instead made a documentary that sheds light on genocide and an unethical mining corporation. The surfers were appalled by the human rights atrocities they encountered in West Papua and made the film Isolated.
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      http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/250879/gunfight-in-papua-wounds-soldiers

      5) Gunfight in Papua wounds soldiers

      Updated at 1:09 pm today



      Three Indonesian soldiers have suffered gunshot injuries following an attack in the province of Papua.
      The Jakarta Globe reports the attack, allegedly by a separatist group, targetted a military post in the Tingginambut area of Papua's Puncak Jaya district.
      The soldiers were reportedly patrolling near the post when a group attacked the post, leading to an exchange of fire, which eventually forced the attackers back into a nearby forest.
      The soldiers were taken to Jayapura for medical treatment.
      A Papuan military spokesman, Rikas Hidayatullah, refused to comment
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      1) Police to chase armed group members in Lanny Jaya

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      1) Police to chase armed group members in Lanny Jaya

      2) Regional police command sends reinforcements to Lanny Jaya

      3) Two Papua Police Officers Shot Dead in Alleged Separatist Attack

      4) PRESS RELEASE  OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF WEST PAPUA




      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


      1) Police to chase armed group members in Lanny Jaya

      Selasa, 29 Juli 2014 23:19 WIB | 310 Views
      Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - Papuas regional police command chief Brigadier General Yotje Mende said here on Tuesday that the police would chase the armed civilian groups that had attacked police personnel in Lanny Jaya on Monday.

      "We will continue chasing them. As the chief of regional police command, I will never surrender to the demands of the armed criminal groups," he said.

      He said he had also asked the TNI (military) to assist in the effort.

      Yotje Mende meanwhile had claimed that the armed group involved was led by Puron Wenda.

      Based on data the police had gathered, the group was led by Puron Wenda and Enem Wanimbo.

      "It is the group of Puron Wenda and Enem Wanimo we are now tracking down. Legal actions will be taken against them," he added.

      First Brigadier Zulkifli and Second Brigadier Prayoga had died during a shootout with members of the armed civilian groups in Indiwa in the district of Lanny Jaya on Monday.

      Two other police personnel meanwhile had sustained wounds in the incident.

      The police members were carrying out a community counseling program when they were attacked leading to a shootout.

      Reported by Musa Abubar
      (H-YH/INE)
      EDITED BY INE
      (H-YH)
      (T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/B/H-YH) 

      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      2) Regional police command sends reinforcements to Lanny Jaya

      Selasa, 29 Juli 2014 21:52 WIB | 329 Views
      Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - The chief of Papuas Regional Police Command had deployed reinforcements to Lanny Jaya following a recent attack by an armed civilian group in the district that claimed the lives of two police officers.

      "The forces will be increased to search for the armed civilian group members," the commands chief Brigadier General Yotje Mende said here on Tuesday.

      Papua Regional Police Command deputy chief Brigadier General Paulus Waterpauw was reported on Tuesday leading the forces to Tiom in Lanny Jaya by plane.

      Yotje said that although additional forces had been sent to Lanny Jaya, no emergency status had been imposed in Indiwa where the incident had occurred.

      "I did not say that Lanny Jaya is under the highest alert status. There is not such status, as it has been implemented for a long time," he said.

      He however said that the police would not surrender to their actions. "We will chase them and track them down," he remarked.

      He said the special team that had been sent to the district was still at the scene of the incident. "We have sent a special team and they are still on location," he added.

      First Brigade Zulkifli Ardianto and Second Brigade Prayogo had died in the shootout while visiting the region for a community service program.

      Reported by Musa Abubar
      (H-YH/INE)
      EDITED BY INE
      (H-YH)
      (T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/B/H-YH) 

      ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/news/two-papua-police-officers-shot-dead-alleged-separatist-attack/

      3) Two Papua Police Officers Shot Dead in Alleged Separatist Attack

      By Banjir Ambarita on 03:28 pm Jul 29, 2014
      Category CrimeNews
      [Updated at 3:38 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, 2014]
      Jayapura. A group of armed men, alleged to be part of a Papuan separatist group, on Monday afternoon shot at eight police officers in a village in the Lany Jaya district, resulting in two casualties and six injuries.
      Papua Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Pudjo Sulistyo said the officers were training residents of Indawa village when the armed group attacked them.
      “After the attack, the armed group ran away and returned to the forest,” Pudjo said on Tuesday.
      The two victims have been identified as Second Brig. Yoga Ginugy, who was shot in the belly, and Second Brig. Zulkifli D. Putra, who was shot in the head. Both died at the scene.
      Two of the injured officers were identified as Second Brig. Alex Numbery and Second Brig. Helsky Bonyadone.
      Papuan police and military officers have joined together in a manhunt for the perpetrators.
      “We should condemn [such violence] strongly, as those police officers were on human resources development duty, giving training in the village so that residents in Papuan villages will have legal awareness, be smarter and are enabled to face changes,” Pudjo said. “The role of the police institution in building people’s character is very important in a democratic society, especially to support the development programs for district heads and governors.”
      National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Ronny F. Sompie said in a report by state-run Antara news agency that the armed group was led by separatist leader Enden Wanimbo.
      “Officers who were injured have been evacuated to the Wamena General Hospital,” Ronny said.
      He added that the Papua Police deputy chief, director of intelligence and security as well as the head of Papua’s mobile brigade would head to Lany Jaya on Tuesday to provide additional security and arrange an operational strategy for the local district police.
      Ronny said the shooting had taken place a 90-minute drive from the Lanny Jaya district police station, or two hours from Wamena.
      The assault came on the same day as an attack by an unidentified armed group against a military post in the Tinggi Nambut area of Papua’s Puncak Jaya district.
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      4) PRESS RELEASE  OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF WEST PAPUA
      FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF WEST PAPUA

      Address :Istana Kepresidenan

      Kantor DAW MAMTA: Jln.Batu Dua.


      Distrik Sentani Selatan,Kampung Sabron Yaru -Jayapura – Papua



      July 29, 2014

      PRESS RELEASE  OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF WEST PAPUA

      On  January 15, 2014, Forkorus Yaboisembut  President of the Federal Republic of West Papua smuggling and sent  letter from jail in Jayapura to Tuiloma  Neroni Slade Secretary General Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat  Suva, Fiji. President therefore  strongly appeal  to the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) to grant Federal Republic of West Papua full membership status  and recognition  for our full Political independence from Indonesia. The Federal Republic of West Papua is Executive Government.


      The People of West Papua are of Pacific - Melanesian  stock / race and have closer affinity  and or share common customs and  traditions with the people of  Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands,Vanuatu, Fiji, New Caledonia, Australia, Cook Islands, Federal States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa,Tonga and Tuvalu.

      As the President, I on behalf of my people hereby extend our gratitute and appreciationin in advance for your government’s attention  and concern on  West Papua especially its human rights issues  such  as the human rights abuse  of  all forms   and Self Determination in West Papua and our aspiration to be free and independent. This abuses and  attrocities will never end for as long as Indonesian is still occupying West Papua.

      Transitional  government of the Federal Republic of West Papua is now taking  full resposibility to implement some of the resolutions passed at the Third Papuan People’s Congress. We are running of admistration throughout of West Papua.


      On July 21, 2014, President, Prime Minsiter and refered to “Jayapura Five” were freed  and  very strongly control of the transitional government of the Federal Republic of West Papua in  West Papua.


      Thank you for your  highest consideration.

      Sincerely

      Yoab Syatfle

      Special Staff of President and Prime Minister

      +6281344564159

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      1) Video-Catherine Delahunty's motion in NZ Parliament re media freedom in West Papua

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      1) Video-Catherine Delahunty's motion in NZ Parliament re media freedom in West Papua

      2) Two policemen dead, four  rifles missing in Papua 

      3) Papua Military command ready to help overcome armed groups

      4) Old song, a new singer: will Jokowi’s reign bring liberation for West Papua?



      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       1) Video-Catherine Delahunty's motion in NZ Parliament re media freedom in West Papua

      http://www.inthehouse.co.nz/video/34268



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      http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/95089/papua-military-command-ready-to-help-overcome-armed-groups

      2) Papua Military command ready to help overcome armed groups
      Rabu, 30 Juli 2014 17:16 WIB | 280 Views
      Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - The chief of the Papua Regional Military Command, Major General Christian Zebua, has expressed TNIs (military) readiness to assist the police in dealing with armed groups that have been causing restlessness in the region.

      "We are ready to offer our services in overcoming the armed groups that have recently attacked civilians as well as security personnel," he said to ANTARA News here.

      He said he condemned the shooting incidents involving the groups in the Papua inland regions.

      Regarding the form of assistance the TNI will provide, he said that as the situation is still under civil order status, he would only prepare personnel who could be used immediately in case they were required by the police.

      The TNI will remain behind the police and support every action they carry out, he affirmed.

      He said personnel in Wamena had been made available to be embedded in the police force.

      In the last two months, four people including two police officers had been killed by civilian armed groups in the region.

      They had carried out attacks in Tingginambut, district of Puncak Jaya, and Tiom, district of Lanny Jaya.

      (Reported by Evarukdijati/E006/H-YH/INE/KR-BSR/A014)

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      3) Two policemen dead, four  rifles missing in Papua 
      Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Tue, July 29 2014, 5:09 PM
      Two police officers from the Pirime police office in Lanny Jaya district, Papua, were shot and killed on Monday by a group of armed insurgents in Nugume Village. The two policemen were among eight police officers en route to meet citizens of Maki village.
      The eight policemen were riding in the same car when they were ambushed by a group of men, allegedly led by Puron Wenda, in a region near the village of Nugume. The two officers who died in the ensuing firefight were identified as Second Brig. Alex Numberi and First Brig. Heskia.
      “The insurgents also took four rifles before the car took off down the street and fell into a steep ravine,” Papua police spokesman Sr. Comr. Pudjo Sulistyo said.
      The bodies of the fallen officers have been sent to their families for burial. (dic)

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      4) Old song, a new singer: will Jokowi’s reign bring liberation for West Papua?

      RON KARENI | JUL 30, 2014 9:41AM | EMAIL | PRINT

       

       

      Outgoing Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono maintained the status quo with West Papua during his two terms in office, but West Papuans are hoping president-elect Joko Widodo’s rule will be different, writes Ron Kareni.


      With last week’s release by the Indonesian government of five West Papuan political prisoners and more foreign media shining a light on the deteriorating human rights situation in West Papua, Indonesia is under increasing pressure to open the region to the outside world. 

      The Indonesian constitution and international law supports the idea of exercising rights to peaceful protest without prosecution, but Indonesia’s arbitrary detention of peaceful political activists in West Papua contradicts this. Many West Papuans have been and continue to be jailed for so-called “crimes” and sentenced to three to 15 yearssuch as Filep Karma, who peacefully raised the outlawed Morning Star flag in 2004 and was convicted of treason for 15 years, and Forkorus Yaboisembut and Edison Waromi, who were among the five released last week, jailed in 2011 on convictions of “subversion“ for reading out a “declaration of independence” from Indonesia.
      The crime of subversion, which accounts for so many West Papuans still incarcerated, is an old Dutch law reconstituted by Sukarno, the first president of Indonesia, on May 1, 1963the day the United Nations gifted the territory and people of West Papua to Indonesia. Many West Papuansand sometimes even their relativesare arrested by Indonesian authorities for simply attending political demonstrations, being politically active or joining political organisations, or for engaging in civil resistance activities.

      The searing indictment on Indonesia’s policies and military practices shows at least 71 political prisoners (on record) still behind bars. The ongoing exploitation of the Indonesian constitution de-legitimises and censors pro-independence groups and maintains offensive restrictions on West Papua’s freedom of assembly and expression.

      Outgoing Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono’s two terms in office have proven Jakarta’s impeccably futile policy on West Papua. The stalemate continues, with West Papua’s statehood facing a political climate of inaction, denial and marginalisation, with unprecedented challenges of increased division of regencies, increased convictions for corruption to undermine the struggle for self-determination and inadequate action on a culture of impunity.

      Well-placed Indonesians in Jakarta claim Yudhoyono believes West Papua should be free but doesn’t want to stand charged with violating his state’s long-standing policy of “territorial integrity”. Jacob Rumbiak, a West Papuan academic who spent years in jail with Waromi, said: “The Indonesian state demands absolute loyalty from its citizens, and its institutions have always been charged with defending its territorial integrity. In the service of those imperatives, anything the international community would consider illegal has always been quietly legalised.”

      Although Rumbiak believes Joko Widodo, Indonesia’s President-elect, will be as bound by centralism and territorial integrity as previous presidents, most civil society groups in West Papua welcome Jokowi’s win and his ambitious campaign declaration to allow foreign journalists into the region. The big challenge awaiting Jokowi is tackling the underlying grievances of West Papua’s political status and international pressure on human rights abuses. Until these are addressed, the common saying in West Papua remains: “An old song sung by a new singer”.

      Rumbiak was speaking from the Federal Republic of West Papua office in Melbourne Docklands, opened last month by Yarra councillor Amanda Stone. “West Papuans have always rejected the New York Agreement that rendered us Indonesian. It was drawn up by foreignersprincipally the US, Netherlands, Indonesia, and Australia … and set up the genocidal conditions for Melanesian West Papuans that are now, finally, being reported on,” he said.

      Rumbiak added, “The state we raised in 2011 is what West Papuans have determined they want. It stands on UN principles, not the machinations of a few unprincipled foreign governments. That’s why so many Australians are paying the rent on our office in Docklandsthey believe in us, and the future of West Papua.”


      Peter Woods, a supporter of West Papua who regularly visits the country, insists Australia’s national interestand relationship with Indonesiawould be better served if Australian politicians address rather than ignore the Federal Republic of West Papua. “East Timor is a good example. Indonesia’s illegal occupation was eventually overthrown by the East Timorese people and the good citizens of the world, but accommodated by successive Australian governments. We shouldn’t allow ourselves to be isolated in the region again. Australia should use its position in the UN Security Council to undo the travesty wrought upon West Papuans 52 years ago.”

      1) Papua to build hospital for HIV/AIDS patients

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      1) Papua to build hospital  for HIV/AIDS patients

      2) Women Commission demands investigation of violence in Papua

      3) Komnas Perempuan wants  Papua probe

      4) TNI soldier wounded in ambush evacuated to Jayapura

      5) Lanny Jaya official calls for arrest of armed group members

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      1) Papua to build hospital  for HIV/AIDS patients
      The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Archipelago | Mon, August 04 2014, 12:09 PM
      The Papua provincial administration plans to build a hospital especially for the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients, an official has said.
      "So far the treatment of HIV/AIDs patients has been discriminatory. There must be a hospital specifically to treat those infected by HIV/AIDS," head of the Papua Health Office Aloysius Giyai said in Jayapura on Monday as quoted by Antara news agency.
      Papua is one of the country's regions most infected by the deadly disease.
      "Patients had thus far received little attention, which was why the hospital had to be built for them,” he said.
      “The location [for the project] has already been chosen,” Aloysius added. Construction is expected to begin in 2015.
      “Not only AIDS/HIV positive patients, the specialized hospital will also be treating patients with leprosy and other diseases like 'frambusia' skin,” he said.
      The Papua provincial administration also plans to build a general hospital in Jayapura. Construction of the general hospital will start after the construction of the HIV/AIDS hospital, Aloysius said. (hak/hhr)


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      2) Women Commission demands investigation of violence in Papua

      Minggu, 3 Agustus 2014 14:58 WIB | 699 Views

      Photo document of Papuan pepole in Lanny Jaya. (ANTARA/Rico Siregar)
      Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has called for full investigation and prevention of more violence in Lanny Jaya District of Papua and use of excessive security approach.

      "Komnas Perempuan regrets the recurrence of armed violence between armed civilian groups and security personnel, which has caused casualties, wounded and displaced persons in Lanny Jaya district," the National Commission said in a press statement received here on Sunday.

      The National Commission urges all parties, both the armed civilian and police personnel to exercise restraint, to stop the violence and armed conflict, prioritizing non-violent means of persuasion and dialogue to resolve problems and conflicts.

      In investigating the issue, the Commission has asked police officers not to use a security approach in dealing with the armed group, fearing possible excessive use of it may increase concern amongst the people of Lanny Jaya leading to mass evacuation.

      "(The commission) also demands local Papua Provincial and Lanny Jaya District governments to ensure no recurrence of various other forms of violence and armed conflict, as well as safe and convenient situation for the people to run their daily activities," stated the commission.

      Besides, the government needs to facilitate the refugees to return to their homes, ensure protection of the rights of the residents including those who were displaced to ownership of their properties such as land, houses, gardens, and livestock.

      The local government is also asked to involve community leaders and local human rights workers in dealing with cases of violence, to intensify efforts in improving the quality of life of the people to create a true peace in Lanny Jaya district, the National Commission for Women added.

      The Commission also encourages community leaders and local human rights workers to continue to play a constructive role in assisting and protecting the public, continue to work with various stakeholders, especially the local governments, in creating more equitable, peaceful and prosperous life of the people.
      (Uu.A050/H-YH)




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      3) Komnas Perempuan wants  Papua probe
      The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Mon, August 04 2014, 7:58 AM
      The National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) has called for a full investigation into violence in the Lanny Jaya regency of Papua and the use of an excessive security approach there.
      “Komnas Perempuan regrets the recurrence of armed violence between armed civilian groups and security personnel, which has caused casualties and displaced persons in Lanny Jaya regency,” Komnas Perempuan said in a press statement as quoted by Antara news agency on Sunday.
      The commission urged all parties, to exercise restraint, stop the violence and prioritize non-violent means to resolve any problems.
      Komnas Perempuan also asked police officers not to use an excessive approach in the regency, as it could lead to mass displacements.
      Two police officers and a civilian were killed and several police officers were wounded in an attack by a civilian armed group on Monday.
      The Indonesian Military (TNI) launched a manhunt on Friday, killing five members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) thought to be responsible for Monday’s attack.
      ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      4) TNI soldier wounded in ambush evacuated to Jayapura

      Jumat, 1 Agustus 2014 18:39 WIB | 779 Views
      Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - An Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel, First Private Rohman, wounded in gunfire between the authorities and an armed group in Pirime, Lanny Jaya district, Papua, on Friday, was evacuated to the Marthen Indey Hospital in Jayapura.

      First Private Rohman was airlifted using a Tariku Air plane from the Tiom Airport in Lanny Jaya district and arrived in Jayapura Airport, on Friday, at 3.55 p.m. Eastern Indonesian Time.

      Meanwhile, five members of the outlawed Free Papua Organization (OPM) were reportedly killed during the ambush in Lanny Jaya district, according to Cenderawasih Military Commander Major General Christian Zebua.

      "Yes, five OPM members were killed in a shootout at 11 a.m. Eastern Indonesian Time in Lanny Jaya district. Two soldiers suffered minor injuries," Christian stated when contacted by an Antara reporter in Jayapura on Friday.

      (Uu.A060/INE)
      Reporting by Evarukdijati and Alfian Rumagit
      EDITED BY INE
      (H-YH)
      (T.A060/B/KR-BSR/C/H-YH) 
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      http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/95111/lanny-jaya-official-calls-for-arrest-of-armed-group-members

      5) Lanny Jaya official calls for arrest of armed group members

      Kamis, 31 Juli 2014 17:41 WIB | 753 Views
      Jayapura, Papua (ANTARA News) - Lanny Jaya District Head Befa Jigibalon has urged the Indonesian military and police to arrest the members of an outlawed armed group that have disturbed security in the district so far.

      "I urge the senior officials of the military and police to take strong action and arrest the members of the armed group who have harmed the public and security officers," Befa Jigibalon stated here on Thursday.

      Their brutality was beyond the limits of humanity and affected the development in the region, and therefore, they should be stopped, he emphasized.

      The armed groups members recently shot dead three people, including two police officers in Lanny Jaya.
      (Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR/A014)
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      Photos of John Rumbiak award presentation for 2014 in Auckland

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      Paula Makabory and Anne Noonan present the John Rumbiak award for 2014 to NZ Green MP Catherine Delahunty and Maire Leadbeater of West Papua Action Auckland at the seminar  on 'West Papua: The Pacific's Secret Shame' in Auckland







      1) Tension Heats Up in Papua

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      1) Tension Heats Up in Papua



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      TUESDAY, 05 AUGUST, 2014 | 15:36 WIB
      1) Tension Heats Up in Papua
      TEMPO.COJakarta - Papua swirls in another hot tension as another shooting took place in Lanny Jaya Regency, Papua. The Free Papua Organization (OPM) ambushed a convoy of Police Mobile Brigade on Monday morning, August 4, injuring one police member.
      "We opened fire. I request the government to pull back the troops from Papua. Papua wants freedom," said Purom Okiman Wenda, OPM Commander of Lanny Jaya. "If you want to die, please come. We do not shoot all people. We only shoot police and troops."
      He added that bothe the police and army will not be able to catch them, given the harsh terrain that provides Purom's group protection. "The chase use, we chase them back. We only have arrows. They have guns. We'll see who wins this fight," said Purom.
      In response to the ambush, Papua Police Spokesman Senior Commissioner Sulistiyo Pudjo said that the militia led by Purom Wenda has a motive of disturbing social development activity. Pudjo added that the convoy was inbound to pick teachers in Lanny Jaya, before facing the ambush.
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      http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2014/08/nz-jakarta-are-colonisers-talking-to-colonisers-says-mana-party/

      2NZ, Jakarta are ‘colonisers talking to colonisers’, says Mana party speaker


      Pacific Scoop:
      Report – By Anna Majavu
      Indonesia’s ban on foreign journalists, torture and sexual assault by the military, and the New Zealand government’’s cosy relationship with Indonesia –- one of “”colonisers talking to colonisers””, according to a Mana Party spokesman – were discussed at a weekend seminar.
      The Auckland seminar heard from Victor Mambor, editor of Tabloid Jubi and thought to be the first West Papuan journalist to have visited New Zealand, West Papuan exile Paula Makabory, as well as Australian-based activists, academics, members of Parliament and political party candidates in the upcoming election.
      Mambor told the audience about journalist Ardiansyah Matra’is, who worked for Mambor’’s newspaper, Tabloid Jubi. Matra’is was killed in 2010 by the Indonesian military, and found naked and handcuffed, having been thrown into a river.
      Two other journalists – Leiron Kogoya and Marlon Mramra -– had been killed in the last six years over stories they had written, one for covering a story about police who raped a civilian in the police station, Mambor said.
      In the same period, seven foreign journalists had been denied visas to West Papua and another five deported when they were caught by the military. Those foreign journalists who were allowed to report were assigned an Indonesian intelligence officer to tail them everywhere, whether they liked it or not, whose accommodation, food and transport costs were charged to the media organisation.
      To make matters worse, government funding was allocated to media organisations which agreed to “write “something good”” and the police had channelled funds directly to journalists who helped them cover up acts of violence by security forces, Mambor explained.
      A new law amendment stipulates that local authorities would control the media, and that stories and broadcasts will have to be based on Islamic values, whereas most of the West Papuan population is Christian.
      Stressful reporting
      Independent New Zealand journalist Paul Bensemann, the only New Zealand journalist to have reported from West Papua in recent years, said the ban on foreign journalists meant that it was stressful reporting undercover from West Papua.
      Constantly hiding from Indonesian police and intelligence operatives also meant that foreign journalists feared for the safety and wellbeing of their West Papuan sources, he said.
      Maire Leadbeater of West Papua Action Auckland said the New Zealand government had “a long history of betrayal of West Papua”.
      The NZ government supported the colonisation of West Papua, first backing the Dutch colonisers in a bid to ensure that West Papua did not turn communist, and then after the invasion by Indonesia, deciding that New Zealand’s basic long term interest was in the establishment and maintenance of a stable and friendly Indonesia, and that self-determination for West Papua was ““only a slogan”.”
      “
      “Our policy is unfortunately still pretty much the same”,” said Leadbeater. The New Zealand government had resumed defence ties with Indonesia in 2007, refused to meet Benny Wenda in 2013 and banned him from speaking in Parliament.
      Joe Collins, secretary of the Australian West Papuan Association said there was growing solidarity in Australia, with about a dozen solidarity organisations in existence, a large West Papuan community in Melbourne, a Morning Star football league and a successful freedom flotilla supported by indigenous Australians having been held.
      Vast resourcesBut Paula Makabory, a West Papuan exile living in Melbourne, cautioned that West Papua made up one quarter of Indonesia’’s land mass and had vast resources of nickel, copper, oil, gas and timber and so Indonesia was unlikely to willingly grant it independence.
      She said the indigenous West Papuan population had decreased significantly from 96 percent in 1971 to 59 percent in 2005, while the non-Papuan population had increased dramatically over the same period from 4 percent to 41 percent and so West Papuan cities were now mainly Indonesian.
      The indigenous population was likely to be further decimated through attacks by Indonesian police and the military. 81 percent of households live in poverty because military attacks often see whole villages fleeing into the jungle where they live as refugees with no food, medicine, far away from their farms.
      Nearly four million hectares of forest have been given to corporations for logging, further reducing natural resources.
      Repression was still very real. “”Tanks will be used to stop peaceful rallies. Indonesian police that have been trained by the NZ government are using guns to stop peaceful rallies. Just for raising the Morning Star flag, the police will come at you. It is like soccer in a field. Just come and kick, this is after the training by the NZ police,”” Makabory said.
      Makabory showed photos of soldiers posing with a dead West Papuan, that the soldiers had taken to “show off their “trophy””. She also showed a photo of her brother with his intestines hanging out of his body.
      ““If you do this [kill West Papuans to use as 'trophies'] you will be promoted to high ranks,”” she said.
      ‘Dismal record’
      Pacific Media Centre director Professor David Robie said the New Zealand media had an “”absolutely appallingly dismal record”” in covering West Papua, with the exception of a few independent journalists and Radio NZ International.
      The NZ mainstream media had “no tradition of independent international reporting”, was dependent on foreign news agency services and had no dedicated foreign news editors who could make judgments based on their in depth knowledge of the situations of countries in the Asia-Pacific region, said Dr Robie.
      He said the PMC had frequently run stories about the “black spot” lack of coverage on West Papua in the media and cited the 2011 Pacific Media Watch media freedom report in the region.
      “The Pacific Media Centre has encouraged students to put a lot of attention into West Papua. “We believe it is the major human rights issue in the Pacific but it is very hard to get that message across into mainstream media, so the only alternative is for independent media to do as much as it can,” Dr Robie said.
      He pointed out that foreign journalists based in Jakarta were granted permission to visit and report on any of Indonesia’s 17,000 islands, except for West Papua, and risked having themselves and their media organisation’s news bureau expelled from Indonesia if they breached this.
      Dr Robie showed statistics of how mainstream media virtually ignored West Papua.
      He cited examples of how independent journalists reporting under cover had exposed realities in West Papua to the rest of the world and he praised the work of people such as SBS’s Mark Davis and Fairfax Media’s Michael Bachelard in putting Indonesia’s new media policies to the test.
      Repression techniques
      Dr Elizabeth Stanley from Victoria University said the various techniques of repression used by Indonesia mirrored the abuses Jakarta had meted out in the former colony of East Timor, invaded by Indonesia in 1975.
      Torture victims were nearly always civilians or rural farmers. The display of bodies was used to create fear. Repression took place through everyday social controls, curfews, searches, prevention of gatherings and training done by the New Zealand police had helped to further “normalise” militarised life.
      Dr Stanley said that Victoria University was “a provider of training to Indonesian police” and when Indonesian dignitaries visited, the university vice-chancellor’’s office gave them a warm welcome. To make matters worse, many Indonesian officers who committed crimes against humanity in East Timor had now been transferred to West Papua.
      Networks of spies and informers, and well funded militias who carried out abuses by proxy were other repressive techniques. The courts propped up this repression –- only five of of 74 state killings between 1995 and 2005 made it to court.
      Indonesia relied on foreign governments being reluctant to take a stand for West Papua for fear of jeopardising trade relations, such as the NZ government which recently proclaimed that Indonesia’’s “dark days” were over and that it was now a full blooded democracy.
      The seminar had also invited all the political parties to present their positions on West Papua but only the Internet, Mana and Green parties showed up. All pledged their support for a free, decolonised West Papua, the release of all prisoners and an immediate end to torture.
      The Mana Party’s candidate for Mangere, James Papali’i, also slammed the New Zealand government.
      “”Our government seems to be collaborating with Indonesia. These are colonisers talking to colonisers. The situation is a shame, it is quiet and nobody knows about it,”” he said.
      Several speakers referred to the “groundbreaking” cross-party parliamentary motion by Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty for a “free media” and in support of human rights in West Papua.
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      3) PM flies out to Indonesia

      PRIME Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo left Palau Thursday night after his bid to get Dr Jimmy Rodgers to lead the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat failed.
      He was accompanied by a few of his officials while his special secretary Dr Philip Tagini was left behind to assist other officials during Friday’s post forum dialogue sessions.

      Mr Lilo was enroute to Indonesia where he will officially open the country’s recently established high commission.

      He arrived in Palau, Tuesday, from Cuba where he travelled to witness the graduation of first Solomon Islands medical students studying in Cuba.

      The 45th Pacific Islands Leaders Forum officially closed yesterday and officials begun leaving last night.

      Solomon Islands officials who participated in post-forum dialogue sessions yesterday include Foreign Affairs minister Clay Forau and his Permanent Secretary Beraki Jino, Economic Planning and Aid Coordination minister Connelly Sandakabatu and his Permanent Secretary Jeremiah Manele, Dr Tagini, and the country's high commissioner to Fiji Patteson Oti.

      Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said he met with fellow Pacific Islands’ Forum Leaders during which time they held a number of bilateral meetings that covered business linkages and PNG’s development support to island states.

      These meetings included discussions with leaders and ministers from Niue, the Cook Islands, Nauru, Palau, Samoa and New Zealand.

      PM O’Neill highlighted Papua New Guinea’s ongoing regional development assistance that is being delivered to island states and has seen up to K300 million already spent or committed over several years.

      “In our bilateral meetings we considered means for enhancing trade and investment between our countries,” the Prime Minister said.

      “We also considered the ways in which Papua New Guinea is supporting development in our broader region as our economy grows.

      “It is important that we continue to ensure that we take other Pacific Island countries with us when we prosper in our own country.

      “Papua New Guinea has an obligation to be taking the lead role in ensuring that these things happen.

      “Through our discussions with many of the leaders of the region we are also seeking to ensure that PNG businesses continues to have access to other markets so as to invest and employ more people. This investment then generates income for nations and their people.

      “That way it will continue to change living standards in their respective communities.”

      During the bilateral meetings the Prime Minister took on board requests for assistance and considered perspectives relating to regional economic development.

      The President of Niue President, Toke Talagi, in his meeting with PM O’Neill, expressed interest in PNG providing assistance for the reconstruction of Niue’s National Parliament building. The PM indicated his support for Niue in advancing the project and suggested that Niue develop a proposal for discussion with Papua New Guinea to secure the funding.

      Requests for support from other economies included technical advice on seabed mining, and enhancing development in key sectors that include healthcare and agriculture.

      PM O’Neill has invited all leaders to attend the 46th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting that will take place in Port Moresby in July 2015 and will coincide with Papua New Guinea’s hosting of the 2015 Pacific Games.

      By OFANI EREMAE
      In Palau
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