Bintang Papua, 27 July, 2011
Abridged in translation by TAPOL
Jayapura: The news that the International Lawyers for West Papua is to hold a meeting in the UK on 2 August has led to a variety of responses.On the one hand, there are those who think this will be of no positive benefit for Papua.
The Central Presidium of the National Struggle of the Papuan People regards this as nothing more than ‘romanticism of history’. This was the view of the organisation’s chairman, Arkilaus Baho, speaking at a press conference. He was of the opinion that it would be more useful to have talks between the Indonesian government and the TPN/OPM like the talks that were held some time ago held with GAM about Aceh. He expressed the view that both the TPN (the armed wing of the OPM) and the Indonesian government would be prepared to hold talks. ”These talks could be held before the end of 2011,’ he said.
But Usama Usman Jogobi , speaking at another press conference together with his colleagues, said that he enthusiastically supports the holding of this conference.Usama is the co-ordinator of SDHRP, Democratic Solidarity and Human Rights of the Papuan people. He hoped very much that all sections of the Papuan people would support this meeting. ‘We support it whole-heartedly,’ he said.’We very much hope that the decisions taken at the conference will contribute towards resolving the continuing conflicts in Papua,’
Mako Tabuni, chairman of the National Committee of West Papua (KNPB) also expressed support for the event. He went further, saying that his organisation was planning to organise a peaceful demonstration outside the DPRP head office on 2 August. ‘I have received an acknowledgement (to my request) from the police about this event. ‘I am quite quite certain that this peaceful demonstration will take place,’ he said.
Related articles
- ‘West Papua – The Road to Freedom’ conference, Oxford, UK, Aug 2 (westpapuamedia.info)
- The hope for Papua’s freedom: ‘Go International’ (westpapuamedia.info)
- Sorry: Indon Army Backs Down Over Threats (westpapuamedia.info)
- Freeport’s Ippkh Does Not Benefit Papuan People (westpapuamedia.info)
- Indonesian Army shoot mother and 3 children in “crossfire” in Kalome, West Papua, as offensive escalates (westpapuamedia.info)