[Much abridged in translation by TAPOL]
Indonesian ambassador: UK supports NKRI
The Indonesian embassy in London is aware of plans to hold a Summit Conference by the International Lawyers for West Papua (ILWP) on 2 August.
The Indonesian ambassador, Yuri Thamrin said that such a conference is nothing out of the ordinary, and said that people in West Papua should not let themselves be provoked by such an event.
'Here in this country. Britain, there is a functioning democratic system , which means that such a conference can be held. That's quite normal, and I doubt whether it will reverberate much,' he said.
He told Bintang Papua that this seminar is aimed at cornering Indonesia in the international community. 'The aim is reflect an image to the outside world, as if Britain has their support.I can state quite clearly,' he said, 'that the British government fully supports the integrity of Indonesia, as has been stated by Prime Minister David Cameron, as well as a minister named Lord M Brown (sic) in the statement he made on 19 July this year.'
They support NKRI (Negars Kesatuan Republik Indonesia) by which they mean the entire territory of the Dutch colonial possession, he said. As regards the question of self-determination, in the sense of creating a new state, he said that in accordance with international law, that happened in 1945 and that can only happen once. 'The territory of Indonesia is recognised by the international community,' he said.
He went on to say that Pepera - the Act of Free Choice - took place in 1969 and it is final.
Referring to the states of Sabah and Serawak, they became part of Malaysia, a decision that was decided by the just a few people. So, according to Ambassador Thamrin, the process of determining the wish of the people was much better, more legal and more dignified., 'So I think that the way it was done in1969 was much better.'
He also said that the ILWP seminar in Oxford is only being attended by people of the same idelogy. 'Discussions there will just be about this and that. People holding different views will not be allowed in,' he said, without explaining what views he meant.