Australia categorically rejected Papuan independence Sunday saying it could not lead to a viable nation and would “completely rupture” ties with Indonesia were Canberra to weigh in.
Foreign Minister Bob Carr said public opinion in Australia was “in
support of Indonesian sovereignty over the two Papuan provinces” and
though Canberra pressed Jakarta on human rights in the region its own
position was firm.
“Our opposition to Papuan secessionism is founded on pragmatism and principle,” Carr told Sky News.
“The position in international law is Indonesian sovereignty, and while
we make representations as required about human rights issues there...
we are unequivocal.”
The issue was thrust into the spotlight last week when an Australian
documentary crew raised questions about the involvement of Indonesian
counter-terrorism police in the shooting of independence figure Mako
Tabuni.
Canberra said it had appealed to Indonesia for a full and open inquiry
into Tabuni’s death and continued to press its neighbor on human rights
in the restive province.
Carr on Sunday denied that Papuan independence was a matter of
diplomatic concern between the nations but counseled Australians,
particularly religious and trade union groups, against supporting the
separatist movement.
“The cost of engaging at a serious level in that sort of activity would
be a complete rupture in Australia-Indonesia relations,” the foreign
minister said.
“It would serve no good whatsoever because the nation that they would be
seeking to create would not be viable, and were it to be created — and
that is inconceivable — Australia would be picking up the bill.”
Poorly armed separatist groups have for decades fought a low-level
insurgency in resources-rich Papua, a Dutch colony annexed by Indonesia
in 1969 and granted special autonomy in 2001.
Agence France-Presse
Comments
As Carr said “The cost of engaging at a serious level in that sort of activity would be a complete rupture in Australia-Indonesia relations,”
and the cost of not engaiging noting is only the human rights and the lives of hundredtousands of Papuans. Carr made a shameful decisson, but I´m sure most Australians don´t agree with him and value the basic human rights higher than good bussines relations.
Australian regime is suffering from double moral standards. Not surprising phenomena in the Anglosphere.
They said: "Our opposition to Papuan secessionism is founded on pragmatism and principle,”
They forgot all the principles that cause Australia to become an independent democratic country.
Papuans were NEVER get a fair chance to express their opinion about the Indonesian occupation. Australia, the USA and the rest of the Anglosphere supported the oppression of Papuans, because it was easier to deal with the corrupt Indonesian regime on exploitation of the natural resources of West Papua. Shame on them and their everlasting hypocrisy!
Yanur (22?)
As an Indonesian citizen I will support any Indonesian govt that stops abusing its own people
we all know the united states told the dutch to leave in 1962 so they could control the freeport mine, indonesia is just doing america's bidding.
I agree Joko
If RI paid attention to the standard of living there and gave back some of what it steals then I suspect the issue of separatism would all but vanish
But since 1963 they have been nothing more than a source of income for RI and its most corrupt - I hope it can change
The eyes of the world are on Indonesia over Papua. Australia's opinions are largely free of principles.
Mr Carr you do not speak for most Australians. Please shut up. As Jubal said, Carr prioritises US interests in the region, but he also epitomises Australia's recently adopted servile position to Indonesia's rising power, where Australia would prefer to be amenable than to resist and object. I don't know what Carr is referring to when he cites international law as supporting Indonesian sovereignity over an illegally annexed state rife wih human rights abuses carried out by its colonisers, but Australian public opinion does not reflect a unanimous wish to see Papuans further disenfranchised and abused. I think actually Carr is worried that public opinion would easily be stirred to support independence movements and as foreign minister his job is not to persuade Australians one way or another on foreign issues but only to frame the debate with honest and accurate information. I would also hope his diplomacy consists less of ingratiation and more of integrity.
The land of Papua doesn't belong to Indonesians is much like the continent of Australia doesn't belong to White Australians. Man... Your Australian ancestors killed lots of Aboriginal people back then. Don't act like Australia is "clean".
Read about extinct Tazmanian Aborigins.
Give back Australia to Aborigins and back to Europe, then I'll agree to support independence of Papua... :)
As an Indonesian, I will support Indonesia to separate Papua IF the White Australians also agree to give the Australian continent back to the Australian Aborigins and then back to Europe. How about that? Fair? :)
Australia walked out from PNG and till today , fails to pick up the bill. This is the right call, a very practical call. All Asia pacific rim countries need is trade among each other to improve quality of life for all.
Time to move toward development...
And what happened to the Serbian sovereignty when Canberra acknowledged the Republic of Kosovo (population < 2 million) in February 2008?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosovo_independence_precedent
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_recognition_of_Kosovo
Wondering why the verb "rejects" in this headline doesn't really resonate with exuberance. Preparing to give the benefit of the doubt remains to be seen solely by the people of this nation.
Really?? Hmm, I beg to differ. What has happened to the old East Timor's fiasco?? Too many countries meddling in the cookie jar. This is public history and news. No mystery in that...
“Our opposition to Papuan secessionism is founded on pragmatism and principle,” Carr told Sky News.
Oh Really!
Let the record show , Australia walked away from PNG within 24 hrs,destroyed and flatten the country till today, guess what, Australia refuses to pick up the bill.
Never trust Australian politicians! They're known for betraying their Indonesian counterparts. Indonesians should learn from the case of East Timor.
And aren't we glad that nobody really cares what Bob Carr thinks?
Bob Carr, you are completly out of your depth as Foreign Minister.
For homework, go read about the history of the illegal plebiscite that resulted in Indonesia's occupation of Papua.
Then familiarise yourself with your government's craven kow-towing to US interests in Papua, and learn why you have been instructed to take this stance.
In the meantime, go and stand in the corner.
bob carr is a washed up has been, I think australia said the same thing about timor timur, bob should state his sources regarding australian public opinion.