1) Palace
Preparing for Abbott’s Arrival, Talks
2) Jakarta
s Warmer Ties with Melanesian States
3) Seek asylum
to Australia , Papua New Guinea Sent to the fact
5) Protest after West Papuan refugees deported
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1) Palace Preparing for Abbott’s Arrival, Talks
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono reportedly spent his Friday morning preparing for his first meeting with Australia’s new prime minister, Tony Abbott, scheduled for next week.
“This Friday morning, SBY was at the Presidential Palace to prepare the agenda ahead of the Australian Prime Minister’s visit,” said presidential spokesman Heru Lelono in Jakarta on Friday.
The Foreign Ministry announced that Abbott would be in Indonesia next Monday and Tuesday to hold talks with President Yudhoyono on economic and sociocultural cooperation, and regional and global issues.
“PM Tony Abbott’s visit to Indonesia is expected to improve bilateral ties, which have so far thrived under the comprehensive partnership scheme,” Teuku Faizasyah, the president’s spokesman on international issues, said on Friday.
But Abbott’s top priority, driven by promises made during an election campaign that saw him take power, is clear from his choice of traveling companions. Besides his foreign minister, Julie Bishop, the Australian leader will be accompanied on Monday by his minister for immigration, Scott Morrison.
This is because the issue sure to receive most attention next week is the flow of asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat, which Abbott has staked his political reputation on stemming. Success depends to a large degree on cooperation from Indonesia, as the final transit point for most asylum seekers.
Abbott’s public posturing, however, has been calibrated for domestic consumption, and has had exactly the opposite effect in Indonesia, where plans to deploy more Australian Federal Police and use the Australian navy to “turn back the boats” has stirred strident opposition.
The Golkar Party has urged the government to strongly reject Australia’s plan to forcefully turn back asylum-seeker boats coming from Indonesia, saying on Thursday that the policy would entail Australian authorities entering Indonesian waters.
“What both countries need to do is to work together and forge strong cooperation on programs that prevent illegal immigrants from entering Australia,” Theo L. Sambuaga, the party’s deputy chairman said in a press release.
Tantowi Yahya, a Golkar member of the legislative commission that oversees foreign and defense affairs, said that Abbott’s plan should be firmly opposed.
Tantowi said the plan was offensive and urged Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa to reject the policy.
“The consensus between the government and the House is to oppose the plan proposed by Prime Minister Tony Abbott. The policy hurts Indonesia’s sovereignty,” Tantowi said.
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Saturday 28 September 2013
The Straits Times (Singapore)
Opinion
Bruce Gale, Senior Writer
FOR some years now, it has been the West and China that have been wooing the South Pacific island states. But recent diplomatic initiatives by Papua New Guinea (PNG) and other Melanesian states suggest that these countries may now be actively looking to Indonesia and the other Asean countries to give them greater freedom to manoeuvre.
In mid-June, PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill led a delegation that included business leaders on a three-day visit to Jakarta. This was the second meeting between Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Mr O'Neill, after a similar consultation on the sidelines of the Bali Democracy Forum last year.
A series of landmark bilateral accords were inked in June; the result may well see Indonesia becoming an important player in Melanesia, a collection of island states in the south-western Pacific.
These include PNG, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Fiji. Culturally and ethnically distinct from Asian populations to the north and east, as well as Polynesians to the west, Melanesians have in recent years come to regard themselves as forming a distinct geo-political unit.
Relations between Indonesia and the Melanesian states have been cool since 1969, when Jakarta controversially annexed Papua, the Dutch half of New Guinea, with the approval of the United Nations.
Critics of the move argued that the native Melanesian tribes were prevented from expressing a free choice. Papuan separatists have long since been using the 750km-long and mostly mountainous border area between PNG and Indonesian territory to evade Jakarta s security forces.
Reports of torture and extra-judicial killings of Papuan pro-independence activists by the Indonesian military have also strained ties with the Melanesian nations.
Ties with PNG were further complicated in 2009, when Indonesian graft suspect Djoko Tjandra fled to Port Moresby, PNG s capital. He was subsequently granted PNG citizenship.
Then, in January last year, PNG newspapers reported that Port Moresby had threatened to expel the Indonesian ambassador from the country over an incident that allegedly took place the previous November. Reports said two Indonesian military aircraft almost collided with a plane carrying senior PNG officials returning from Malaysia. Indonesia said the problem was the result of technical glitches involving flight clearance data.
In June this year, however, the long history of mistrust between the two countries seemed to be coming to an end. Dr Yudhoyono and Mr O'Neill agreed to negotiate an extradition treaty, made arrangements for PNG communities living near the Indonesian border to draw on their neighbours excess hydroelectric capacity, and began discussions on an air travel agreement that would allow direct flights between Port Moresby and Jakarta. There has even been talk of possible joint exploitation of oil and gas reserves believed to lie in border areas.
Last month, it was the turn of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo. He met the Indonesian leader at the presidential palace in Bogor, at which both countries agreed to step up cooperation in trade and other fields. Jakarta and Honiara already had technical cooperation agreements, but Mr Lilo s visit marked the first time a Solomon Islands leader had visited the country.
Jakarta's positive response towards what might otherwise be regarded as an economically insignificant region appears designed to head off growing support within the independent Melanesian states for Papuan separatism.
Earlier this year, demands by indigenous Papuans of Melanesian descent for independence from Indonesia were discussed by the Melanesian Spearhead Group, a regional trade grouping, at a summit in New Caledonia. Indonesia has responded by inviting Melanesian leaders to visit its side of the border to see for themselves how indigenous groups are treated.
Earlier this month, Mr O'Neill called for engagement with Indonesia on the issue, saying he was "encouraged" by Jakarta s response.
In rethinking their approach to Indonesia, PNG and the Solomon Islands appear to be looking to South-east Asia as they seek to balance the growing influence of Australia, the US and China. Jakarta, for example, now appears ready to support Port Moresby s application to join Asean. The Solomon Islands maintains a "Look North" policy, and plays host to Malaysian investors. Fiji employs Malaysian companies on road projects.
Encouraging trade and investment is yet another motive. Trade between Indonesia and PNG, Melanesia s largest economy, was worth a mere US$15.88 million (S$19.9million) last year. But it has been growing by over 17 per cent annually in recent years.
Although unofficial, Melanesian sympathy for Papuan separatism remains deep-seated. Vanuatu, for example, has already expressed reservations about Indonesian assurances.
Indeed, it may only take a few more reports of further human rights violations by the Indonesian military towards Papuans to undermine the entire fence-mending process.
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The Straits Times (Singapore)
Opinion
Bruce Gale, Senior Writer
FOR some years now, it has been the West and China that have been wooing the South Pacific island states. But recent diplomatic initiatives by Papua New Guinea (PNG) and other Melanesian states suggest that these countries may now be actively looking to Indonesia and the other Asean countries to give them greater freedom to manoeuvre.
In mid-June, PNG Prime Minister Peter O'Neill led a delegation that included business leaders on a three-day visit to Jakarta. This was the second meeting between Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Mr O'Neill, after a similar consultation on the sidelines of the Bali Democracy Forum last year.
A series of landmark bilateral accords were inked in June; the result may well see Indonesia becoming an important player in Melanesia, a collection of island states in the south-western Pacific.
These include PNG, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Fiji. Culturally and ethnically distinct from Asian populations to the north and east, as well as Polynesians to the west, Melanesians have in recent years come to regard themselves as forming a distinct geo-political unit.
Relations between Indonesia and the Melanesian states have been cool since 1969, when Jakarta controversially annexed Papua, the Dutch half of New Guinea, with the approval of the United Nations.
Critics of the move argued that the native Melanesian tribes were prevented from expressing a free choice. Papuan separatists have long since been using the 750km-long and mostly mountainous border area between PNG and Indonesian territory to evade Jakarta s security forces.
Reports of torture and extra-judicial killings of Papuan pro-independence activists by the Indonesian military have also strained ties with the Melanesian nations.
Ties with PNG were further complicated in 2009, when Indonesian graft suspect Djoko Tjandra fled to Port Moresby, PNG s capital. He was subsequently granted PNG citizenship.
Then, in January last year, PNG newspapers reported that Port Moresby had threatened to expel the Indonesian ambassador from the country over an incident that allegedly took place the previous November. Reports said two Indonesian military aircraft almost collided with a plane carrying senior PNG officials returning from Malaysia. Indonesia said the problem was the result of technical glitches involving flight clearance data.
In June this year, however, the long history of mistrust between the two countries seemed to be coming to an end. Dr Yudhoyono and Mr O'Neill agreed to negotiate an extradition treaty, made arrangements for PNG communities living near the Indonesian border to draw on their neighbours excess hydroelectric capacity, and began discussions on an air travel agreement that would allow direct flights between Port Moresby and Jakarta. There has even been talk of possible joint exploitation of oil and gas reserves believed to lie in border areas.
Last month, it was the turn of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo. He met the Indonesian leader at the presidential palace in Bogor, at which both countries agreed to step up cooperation in trade and other fields. Jakarta and Honiara already had technical cooperation agreements, but Mr Lilo s visit marked the first time a Solomon Islands leader had visited the country.
Jakarta's positive response towards what might otherwise be regarded as an economically insignificant region appears designed to head off growing support within the independent Melanesian states for Papuan separatism.
Earlier this year, demands by indigenous Papuans of Melanesian descent for independence from Indonesia were discussed by the Melanesian Spearhead Group, a regional trade grouping, at a summit in New Caledonia. Indonesia has responded by inviting Melanesian leaders to visit its side of the border to see for themselves how indigenous groups are treated.
Earlier this month, Mr O'Neill called for engagement with Indonesia on the issue, saying he was "encouraged" by Jakarta s response.
In rethinking their approach to Indonesia, PNG and the Solomon Islands appear to be looking to South-east Asia as they seek to balance the growing influence of Australia, the US and China. Jakarta, for example, now appears ready to support Port Moresby s application to join Asean. The Solomon Islands maintains a "Look North" policy, and plays host to Malaysian investors. Fiji employs Malaysian companies on road projects.
Encouraging trade and investment is yet another motive. Trade between Indonesia and PNG, Melanesia s largest economy, was worth a mere US$15.88 million (S$19.9million) last year. But it has been growing by over 17 per cent annually in recent years.
Although unofficial, Melanesian sympathy for Papuan separatism remains deep-seated. Vanuatu, for example, has already expressed reservations about Indonesian assurances.
Indeed, it may only take a few more reports of further human rights violations by the Indonesian military towards Papuans to undermine the entire fence-mending process.
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A google translate of article in Bintangpapua. Be-aware google translate can be a bit erratic.
Orioginal bahasa at
Saturday, September 28, 2013 06:14
3) Seek asylum to Australia , Papua New Guinea Sent to the fact
JAKARTA - As Reported detikNews quoted by ABC Australia , that a group of West Papuan independence activists who had sought asylum in Australia , was rejected by the Australian immigration , so the plane directed his flight to Papua New Guinea after being menjejakan foot on mainland Australia .
The ABC they said that they were told would be flown to the mainland of Australia .
However , soon after the plane ride and the door is closed , a new immigration officer tell if they lead to Papua New Guinea .
Yacob Mandabayan , members of the West Papua National Authority said the group was trying to seek asylum in Australia .
He said the fear of being tortured by Indonesian authorities because they hold a symbolic ceremony with the Freedom Flotilla activists who left Australia some time ago to garner attention and concern about the fate of West Papua .
4 people Mandabayan and her male colleagues , a woman and a 10 -year -old child to leave Papua few days ago and wade through the PNG border .
ABC correspondent in Papua New Guinea , Liam Fox said the group had made it into Australia through Boigu Island with local fishermen rescued and met with Australian officials in the Torres Strait .
After a few days in the interviews , they were taken to Horn Island in the Torres Strait before being asked to board the plane on Thursday.
Mandabayan told before boarding the plane they were told it would be taken to the mainland of Australia , but the story changes when they were on the plane .
" When we were inside the cabin of the plane and the door was closed , the man of immigration told that they would not fly to mainland Australia but will be returned to Papua New Guinea , " said Mandabayan .
" I asked why brought to PNG , they just answer this mandate and state immigration office and as they determine that. "
" We are very sad and so mad , this is really disappointing , " he said .
Fox said the group of West Papuan asylum seekers was welcomed by officials of the International Organization for Migration ( IOM ) and taken to a hotel near Port Moresby .
This group continued to refuse is sent back to PNG because they believe Indonesian citizens in his community had been infiltrated by spies .
If the West Papuans are saying is true , then this is a new way that the Australian applied in the treatment of asylum seekers .
" Previously the usual Australia directly to send asylum seekers to a processing center on Manus Island or Nauru , an unprecedented case like this . "
Immigration Minister Scott Morrison is currently on an official visit in PNG , but not willing to comment on the incident . ( Binpa/aj/l03 )
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Posted at 21:26 on 27 September, 2013 UTC
The International Organisation for Migration has confirmed it was approached by the Papua New Guinea government to assist seven West Papuans who were brought to Port Moresby by Australian Immigration officials this week.
The seven - including a 10 year old boy - reached Boigu Island in Australia’s far north by boat on Tuesday after fleeing from Merauke in Indonesia’s Papua province.
Seeking asylum in Australia, they claim to have been persecuted by Indonesian security forces for their involvement in the West Papua Freedom Flotilla campaign earlier this month.
However after detaining the group, Australia Immigration officials deported them to Papua New Guinea’s capital, Port Moresby and left them in the hands of the PNG government and the IOM, putting them up in a local hotel.
The newspaper, The Australian, reports that human rights and refugee advocates have expressed alarm at Canberra’s swift disposal of the seven, claiming the West Papuans have been subjected to illegal treatment and put at risk of repatriation in order to avoid diplomatic ripples with Indonesia.
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5) Protest after West Papuan refugees deported
ALISON BEVEGE | September 27th, 2013
Lauren Mellor, of Ludmilla, at the protest. Picture: HELEN ORR
A GAGGLE of protesters stormed the Darwin offices of the Department Immigration and Citizenship after the shock deportation of six West Papuan refugees to Port Moresby.
The small group held placards and chanted “stop the deportations'' before they entered the Cavanagh St office at lunch time today.
Protester Vaughn Williams met a wall of silence as he asked Departmental staff why they were sending West Papuan activists back to Indonesia.
"Have you heard of the TNI or Kopassus? Are you sending them back to be killed?'' he asked.
"The Papuans helped us in World War II.''
Departmental worker Katya Peart told the protesters to put their concerns in writing as she evicted them from the office.
Project co-ordinator Sophie Edwards, 29, of Larrakeyah, said Australia had an obligation to protect West Papuan asylum seekers.
"It is quite shocking,'' she said.
The group of Papuans including a woman and a 10-year-old child fled in a tinnie to Boigu Island in the Torres Strait on Tuesday.
The Department of Immigration has refused to answer any questions about them and has deported them to the Papua New Guinean capital within 48 hours.
They landed in the Papua New Guinean capital this morning.
Asylum seeker advocates fear they may be deported straight back to Indonesia as Papua New Guinea signed an extradition treaty with Indonesia in June, a month before Kevin Rudd announced Australia would process and resettle asylum seekers in the Pacific nation.
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