1) 1 suspected Papuan separatist dead, 4 arrested

1) 1 suspected Papuan separatist  dead, 4 arrested

2) GUNFIGHT KILLS ONE IN PUNCAK JAYA

3) DEVELOPMENT THREATENS PAPUAN MANGROVE FORESTS

4) Free West Papua Campaign calls for election boycott

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http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/03/18/1-suspected-papuan-separatist-dead-4-arrested.html

1) 1 suspected Papuan separatist  dead, 4 arrested

A joint police and Indonesian Military (TNI) patrol has killed a suspected separatist and arrested four others in Papua.

"The military and police encountered the illegally armed men in Kota Mulia, a regency of Puncak Jaya, on Saturday," Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian said in Jayapura on Tuesday as quoted by Antaranews agency.

The military and police were on a joint patrol heading to Kota Mulia when the officers encountered the men, who then started shooting at the patrol, Tito said.

One of the men was wounded in the encounter and died en route to a local hospital, Tito explained, adding that two of four had also been injured but had received treatment at hospital.

Tito said the patrol found 29 bullets after searching the suspected separatists. (***)

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http://tabloidjubi.com/en/?p=1664

2) GUNFIGHT KILLS ONE IN PUNCAK JAYA

Jayapura, 17/3 (Jubi) – Indonesian security forces have arrested members of an armed civilian group during a gunfight that killed one person in Mulia district, Puncak Jaya Regency on Thursday (13/3).

Papua police chief  Inspector General Tito Kanarvian told reporters in Jayapura on Monday (17/3) that gunmen fired shots at soldiers and police conducting a joint patrol in Mulia.

One attacker was killed and two others injured in the firefight.
“The other suspects were being detained at the Papua Police Headquarters for further questioning,” Tito said. (Jubi/Indrayadi TH)

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http://tabloidjubi.com/en/?p=1666

3) DEVELOPMENT THREATENS PAPUAN MANGROVE FORESTS

Timika, 17/3 (Jubi) – Increasing  development in the lowland areas of Timika is fueling deforestation and threatening mangrove forests, raising the potential impact of  climate change.

“We see a serious threat to the lowland areas because many protected areas are already being converted into development areas,” said best management practice specialist with USAID Indonesia Forest of Climate Support (IFACS), Prianto Wibowo, on Monday (17/3) in Timika.

Wibowo said the opening of mangrove forest areas to development would have an impact on peat-land forests as their damage would cause high levels of abrasion. He said his office would work closely with the National Land Agency (BPN), which has the power to issue certificates for mangrove forest clearance.
“We will work closely with BPN so we can have information which locations already have certificates in order to determine steps to protect the mangrove forests,” he said.

He added he also would focus on areas of high conservation value since taking into account the ecosystem, endangered species, and  socio-cultural services.
“We would not only protect the animals, but also other interests. We would support the conservation of mangrove forests as it is local heritage,” said Prianto.

Separately, Deputy Chief of Party of USAID IFACS, Neville Kemp, said the mangrove forest is the second biggest forest in the world after the Sundarbans, covering areas in Mimika and Asmat.
“So Mimika and Asmat have outstanding natural resources that currently must be protected because there are some investors who come to these areas,” he said.

Kemp also said in order to preserve the existing natural resources, the collaboration between all related stakeholders is required.
“All stakeholders are expected to play an important role in protecting the mangrove forests for the future. So there needs to be a clear framework for each stakeholder about their position, role and responsibility as well as their right in order to maintain the sustainability of the mangrove forests,” Kemp said. (Jubi/Eveert/rom)

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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/239098/free-west-papua-campaign-calls-for-election-boycott

4) Free West Papua Campaign calls for election boycott

Updated at 7:14 am today

 

The Free West Papua campaign is calling on ethnic Papuan people to boycott upcoming elections in the disputed Indonesian province.

A campaigner, Benny Wenda, says voting in the provincial elections, held by Jakarta, would only allow Indonesia's control of the province to continue.

The chair of the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association, Pastor Alan Nafuki, is supporting Mr Wenda's call.

He says Papuans hold divided opinions on who they are, and what they want.

But Pastor Nafuki believes a referendum for West Papua's self-determination is preferable over the elections.

"Now a lot of people are talking about a referendum, that's one option. The other one would be if they would ask other bodies, like other governments of the world to assist."

Alan Nafuki says West Papua needs the support of the United Nations to achieve self determination, something Indonesia refuses to consider.