1) Vanuatu PM
reaffirms West Papua position to Jakarta
2) NZ urged to
lobby for release of journalists in West Papua
3) Airsoft guns confiscated at Sentani
Airport
4) SBY thanks
McCain for US support to modernize RI military
5) LP3BH
visits two Papuans arrested on 8 August
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1) Vanuatu PM reaffirms West Papua position to Jakarta
Vanuatu PM reaffirms West Papua position to Jakarta
Updated at 6:42 am today
Vanuatu's Prime Minister Joe Natuman has reconfirmed his government's support for West Papuan independence aspirations to Indonesia's government.
While acknowledging the cordial relationship between Vanuatu and Indonesia, Prime Mr Natuman reminded the visiting Indonesian Ambassador to Vanuatu Nadjib Riphat Kesoema of Vanuatu's firm position in support of the West Papuan struggle.
The Prime Minister says while there are clear disagreements between the two countries, Vanuatu and Indonesia should be able to discuss sensitive issues in an amicable way and find the best way forward.
Mr Natuman took the opportunity to inform the Indonesian ambassador of forum planned for Port Vila later this month at which various West Papuan groups will converge to discuss a potential bid to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
Ambassador Kesoema says the needs of the indigenous people of West Papua are being taken into account as the country continues its democratisation.
Updated at 6:42 am today
Vanuatu's Prime Minister Joe Natuman has reconfirmed his government's support for West Papuan independence aspirations to Indonesia's government.
While acknowledging the cordial relationship between Vanuatu and Indonesia, Prime Mr Natuman reminded the visiting Indonesian Ambassador to Vanuatu Nadjib Riphat Kesoema of Vanuatu's firm position in support of the West Papuan struggle.
The Prime Minister says while there are clear disagreements between the two countries, Vanuatu and Indonesia should be able to discuss sensitive issues in an amicable way and find the best way forward.
Mr Natuman took the opportunity to inform the Indonesian ambassador of forum planned for Port Vila later this month at which various West Papuan groups will converge to discuss a potential bid to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
Ambassador Kesoema says the needs of the indigenous people of West Papua are being taken into account as the country continues its democratisation.
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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/252004/nz-urged-to-lobby-for-release-of-journalists-in-west-papua
2) NZ urged to lobby for release of journalists in West Papua
Updated at 6:42 am today
A West Papua action group is urging New Zealand and other Pacific nations to lobby Indonesian authorities for the immediate release of two French journalists.
Thomas Dandois and Valentine Bourrat were reporting in the Indonesian-controlled Papua region for a French-German television station when they were arrested.
They are being held for violating immigration regulations but the police say they are suspected of promoting instability.
A spokesperson for West Papua Action Auckland group, Maire (mai-ree) Leadbeater (led-better), says New Zealand's parliament only recently passed a resolution supporting media freedom in West Papua.
"This is a perfect opportunity really for the Government to put that resolution into action and to make a strong plea to the Indonesian authorities to release those two journalists."
A spokesperson for West Papua Action Auckland, Maire Leadbeater.
Reporters without Borders has also called for the release of the two journalists.
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3) Airsoft guns confiscated at Sentani Airport
Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura | Archipelago | Mon, August 11 2014, 5:43 PM
The Papua Police confiscated on Monday 16 airsoft guns of varying shapes and sizes from the cargo of a Garuda Indonesia airliner traveling from Jakarta to Jayapura at Sentani Airport in Jayapura, Papua.
Papua Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Paulus Waterpauw said the guns had likely been sent to Merauke and Timika, both regencies in Papua, based on the receiver addresses listed on the packages.
“There is no sender’s address on the package, but the address of the receiver is stated clearly and we will investigate it. After checking, it was found that the airsoft guns do not have complete documents,” Waterpauw said.
The airsoft guns were confiscated in an operation led by Sentani Airport Police (KP3) chief First Insp. Jubelina Wally and included airsoft versions of the Jericho 941, Goferne M 1911, Revolver, Glock 26 pistol, APS Caribe, Seklerko, and the WG riffle. The police have stored the airsoft guns at the KP3 office at Sentani Airport for further investigation. (ebf)
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4) SBY thanks McCain for US support to modernize RI military
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | World | Tue, August 12 2014, 6:06 PM
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has thanked visiting US senator John McCain for his country’s support to help modernize the Indonesian Military’s (TNI) weaponry system.
“We thank the US Congress, especially for its military cooperation, including in modernizing our military weaponry system,” Yudhoyono said as he welcomed McCain to the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, as quoted by Antara news agency.
Yudhoyono said that Indonesia’s military weapons had not been sufficiently modernized for almost 20 years. With stronger defense cooperation, he added, it was hoped that Indonesia and the US could work more closely to help create a more stable and peaceful Asian region. Only in such conditions could Indonesia and other countries develop their economic potential, he went on.
Yudhoyono asserted that Indonesia rejected the use of military action to solve problems, and instead would continue to put forward political and diplomatic approaches to create stability in the region.
In 1991, the US Congress banned Indonesia from buying US weapons to upgrade its military weapons system, following allegations of gross human rights violations in Santa Cruz, East Timor.
All weaponry systems must be rejuvenated regularly.
After more than 20 years, the US agreed to sell its military weapons — both new and used — to Indonesia, including three of the 24 units of F-16 Fighting Falcon Block 521Ds once used by the US National Air Force Reserves.
In a recent development, the Indonesian Army said it planned to buy eight units of AH-64D Apache fighting helicopters from their manufacturer, the Boeing Company.
If the plan is realized, the Army will operate two types of fighting helicopter at once, namely Mil Mi-35Ps from Russia and AH-64D Apaches from the US. (put/ebf)
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5) LP3BH visits two Papuans arrested on 8 August
The LP3BH Lawyers and Human Rights team, represented by Theresje
Julianty Gasperzs, met two Papuans, Roberth Yelemakan and Oni Wea at
6pm on the day they were arrested. The two suspects, Yelemakan, 16
years old, and Oni, 21 years old were taken into custody for allegedly
committing a crime which the police failed to specify.
The police said that they could not as yet say which article in
the Criminal Code had been violated by the two men, one of whom is a
16-year old schoolboy, while the other is a 21-year old student. The
report regarding their alleged crime had not yet been received by the
criminal branch of the regional police force in Manokwari.
Despite the fact that the police report regarding the crime
allegedly committed by the two men had not yet been received, the
police took action without any regard for the legal basis concerning
the alleged crime and immediately started to maltreat the two men.
The two arrested men told their lawyer G'aspersz that they had
been asked by some other people to take a tin of paint and paint the
words, 'illegal Indonesia', 'hold a referendum' and paint the symbolic
Kejora Flag and the Red-and-White flag.on the wall.
These activities which occurred at 3 o'clock that morning had
been noticed by a few members of the Indonesian Navy who happened to
be standing outside the Marina Living Quarters and saw what they were
doing.
These naval officers then phoned the police force in Manokwari
as a result of which two members of the police in civilian dress
immediately arrested the two Papuans and started to treat them with
violence.
Robert who is quite a small fellow as he is only 16 years old,
was beaten on the head with the barrel of a rifle, and was then
covered in paint and kicked several times in the face by a policeman
and a naval officer.
They were then taken to the headquarters of the Manokwari police
where they were kicked and beaten a number of times by the officers
who happened to be on duty at the time. They were then shoved into a
cell and have been kept there ever since.
The LP3BH is now preparing a power of attorney in accordance with
legal requirements to appoint lawyers to act on behalf of the two
suspects.
The LP3BH has also called on the police chief in Manokwari to
guarantee that the two suspects be guaranteed full protection in
accordance with articles 50, 51, 54, 55 and 56 of the Criminal Code
and on the basis of the principle of the presumption of innocence.
The two Papuans should under no circumstances be treated with
violence during the time that they are held in police custody and
should be assured that they will receive legal assistance in
accordance with the request that has been conveyed to the LP3BH by
their families.
Peace
Yan Christian Warinussy, Executive-Director of LP3BH- Manokwari.
[Translated by Carmel Budiadjo]
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