1) RNZ undeterred by Indonesian protest over Papua coverage

2) Pacific church endorses self-determination in region

3) Grasberg mine contract extended

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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/337403/rnz-undeterred-by-indonesian-protest-over-papua-coverage

1) RNZ undeterred by Indonesian protest over Papua coverage

4:14 pm today 

New Zealand’s public broadcaster says a protest in Indonesia won't deter it from covering West Papua.

Protest against RNZ coverage of West Papua, outside the New Zealand embassy in Jakarta. Photo: Supplied

Last week about twenty people protested about RNZ Pacific's coverage of West Papua in a demonstration outside the New Zealand embassy in Indonesia's capital Jakarta.

Among placards on display were messages accusing RNZ of being manipulated by Papuan separatist interests in its coverage.

One placard called for bilateral relations between Indonesia and New Zealand to be cut.

RNZ's chief executive Paul Thompson said the broadcaster was surprised by the protest against its on-going coverage of West Papua.

He said he had received no complaints about RNZ Pacific coverage which had been fair, accurate, and independent.

According to Mr Thompson, RNZ would continue to assiduously report on issues in the region.

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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/337381/pacific-church-endorses-self-determination-in-region

2) Pacific church endorses self-determination in region

2:03 pm today 

Pacific churches have come out in support of West Papuan self-determination while endorsing the referenda planned for New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea's Bougainville.

In a statement, the Pacific Conference of Churches said it supported calls from Pacific Island countries’ for a United Nations investigation of Indonesia's human rights abuses in West Papua.

It said it also supported the struggle of the people of New Caledonia in their pursuit of self-determination and urged the signatories to the Noumea Accord to proceed with the referendum planned for next year.

The conference also encouraged churches to promote the leadership of women and urged law enforcement agencies to protect the rights of women and children.

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http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/337428/grasberg-mine-contract-extended

3) Grasberg mine contract extended

8:29 pm today 

The contract of the gold and copper miner Freeport Indonesia to run the Grasberg mine in West Papua has been extended until 2041.

The Jakarta Post reported the company, a subsidiary of mining giant Freeport McMoran, was awarded the extention after agreeing to divest 51 percent of its shares to Indonesian entities.

Freeport's previous contract was due to terminate in 2021, but the Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan told the Post the contract was extended for 20 years after the company agreed to the divestment and to construct smelters.

Operations at the Grasberg mine have been crippled since January due to a deadlock in negotiations between the company and the government.

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