---------------------------
https://en.tempo.co/read/1744257/opm-willing-to-free-new-zealand-pilot-philips-max-mehrtens
1) OPM Willing to Free New Zealand Pilot Philips Max Mehrtens
Translator Dewi Elvia Muthiariny Editor Petir Garda Bhwana 4 July 2023 11:37 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The armed wing of the Free Papua Movement, West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB-OPM), abandoned the plan to shoot dead New Zealand pilot Captain Philips Max Mehrtens who has been taken hostage since early February 2023. They are willing to release the Susi Air pilot.
Two months ago, the OPM released a video threatening to shoot Philips if the Indonesian government did not meet their demands for talks about Papua independence. Philips conveyed the threat directly on the camera.
OPM spokesperson, Sebby Sambom, claimed his side had sent a message to leader Egianus Kogoya regarding the pros and cons of killing Philips. “We say that the pilot is not an enemy, but a close friend of our neighboring country in the Pacific region, New Zealand,” Sambom told Tempo on Sunday, July 2, 2023.
Sambom claimed that the majority of New Zealand and Australia people support the independence of Papua. So in order to value the relationship, Sambom told Kogoya that there is no point in killing the pilot. Instead, releasing him would have political value and would be appreciated.
“So the commander (Kogoya) agrees and the diplomat announces it. So the commander-in-chief agrees to release the pilot but before releasing him, Jakarta must be willing to talk to us, and New Zealand as well,” Sambom said.
The head of state conveyed this during his meeting with several leaders of Australia's leading companies at the Shangri-La Hotel in Sydney, Tuesday.
"My visit to Australia this time will focus on strengthening economic cooperation in which all of you will become an important part," he said, as quoted in the statement of the Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau received in Jakarta.
The meeting was also mediated by Australian minister of industry and science, Ed Husic.
Husic said the economic cooperation between Indonesia and Australia could still be improved.
"We can achieve greater cooperation to enhance economic strengthening for the two countries, including increasing people-to-people relations," the minister stated.
Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Arsjad Rasjid, who was also present at the meeting, noted that a follow-up to the activity would be conducted, namely the plan for a group of Australian businessmen to visit Indonesia in September.
"This is our opportunity to work together and increase Australian investment in Indonesia," Rasjid said.
Accompanying the president during the activity were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto; Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan; Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi; Minister of State Secretary Pratikno; Minister of Trade Zulkifli Hasan; Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia; and Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Siswo Pramono.
Apart from meeting Australian business leaders, President Jokowi has a fairly busy schedule of activities throughout Tuesday, including visiting the residence of Australian Governor General David Hurley and attending a series of the 8th Annual Meetings of Indonesian-Australian Leaders with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
The president and PM Albanese are thereafter also scheduled to visit the Sumatran Village located at Taronga Zoo to see the Sumatran tiger.
Related news: Jokowi embarks for 8th Indonesia-Australia Annual Leaders Meeting
Related news: Indonesia seeks Australia's support for FATF full membership
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.