1) West Papua Church leader urges release of NZ pilot held captive

2) Policy, Guns and Money: Geopolitics in Southeast Asia and Australia–Indonesia relations

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https://en.jubi.id/west-papua-church-leader-urges-release-of-nz-pilot-held-captive/

1) West Papua Church leader urges release of NZ pilot held captive 

News Desk - Susi Air Pilot Hostage-Taking 

19 December 2023

Jayapura, Jubi – The President of the Union of Baptist Churches in West Papua, Rev. Ambirek G. Socratez Yoman, has made a heartfelt plea to the West Papua National Liberation Army (TPNPB) for the release of pilot Philip Mark Mehrtens, who has been held hostage for nearly a year by the Free Papua Movement’s armed faction.

In a message conveyed on Monday, December 18, 2023, Yoman stressed the pressing humanitarian need to free Philip Mark Mehrtens, a New Zealand national employed by Susi Air, who was captured and held by TPNPB forces under the command of General Egianus Kogeya on January 7, 2023, in the Paro District of Nduga Regency, Mountainous Papua.

Expressing concern over the prolonged captivity of Mehrtens, Yoman proposed several conditions aimed at facilitating the pilot’s release. “The first is withdrawal of non-organic troops from the Mountainous Papua, Nduga Regency, as well as the unblocking of restricted access in Nduga and surrounding areas, designating Nduga as a safe zone.”

Additionally, Socratez Yoman urged General Egianus Kogeya to appoint trusted individuals, documented in written correspondence, to initiate dialogue with both the Indonesian government and the government of New Zealand. Furthermore, he emphasized the importance of handing over Philip Mehrtens to the New Zealand Ambassador for Indonesia in a manner agreed upon by Kogeya and his representatives.

The pastor underscored that General Egianus Kogeya’s commitment to the international community should affirm West Papua’s struggle for recognition since December 1, 1961. He emphasized that General Egianus’s leadership in releasing Philip Mehrtens during the Christmas season would exemplify the pursuit of West Papua’s independence through peaceful means, justice, and the respect for human dignity.

Pastor Socratez Yoman concluded by extending Christmas greetings to General Egianus Kogeya and his associates while affirming his solidarity with General Egianus’s aspirations and West Papua’s collective ideals. He expressed his deep desire for a resolution that aligns with the hopes and aspirations of the people of West Papua.

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ASPI podcast.  23 Oct 

https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/policy-guns-and-money-geopolitics-in-southeast-asia-and-australia-indonesia-relations/

2) Policy, Guns and Money: Geopolitics in Southeast Asia and Australia–Indonesia relations

 23 Oct 2023|ASPI staff

In this episode, ASPI’s Gatra Priyandita speaks to Thomas Parks from the Asia Foundation about geopolitics in Southeast Asia. While there’s a lot of attention on the US–China rivalry and its implications for the region, Gatra and Tom focus on the different regional dynamics in Southeast Asia, including ASEAN, regional challenges and the relationships that countries like Australia and Japan have in the region and how they have changed.

Zooming in on Indonesia, Gatra speaks to Natalie Sambhi, executive director of Verve Research, about Indonesian politics and foreign policy and Australia’s relationship with Indonesia. They discuss Indonesia’s vision for the world and how it aligns with Australia’s, the roles both countries can play in shaping international rules and norms, and how to further strengthen the bilateral relationship, including through education.

Presented by Olivia Nelson with analysis from Gatra Priyandita, Thomas Parks and Natalie Sambhi. Image: Department of Defence.

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