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West Papua: Indonesian security forces prepare military operation

From the Australia West Papua Association
Recent media reports have indicated that the Indonesian security forces are preparing for a military operation in the Puncak Jaya regency. The local government in the Puncak Jaya region has called on the TPN/OPM (Free Papua Movement) operating in the area to surrender, otherwise the TNI and police will undertake operations to pursue, capture and crush them. A deadline of the 28 June has been given to the OPM to surrender.
The authorities also claim that outsiders and foreign citizens are also with the OPM. They have called on anybody who has joined the OPM to return home. It was also reported that before the military operation it would first evacuate all citizens residing in the Tingginambut district to avoid casualties.

Members of the Papuan People's Representative Council (DPRP) asked the Puncak Jaya regency government to review the June 28, 2010 deadline given to the TPN/OPM to surrender and hand over captured weapons so as to avoid bloodshed. The DPRP has also offered to help facilitate a dialogue between the military, police, community leaders and the TPN/OPM.

Clashes between the OPM and the security forces have been ongoing in the region for years. The military have conducted regular operations in the area, leaving the local people in fear and traumatised. The community increasingly feels threatened by the possibility of a larger military operation taking place after the 28th. Such an operation can only lead to further casualties.

It is also reported that ID cards will be checked between the hours 1800 to 04:30. However many people in the highlands don't have ID cards. What will happen to them? There has been a call for dialogue to be held jointly between the provincial government of Papua, DPRP, police chief, commander and local government in the district of Puncak Jaya to work out a solution to the various concerns held by all members of the community.

AWPA has written to the minister for Foreign Affairs and we encourage people to write along similar lines.

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