Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jayapura (Fides Service) – Between the Indonesian government and representatives of Papua an official table of negotiations will soon start, to deal with delicate political, economic and social aspects of the region, also known as Irian Jaya: is what Fides learns from a recent conference with over 550 civic and religious leaders in Papua, held in Jayapura in recent days. "We believe that dialogue is the best way to find a solution to the conflicts between the indigenous people of Papua and the Indonesian government. We are determined to find a solution to political, economic, legal, social, cultural issues, or related to human rights in Papua, through dialogue: we welcome the initiative of the central government to have started the preparatory activities for an official dialogue, through the mediation of a third party. "So reads the joint statement, issued at the end of the "Papua Peace Conference", where civil and religious leaders express the desire and commitment to peace and reconciliation in the region. Civil and religious organizations, NGOs, political leaders, student representatives and women's movements, leaders of the armed resistance groups active in Papua, confronted each other on the theme "Let us all together make Papua a land of peace". It was attended, among others, by His Exc. Mgr.Leo Laba Ladjar, Bishop of Jayapura, Tony Wanggai, president of the "Papuan Muslim Council" and Barnabas Suebu, Governor of the Province of Papua.
The leaders have identified the problems and challenges for the future of Papua: they all agreed in defining peace the element and priority aim, because the socio-economic development, prosperity and progress of local population derives from peace and reconciliation.
Participants indicated the criteria for the selection of the representatives of Papua, who will be commissioned to deal with the Indonesian central government, identifying people who are anchored and have a deep knowledge of history and local traditions, have diplomatic skills, are proven leaders of morality and transparency, experts in matters like legality and human rights.
Today the military presence remains strong in Indonesian Papua (the western half of the island of New Guinea), to quell any new pro-independence unrest, which the indigenous communities are accused of. Indonesia annexed Papua to its territory in 1962 after a referendum on the choice between independence or integration. During the referendum, however, only 1,000 men chosen by the Indonesian military voted. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 07/15/2011)
