Indonesia talks tough ahead of Irian anniversary

November 30, 2000
Web posted at: 8:56 PM HKT (1256 GMT)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuters) -- Indonesia warned on Thursday the government would not tolerate attempts by separatists in restive Irian Jaya to break away, raising tensions on the eve of the anniversary of a unilateral declaration of independence.

The warning by President Abdurrahman Wahid and key security ministers follows the arrest this week of three separatist leaders in the resource-rich and remote province, where independence supporters on Friday will mark a 1961 declaration of freedom by Irianese tribal chiefs.

Activists and analysts fear the anniversary could trigger clashes between security forces and indigenous Irianese.

Both sides said on Thursday the situation was relatively calm, even though 1,000 soldiers rumbled through the provincial capital Jayapura on trucks in a show of strength. Residents also said most shops closed for the day over fears of violence.

In a national television address, Wahid called for calm in Irian Jaya and also rebellious Aceh province on the northern tip of Sumatra island. Jakarta was trying to solve longstanding problems in the two provinces peacefully, he said.

"Therefore, every effort which deviates from this spirit and commitment, especially in a form of movements to break from the Republic of Indonesia, will certainly be halted with firm action in accordance with the constitution...," Wahid said in a statement issued to coincide with the address.

He did not elaborate, but Jakarta has already warned Aceh rebels it would crack down if the separatists did not resume peace talks. The rebels suspended dialogue because of killings by Indonesian soldiers and police.

Growing separatist activity and violence in both provinces are among just some of the major headaches tormenting Wahid's embattled administration, struggling to revive the economy and curb political instability.

Local leaders and human rights groups have accused Jakarta of widespread human rights abuses and plundering resources in Irian Jaya and Aceh, which have a combined population of some six million people out of Indonesia's 210 million.

Defense Minister Mahfud M.D. said the cabinet had discussed Irian Jaya and Aceh on Thursday and wanted to solve the problems peacefully but would take firm action if necessary to halt separatist activity. He did not elaborate.

Indonesian police on Thursday stepped up their hunt for key Irian Jaya independence chiefs, arresting a third leader for engaging in separatist activities.

Irian Jaya police chief Sylvanus Wenas said detectives had arrested Don Flassy, a government official who is also a member of the pro-independence Papua Presidium Council, an umbrella group of Irian leaders which declared the province's split from Indonesia earlier this year.

Police arrested council chairman Theys Eluay and secretary general Thaha Hamid on Wednesday, and have sought two others. They said the three under arrest would be charged with treason, which carries a maximum jail term of life in prison.

Friday's celebrations will consist of prayers and a ceremony lowering the banned "Morning Star" flag from flagpoles at three locations in the greater district of Jayapura, which lies 3,700 km (2,300 miles) east of Jakarta.

Authorities are allowing independence supporters to fly their separatist flags on Friday but Wenas, speaking from Jayapura, said he would not allow them to remain aloft after that.

Australia has warned its citizens to defer travel to Irian Jaya because of the possibility of unrest during the anniversary.

Officials said the government hoped promises of a special autonomy package for both Irian and Aceh expected by next May would ease tensions. The package will give local officials more control over their affairs and resources.

Indonesia has been running a secret campaign to keep Irian Jaya, using a combination of bullying, persuasion and clandestine operations, a secret document obtained by Reuters has revealed.

Irian Jaya, also called West Papua, was incorporated into Indonesia in 1963, after heavy diplomatic pressure on the Netherlands, the country's former colonial ruler. Aceh has a long history of rebellion against both Jakarta and the Dutch.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For more ASIANOW news, myCNN.com will bring you news from the areas and subjects you select.

See related sites about Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian media sites

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.