RI discounts PNG asylum report

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 03/27/2006 8:54 AM

Nethy Dharma Somba, The Jakarta Post, Jayapura

The Indonesian Embassy in Port Moresby denied Sunday that three Papuans had sought political asylum in Papua New Guinea. Head of the embassy's media and information office, R. Sandjaya, told The Jakarta Post by phone that checks revealed no truth widespread news reports Saturday.

""We directly asked Papua New Guinea's foreign minister about the report and we were told that no students asked for asylum,"" Sandjaya said.

He characterized the report as a propaganda effort by the Free Papua Movement. ""If there was a Indonesian asking for asylum in Papua New Guinea, its foreign ministry would definitely inform the embassy.""

He argued that the opposite was true, with hundreds of Papuans now living in Papua New Guinea wishing to return to Indonesia.

Sandjaya said Indonesian representatives in Papua New Guinea had helped about 500 Papuans return to their hometowns, with many others waiting for assistance.

On Saturday, head of National Solidarity for Papua, Bonar Tigor Naipospos said the three Papuans -- reportedly two Cendrawasih University students and an ordinary citizen -- arrived in Port Moresby to seek asylum last Thursday. He refused to reveal their names, but confirmed they were involved in the violent protest outside Cendrawasih State University in Abepura on March 16, in which five security personnel were killed.

""They were involved in the Abepura incident, but they said they did not kill the officers,"" Bonar said, adding that they said they were concerned for their safety.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Desra Percaya, however, said there was no official information on the report.

Cendrawasih University Rector Bert Kambuaya also said Sunday he was unaware of students seeking political asylum.

""I've heard no of such report and I learned about it just now from you,"" he told the Post on Sunday.

Papua caretaker governor Sojuangon Situmorang said there was no reason for law-abiding citizens to flee to another country because the police and local administration ensured public safety.

""Security personnel have secured the situation so there's no need to feel insecure unless he or she broke the law,"" he said.

Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Tommy Jacobus acknowledged that many people were fearful amid rumors of reprisals by security personnel.

""Don't believe the rumors. If you want to learn the truth, ask the authorities, religious leaders or officials, because there are people who do not want peace in Papua. Believe me, there have been no sweeps conducted by the officers. The only truth to the matter is the police are still trying to catch those responsible for the officers' deaths in the clashes.""

Father Hermand Saud, who is also chairman of Papua's Peaceful Land Advocacy Team, urged all students and Papuans to unite to ensure peace in the province.

""We keep on working to enlighten all religious people to ensure peace. If they don't feel safe, they can come to places of worship,"" he said.

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