Comments: Dialogue vital to solve Papua conflicts

Human right activists are urging the government to initiate a dialogue with representatives of various groups in Papua to find a peaceful solution to the violence and separatism wracking the resource-rich province.

"A dialogue between the central government and the people of Papua would be a peaceful and effective way to stop the violence and bloodshed in Papua," Neles Tebay of the Jayapura archdiocese said Saturday.

The calls came after repeated attacks targeting US-based gold mine operator PT Freeport Indonesia in Mimika regency.

A group of gunmen opened fire on a company bus on Saturday morning, injuring two men. It was the latest incident since armed attacks on the mine claimed three lives in July.

Your comments:

Dialogue between Jakarta and the Papuans would be so important to ensure peace in the region. But as reported today, TNL spokesman Jonah Wenda was arrested by the police.

He is blamed for subversion because he spoke about the intentions of the TNL/OPM. That's not a good sign to start a dialogue.

Markus Hagenauer
Jakarta

Neles Tebay of the Jayapura archdiocese should stop playing politics, and West Papua Legislative Council Speaker Jimmy Demianus Ijie should know Jusuf Kalla is beyond his use-by date.

The simple fact is that Indonesia is colonizing West Papua and the whole world knows this to be the case.

The Indonesian people should be told the truth that West Papua was taken over against the will of the people. Why? Because it was convenient to do so.

Freeport found it too easy to bribe the Soeharto family and cronies, and the US thought it good to stop the so-called communist threat.

West Papua has been treated as nothing more than a business subsidiary for decades, and the sooner Indonesia hands back West Papua to its people, the better for all.

John Ralph
Jakarta