President establishes a unit to settle conflict in Papua

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has established a special unit to settle conflict in Papua, said presidential special staff for regional autonomy Velix Wanggai on Saturday.

“The team was led by Bambang Darmono (former commander for military operations in Aceh),” Velix said.

Velix was speaking during a discussion titled “Never Ending Conflict in Papua”.

Bambang, who is also the former secretary general of the National Defense Council, would be assigned to formulate the change in Papua and to build constructive communications between central and regional administrations.

“We hope the unit can bridge aspiration of Papuans and the government,” said Velix.
He added that the team would also be in charge of evaluating Papua’s special autonomy funds.