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US ambassador visits Papua region
US Ambassador Robert Blake has highlighted growing cooperation between the US government and its counterparts in Indonesia, including local administrations and civil society organizations in Papua, during his trip to Papua and West Papua from June 8-13
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S Ambassador Robert Blake has highlighted growing cooperation between the US government and its counterparts in Indonesia, including local administrations and civil society organizations in Papua, during his trip to Papua and West Papua from June 8-13.
'The US recognizes the territorial integrity of Indonesia within its present borders, including Papua. We also support a meaningful dialogue to resolve long-standing issues,' he said, as quoted in a release made available to The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
Ambassador Blake said his six-day visit was part of his continuing travel across Indonesia to engage local leaders, businesses, civil society and students to advance cooperation and partnership with the US.
'I discussed with senior government, religious, tribal, police and military personnel the importance of respecting everyone's rights to freely and peacefully express themselves. We also discussed benefits that would come from increasing access for international journalists to visit Papua,' the ambassador said.
During the trip, he traveled to the provinces of Papua and West Papua to meet with government officials, civil society leaders and alumni of Indonesia-US exchange programs. He also visited US government-supported programs on HIV-AIDS control, marine biodiversity protection, and healthcare service improvements.
Blake attended an agreement signing ceremony between Jayapura Regent Mathius Awoitauw and representatives from a puskesmas (community health center) in Dosay on June 10. The agreement outlines actions to be taken to improve services at the puskesmas in Dosay.
Through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US government is providing support to the clinic in form of training to strengthen public health services, with a special focus on maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis.
'The US is proud to support programs to improve the lives of Papuans. Through USAID, we partner with national and local governments, community leaders, the private sector, religious and community leaders on health, education, good governance, forest conservation and climate change programs. In 2013, the US invested US$10 million in development programs in Papua and West Papua,' said Blake.
He also met with the Papua governor and the province's military commander and police chief on the sidelines of the trip.
'I welcomed an improved performance on human rights in Papua by security forces and emphasized the need for sustained progress on this vital issue,' Blake continued. (ebf)
