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AYAPURA: Some 300 indigenous Papuans from all regions in Papua and West Papua provinces are expected to join a peace conference from July 5-7 in Jayapura to seek solutions to conflicts in the region.

Papuan Peace Network (JDP) coordinator Pastor Neles Tebay said that the first conference was intended for indigenous Papuans to discuss way to make and manage peace in the region. “We need to listen to the concepts and indicators of a peaceful Papua according to the indigenous Papuans to show respect to them.” Neles said.

Representatives of associations and other mass organizations from outside Papua will be invited but only as observers, he said. “Peace in Papua will never materialize if it only involves indigenous Papuans.”

“All people who live in Papua, regardless of their professions, have to take part in the fight for a peaceful Papua,” Neles said, adding that they all would be invited as participants at the next conference.

The conference will feature Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto as a keynote speaker representing the government. — JP