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| PNG opposition leader, Belden Namah (IST) |
Jayapura, 14/4 (Jubi) – Operations by the Indonesian military to
capture rebels near the border with Papua New Guinea last week scared
residents in Vanimo, said PNG opposition leader BeldeNamah.
“On several occasions, the army came and burned the houses. They
threatened people under arms, either those who suspected to protect the
members of the Free Papua Movement (OPM) or those who were just accused
for no reasons. Because of it, the PNG citizens at the border are living
in fear all the time. The Government of PNG must be aware and make an
open statement,” Namah told tabloidjubi.com by phone on Monday (14/4)
He earlier said Indonesian troops had entered some areas of PNG
including Vanimo after a suspected rebel attack on the military on April
7.
Indonesian armed forces chief General Moeldoko earlier said that he
guaranteed his personnel would only pursue the armed group who crossed
the border of PNG.
“Of course, our target is the armed people. We will take firm action against anyone who tries to harm the local people or the government of Indonesia,” Moeldoko said in Jakarta last week.
Namah also said that PNG has a moral obligation to help end the
suffering of the people of West Papua and their struggle for
independence.
“Indonesia is part of Asia and has no relation with Melanesia. Thus it cannot claim Papuan and West Papua as part of it, regardless the history between Indonesia and the Netherlands,” he said.
The Government of Papua New Guinea has officially admitted that West
Papua is an internal part of Indonesia, therefore it never interferes
the internal affairs of Indonesia.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of PNG, Hon Rimfrink
Pato said his government totally supported the sovereignty of Indonesia
over West Papua and do not agree with those who want its separation from
Indonesia,” he said in Ambon during a visit by MSG delegation on 15
January. (Jubi/Victor Mambor/rom)