 |
| PNG’s troops at border (Jubi) |
Jayapura 5/5 (Jubi/Post Courier) – Indonesia
troops have opened fire on a PNG Defence Force border patrol, increasing
further tension at the Papua New Guinea-Indonesia border.
The flare-up at the border compelled the Minister for
Foreign Affairs and Immigration to summon the Indonesian Ambassador
Andrias Sitepu to give another protest note, just over a month after the
diplomat was issued the first one over similar concerns.
Mr Pato said the note expressed concerns at the
developments on the border and condemned the “shooting incident” on the
morning of April 19 when Indonesian troops opened fire on a PNGDF
patrol.
“While there being no reports of casualties, the
Indonesian government should ensure that such incidences do not reoccur
in the future,” he said.
Despite the protest by Port Moresby, the situation is
deteriorating, compelling the Government to ask Indonesia for dialogue
to look for a way forward in line with various border treaties the two
neighbours have signed over the years.
It is understood the current conflict between
elements of the OPM (Operasi Papua Merdeka) and the Indonesian army over
the last month and frequent border incursions will be the main focus of
a border liaison meeting which will be convened in Indonesia later this
week.
The PNGDF top brass at Murray Barracks have remained
tight-lipped due to the sensitivity of the issue, though it is
understood soldiers deployed to police the border are under strict
instructions not to return fire if they engaged or caught in a crossfire
between the OPM and members of the Indonesian army.
However, a PNG Govern-ment official speaking on
condition of anonymity said the April 19 incident could have escalated
if a PNGDF soldier was injured when they came under fire.
“It could have been worse if any of our soldiers were
injured during the shootout on the morning of April 19, it (the
situation) is very sensitive at the moment,” he said. The PNG ambassador
to Indonesia, Commodore Peter Ilau (retired), will lead the PNG
delegation to the border liaison meeting. (Jubi/Post Courier/Victor Mambor)