INDONESIA: Irian Jaya

Martin Storey reports:

"The Indonesian government has positioned itself for a repression a la East Timor in Irian Jaya. I was in the highlands of Irian Jaya in August, and saw for myself that Irianese have been kept in such a state of isolation that many believe that they are already independent. History shows that Indonesia does not own Irian Jaya, but is merely the occupying power, for the 39th year and after only 8 days of Irianese independence. Now the Irianese everywhere are preparing to right that wrong and kick Indo butt out with their bows and arrows. There are wrongs on both sides but nothing that justifies what is likely about to happen there. The Irianese, in their dire underdevelopment, have already a raw deal to catch up with the rest of the region. If the tribal leaders and many adults are killed, their fate becomes even more desperate.

[Martin then forwards a long AP report on Irian Jaya, from which an extract is published here] 'Indonesian troops dispatched to quell growing separatist movements.President Abdurahman Wahid ordered tough military action in far-flung secessionist provinces of Indonesia on Thursday, fearing that the world's fourth most populous country could break apart. In scenes uncomfortably reminiscent of the 32-year reign of former dictator Suharto, more than 1,000 troops and riot police paraded Thursday though Jayapura, capital of Irian Jaya province, on the eve of a big independence rally here. The show of force in Jayapura, unashamedly meant to intimidate protesters, was carried out after authorities filed subversion charges against two jailed Irian Jaya secessionist leaders.

Irian Jaya, the nation's geographically largest province, some 2,500 miles east from Jakarta, is home to one of the world's biggest gold mines. Oil, gas and minerals lie beneath its thick jungles. Months of negotiations by Wahid and offers of greater provincial autonomy have not stemmed the bloodshed. Thousands have been killed in the two conflicts and in sectarian fighting in Maluku province, just west of Irian Jaya.

A few hours before Wahid's address, Jayapura's police chief addressed reinforcements sent to control protests expected to mark the anniversary of Irian Jaya's first attempt for nationhood39 years ago. "If they use machetes or bows and try to hurt others we will use our guns,"

My comment: There is a parallel between Irian Jaya and Palestine. Both cases indicate a flaw in the making of US foreign policy, in which the President disregards the advice of State Department specialists for political reasons. The creation of the state of Israel has done immense harm to Jews throughout the Muslim world, where before they held respected positions, and has lost Jews the sympathy of much of the rest of the world. The story of Israel's recognition by Truman for political is grotesque. Indonesia annexed Irian Jaya and US recognition of this disregarded the realities of the island. Both cases illustrated both the weakness of the UN and the superficial political motivations of the US. Both case have resulted in bloodshed and misery.

Ronald Hilton - 12/02/00