Move for Senate Inquiry

Last week Greens Senator Bob Brown gave notice of a motion for a Senate 
Inquiry into the issue of West Papua (referred to as Irian Jaya by the 
occupying Indonesian authorities). His move was on the eve of a protest 
outside the Indonesian embassy in Canberra to coincide with the anniversary 
of the first raising of the West Papuan Morning Star flag, in West 
Papua on December 1, 1962.

At the time the people of West Papua (West New Guinea) had been promised 
independence by their Dutch colonisers, but when the time came Indonesia 
claimed the territory and threatened to invade.

The Netherlands backed down and signed an agreement transferring control to 
the UN on condition that the people would have self-determination within 
six years. But this did not prevent Indonesian invasion.

Within seven months, without any consultation with the people, the UN had 
pulled out and Indonesia taken over.

"Economic mismanagement and military brutality ensured that opposition to 
Jakarta was widespread", says John Saltford (Pacific Bulletin, 
November 1999).

An American diplomat visiting the territory noted that: "The Indonesians 
have tried everything from bombing them with B 26s, to shelling and 
mortaring them, but a continuous state of semi-rebellion persists."

The attitude of the UN team, lead by Ortiz Sanz was nothing short of 
disgraceful.

Sanz received numerous petitions from Papuans denouncing the whole exercise 
in which the Indonesian officials were selecting "people's representatives" 
for a "collective consultation".

Saltford reports that Sanz questioned the relevance of the views of 
Papuans.

Saltford quotes from a confidential report by Sanx to his superiors: "as 
you are very well aware, only a very insignificant percentage of the 
population is capable or has interest in any political actions or even 
thoughts."

In effect Sanz was justifying the failure of Indonesia to permit and the UN 
to ensure that an "act of free choice" was exercised.

The UN went along with it, ignoring the wishes of the people who are still 
paying the price at Freeport and elsewhere.

The struggle for a free and independent West Papua has continued to this 
day.

"A resurgence in the struggle for an independent West Papua has begun to 
emerge since the end of the Suharto regime", said Senator Brown.

"The time is now right for the Australian Parliament to look at the issue 
of West Papua."

Senator Brown has proposed the following matters be referred to the Senate 
Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee for inquiry and report by June 30, 
2000:

* Australian Government aid in West Papua;

* links between Australia's armed forces and Indonesian armed forces 
operating in West Papua;

* Australian trade links with West Papua;

* the impact of Australian investment and trade on human rights and the 
environment in West Papua;

* West Papuan immigration, including refugees, to Australia.