Earlier today Mark Davis spoke to Indonesia's Ambassador to Australia, Imron Cotan, from Canberra.

Mark Davis: Ambassador, thanks for joining us. Were you surprised by the very strong nature of these documents?

Imron Cotan, Indonesian ambassador to Australia: I'm not surprised at all.

Mark Davis: Well, they're a pretty damning indictment of the process that delivered West Papua to Indonesia. When you say you're not surprised, was there no new information there for you? There was some new information there for the rest of us.

Imron Cotan: Well, there is no new information as far as the Indonesian Government is concerned. Why I said so, because we should not apply current standard of norms to judge the – you know, the past event.

Mark Davis: This is hardly ancient history, sir. I mean, the Papuans have been saying this for many years, that they were delivered to Indonesia in a sham election. Now, when you read through the bulk of these documents, you would have to concur that the American Government at the time agreed with that position, although they never said so publicly.

Imron Cotan: Well, I cannot and shall not concur to anything that is contrary to the Indonesian Government's position. Let me educate you about the problems that we have in Papua. As you know, there is a well-established international law principle stating that the boundaries of a newly independent state conform to its pre-sovereign ones and...

Mark Davis: See, that's back in the '50s, right, that's back in the '50s. Let's settle with the 1969 election – the so-called Act of Free Choice, which has now come to attention again. The essential confirmation that these documents would suggest is that the people that were voting there were hand-selected, there was massive intimidation, civilians were killed, and the American Ambassador said that the vote was unfolding like a Greek tragedy, the conclusion was preordained – preordained by Suharto, of course.

Imron Cotan: Again, let me inform you – if you could kindly consult the book of history, the condition of the Papuans precluded them to exercise the principles that we are now holding in the very advanced democratic society like Australia. They could not even read or write properly. So that is why they elected their leaders to channel their aspirations.

Mark Davis: Well, in recent weeks you've had 20 US senators writing to Kofi Annan urging that an envoy be appointed for West Papua and that a report be prepared. Again, is that of concern to you?

Imron Cotan: Well, we will not in any way or state let the senators of any particular country to rewrite our history.

Mark Davis: Well, in recent days we're getting unconfirmed reports of military raids across the highlands, again unconfirmed reports of arrests and some killings. Now, if this is going on, why shouldn't there be impartial observers allowed in to monitor this?

Imron Cotan: Well, listen carefully – we should not and cannot speculate on unconfirmed reports that you are seeing. It is irresponsible.

Mark Davis: OK, well some reports that were confirmed. Last year, late last year – again in the highlands – local leaders there, including OPM leaders, requested peace talks and for a cease-fire after confirmed reports of many hundreds of people being forced to hide in the bush and several people being murdered. The main person that made that call, Yustinus Murib, within weeks of writing to John Howard asking for assistance for talks from Australia or the UN, he was killed by Kopassus troops. Is that a reasonable response to a very tragic and deadly situation in West Papua?

Imron Cotan: Again I would like to underline the point that any responsible government should take stern actions against rebellions whenever it is occurring. So I think it is only responsible for my Government to take actions against those rebels. So if they are killed, indeed, that is, I believe, one of the consequences they have to face.

Mark Davis: On the case concerning Yustinus Murib, who was killed last year in the highlands, did any Australian officials make inquiries of you about his fate?

Imron Cotan: Well, I should not disclose any relations that we have with Australia publicly. I believe we have our common concern. We discuss matters of common concern. But I think it is only responsible for me not to disclose any information relating to your government.

Mark Davis: Imron Cotan, thanks again for joining us.

Imron Cotan: Thank you very much for having me.