Biak – After having meetings with the DPRP, the MRP and the Papuan provisional government, a team from Komnas HAM visited Biak Numfor to seek opinions from local people about views for and against the satellite launch project.

Many issues were discussed at the meeting which lasted five hours. The issues discussed were the plan to establish a launching pad for satellites [by Russia] in Biak and other matters such as local symbols. [The report contained nothing more about the latter question.]

The community leaders said there was a lack of transparency about the satellite launching project because they have not been told anything about the pros and cons of the project. The community leaders asked the Komnas HAM team to convey their concerns to President Yudhoyono. They mentioned this because they felt that they had not been involved and had received no detailed information.

"We need to know the benefits and disadvantages of the project, and the extent to which it will have an impact on the local people," said Apolos Sroyer, secretary of the Biak Traditional Council. He conveyed a number of questions in connection with this matter.

In response, the Komnas HAM promised to raise this matter in Jakarta. They said that they had got the impression from their meetings with the MRP, the DPRP and the provincial authorities there was no openness about the project.

[Slightly abridged translation by TAPOL.]