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Separatists and police point finger over riots

Source
South China Morning Post - October 26, 2000

Chris McCall, Wamena – Separatist leaders in Irian Jaya'stense Baliem Valley say they are under police pressure to accept sole responsibility for bloody riots this month, but have so far resisted. Their claim came amid a military build-up in the valley ahead of December 1, the date Irian Jayans regard as their independence day.

The valley's top separatist leader said he prevented two colleagues from signing statements that could have been interpreted as admissions of guilt. They would probably have gone to jail if they had signed. "I objected. I said you cannot," said Obed Komba, the region's representative on the Papuan Presidium Council.

Mr Komba said he had to sign a declaration stating he was willing to go to jail if his colleagues – Murjono Murib and Yafeth Yelemaken – absconded or failed to bring in the alleged perpetrators of the October 6 violence. "I said I would take responsibility because I want independence," Mr Komba said.

The riots, which Papuans said were triggered by a police attempt to remove the separatist Morning Star flag, left dozens dead.

Mr Komba said the other two men believed facts about the riots would clear their names, adding he told them police failed to follow correct legal procedures. The three men have been repeatedly interrogated and are expected to report almost daily to police in Wamena, the valley's main town.

Some 17 Papuans have been arrested over the riots, many over gruesome killings of non-Papuan migrants, but no police officers have been investigated. Human rights monitors have demanded an impartial probe, with action against the killers on both sides.

Security posts of the Papuan Guards, a pro-independence militia, have been torn down since the riots, while hundreds of police and military reinforcements have been flown in. Tourist numbers have plummeted, while travelling around the valley has become increasingly difficult.

"In the villages, it is calm but they are starting to be scared because the Papuan Guards' posts have been taken apart and very many security forces have come in from outside," Mr Komba said.

Jakarta wants the separatist flag lowered across the province, arguing it violates Indonesian sovereignty. Papuans, however, say they have not given up hope for independence for what they call West Papua. They say many of the flags will be raised when separatist leader Theys Eluay gives the order.

The main test of wills could come on the key anniversary. "On December 1, the flag will fly if there is an order from the Presidium. Because we were scared, we have hidden them," said one community leader.

To avoid further violence, Mr Komba and others signed a security agreement. Despite Papuans' suppressed anger over the document, which they see as biased against them, their leaders insist they have not renounced the right to hold political discussions and demand independence. "We say freedom is at the price of death. It is simply non-negotiable," Mr Komba said.

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