The main border crossings between the Indonesian province of Papua and PNG have been shut down because of an Indonesian military operation against Papuan separatist rebels. Thousands of Indonesian troups have been moved into the border area to flush out the OPM, which is the Free West Papua guerilla army. Christian leaders say civilians living along the border are getting caught up in the hostilities.
Transcript:
Fitzgerald: An intensive military operation against Papuans who want to break away from Indonesian control has been underway in the province formerly known as Irian Jaya for over a year.
But this month the focus of the operation has intensified along the Indonesian-PNG border turning the area into a volatile and dangerous no mans' land.
Samson Mesambe, an aid worker for the Catholic Church on the PNG side of the border says there's been incursions by Indonesian troops onto PNG soil during the recent fighting.
Mesambe: I see that military buildup on the other side of the border, the Indonesian border compared to our side of the border, we've got the two units of mobile squad police and platoon of PNG soldiers manning the border at the moment because this latest fighting's between the OPM rebels than the Indonesian army.
Fitzgerald: So far, other border crossings remain open or it's not possible for people to cross into PNG as they have in the past?
Mesambe: So far I think since these troubles started this traditional border crossing where these villagers used to go to Jayapura. That's closed for indefinite period, which we don't know when it will be open again. And the road is closed. At the moment, crosses (sic) not only the villagers but those travelling for tourist or business persons, are not allowed to use the road because that's where the fighting is taking place and it's only possible by, travel only by boat, only by boat.
Fitzgerald: John Ondewami is a spokesperson for the Free Papua OPM rebels. He says fighting along the border is part of an Indonesian campaign to wipe out the OPM.
Ondewami: The Indonesians believe that the OPM are using this area as their main base to run a political and military campaign against the Indonesian government. Therefore the Indonesian government puts pressure on Somare government in Papua New Guinea in order to crush the OPM and its activities.
Fitzgerald: Indonesia has called for an extradition treaty with neighbouring PNG so separatists escaping over the border can be handed back to Indonesian authorities. Mr Ondewami claims although PNG hasn't yet agreed to the treaty, there's been a hardening of attitude towards the Papuan cause since the election of the new PNG government led by Sir Michael Somare.
He says Somare's government wants to close down Papuan refugee camps, which have been providing protection along the border since 1969.
Ondewami: I think Somare has been friendly with Indonesian politics, Indonesian government and pursued this joint cooperation against the West Papuans. It's not surprising if and when (sic) Somare now come back again to the power he continues the old Papuan policy against the people of West Papua who seek protections in Papua New Guinea. So it's a huge setback for the whole West Papuan refugees in Papua New Guinea, and I assume that as a consequence of that, many West Papuans will be deported forcibly from Papua New Guinea, especially those now living in Vanimo area; also in the Jaku and Vutong areas, to West Papua.
Fitzgerald: The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister hasn't yet commented on Indonesia's border offensive but his Foreign Minister says PNG is in communication with Jakarta over the issue.
Carlos Yuni, the Governor of the PNG northern border province of Sandaun admits he wants all Papuan refugee camps removed from Papua New Guinea soil.
Yuni: Refugee camps in Vanimo must be removed because there is in there some of the trouble makers are using our Papua New Guinea side of the border to engage in illegal activities along the border.
Fitzgerald: The Catholic Bishop of the PNG border town of Vanimo has issued a statement saying he believes the security of Papuan refugees in PNG is under threat. Samson Mesambe who works with the refugee border crossers for the church agrees.
Mesambe: Now at the moment these border crossers that we are looking after are living in fear because of these latest developments on this border crisis are going on.