Laksamana.Net – Not content with murdering Papua province's passive independence leader Theys Eluay two years ago, Indonesian authorities have now destroyed part of a memorial dedicated to the slain activist.

Local reports said police on Thursday (13/11/03) demolished a large billboard at the monument site in Entrop on the southern outskirts of the provincial capital Jayapura. State news agency Antara said the sign was removed because it had been erected without an official permit.

But The Jakarta Post daily quoted Jayapura Police deputy chief Mathius Fachiri as saying the billboard had to be demolished because its "provocative" text could have incited "hatred and mistaken perceptions" among indigenous Papuans. The Indonesian text stated: "Syukur Bagi MU Tuhan, Pengorbanan Theys Hiyo Eluay dan Korban Rakyat Papua lainnya Akibat Kejahatan Kemanusiaan Adalah Perjuangan Menegakkan Kebenaran Sejarah Papua Demi Mengangkat Harkat dan Martabat Bangsa Papua. Papua Baru Yang Damai." Which means: "Praise God, for the sacrifice by Theys Hiyo Eluay and other Papuan victims of crimes against humanity in the struggle to uphold Papua's true history for the sake of raising the pride and dignity of the Papuan race. Peaceful New Papua."

Analysts say the destruction of a message calling for peace is more likely to provoke violence than the presence of the monument itself. But Mathius said the local Sentani Tribal Council had agreed the billboard could be removed two years after the death of Theys. Sentani Tribal Council chief Enos E. Deda was among those present to witness the destruction of 3 by 2 meter billboard, which was located at the site where Theys was killed by members of the Army's Special Forces (Kopassus). Although Deda accepted the police action, he said the rest of the monument must remain intact as historical evidence that Theys was murdered.

Theys, who had advocated independence for Papua province through peaceful means, was murdered on November 10, 2001, while being driven home after attending a dinner at the local Kopassus headquarters in Jayapura. His body was found in his overturned car on November 11. His driver Aistoteles Masoka disappeared without a trace and is presumed dead.

The military initially denied any involvement in the killing and claimed Theys had died of a heart attack. But in April 2003, seven low-ranking Kopassus soldiers received jail sentences ranging from 24 to 42 months for their involvement in the killing. Army Chief General Ryamizard Ryacudu subsequently described the murderous soldiers as national heroes. Many observers said the light sentences reflected the considerable degree of impunity still enjoyed by senior members of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI).

American security analyst Ken Conboy, who has written a book on Kopassus, said the verdicts were typical of the immunity of the military's top brass. "The guys who told [the perpetrators] to go and do it will get off completely or just get a slap on the wrist. The case will stop here," he said.

Sidney Jones, head of the Jakarta office of the International Crisis Group, said the sentences were lenient because there has been no international pressure or desire from the government to reform the armed forces.

Peaceful commemoration

The demolition of the billboard came only two days after members and supporters of the pro-independence Papuan Presidium Council (PDP) had gathered at the monument to peacefully commemorate the second anniversary of Theys' death. The commemoration, which was continued at Theys' house in Sentani, was closely monitored by several police, ostensibly because of fears that violence might have erupted.

Independence day banned

President Megawati Sukarnoputri's administration has banned commemorations of the 42nd anniversary of Papua's declaration of independence from the Dutch. Papua marks its unofficial independence declaration on December 1, while on the other side of the archipelago, rebellious Aceh province on December 4 celebrates the anniversary of the founding of the Free Aceh Movement (GAM).

On December 1, 1961, the Dutch colonial legislature inducted a number of indigenous Papuans and unveiled the "Morning Star' flag of West Papua, which to this day remains a symbol of the territory's aspiration for liberation and independence. The Dutch officially left Papua in August 1962 and the region was placed briefly under the authority of the United Nations.

But the Netherlands and Indonesia then signed the so-called New York Agreements, under which the territory was handed over to Indonesia in May 1963, on the condition that a referendum on self-determination be held within six years. The so-called "Act of Free Choice" was held in 1969 and 1,062 participants voted unanimously in favor of incorporation into the Indonesian nation, allegedly because of death threats.

Human rights groups and journalists who witnessed the referendum say it was unfair, corrupt and a sham. West Papua was formally integrated into Indonesia in 1969 and renamed Irian Jaya. Irian is an acronym for Ikut Republik Indonesia Anti-Nederland (Join the Republic of Indonesia Anti-Netherlands), while Jaya means "glorious'.

Separatists have waged a sporadic guerrilla war against the Indonesian military since the early 1960s. Human rights groups say thousands have been killed in the ensuing violence. Former president Abdurrahman Wahid, who freed all of the province's political prisoners, on January 1, 2000, changed Irian Jaya's name to Papua and encouraged separatists to discuss their aspirations for independence.

But Megawati's military-backed government has taken a tougher stance against the province's separatist movement and has attempted to partition Papua into three new provinces.

Shoot on sight

Chief of the Papua regional military command Major General Nurdin Zainal this week said his troops have been ordered to shoot on sight any Papuans who take part in Independence Day violence. His warning comes a week after Kopassus members killed 10 members of the separatist Free Papua Organization (OPM), including guerilla commander Yustinus Murib. Zainal said the killings would likely lead to revenge attacks by the OPM, possibly timed to coincide with the Independence Day anniversary.

"Prior to Papua Independence Day, rebel leaders will issue circulars ordering their troops to attack police and military posts, or even public venues – so TNI personnel must remain vigilant," he was quoted as saying by Agence France-Presse. "They may not attack large military posts, but they will likely assault small military and police posts in remote areas," he added.

Papua Governor J.P. Salossa has also ordered Papuan people to refrain from any activities that could further raise tensions in the province, such as hoisting the Morning Star flag.