How influential is a US congressman that he could disrupt security in Papua or, in an extreme case, lead the province to break away from the republic?

The fear of this, however, seems so prevalent among our top policy makers that the government barred Democratic congressman Eni Faleomavaega from Papua.

Whatever the government's reason for denying Faleomavaega an entry to Papua, it reminds us only of the security approach adopted during the militaristic New Order era. Hopefully this comparison is inaccurate. But even if the old mindset does persist, any attempt to keep controversial issues such as the Papua problem from the public, both domestic and international, will be fruitless and counterproductive.

Faleomavaega, who held talks with House of Representatives leaders here Wednesday, is a figure the country's decision makers are reluctant to deal with. He was behind a bill asking Washington to review its recognition of Papua as part of Indonesia in 2005, which failed. His planned trip to Papua was much awaited in the easternmost province, where the second customary congress is underway.

The international community, including the United States, has frequently expressed its recognition of Indonesia's territorial integrity and its blossoming democracy. There have been some questions, however, pertaining to alleged human rights abuses in Papua, which must have prompted the UN secretary general to send his special representative to verify the reports last month.

The administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, with considerable support from international donors, has done a lot to accelerate development in Papua in a bid to address the myriad problems that many believe are seeds of separatism in the province. Whether these initiatives are enough is a different matter.

With the world's faith in Jakarta's commitment to eradicating poverty, illiteracy and backwardness in Papua still intact, there should have been no cause for concern in welcoming Faleomavaega to the province. He should have been allowed to see and hear for himself the real problems facing Papuans and what the central and provincial governments have done to tackle them.

The fact that Papua's customary congress was marked with a female dancer unfurling a Morning Star separatist flag Tuesday provided further evidence that disenchantment with the central government is genuine. The disappointment was there long before foreign parties advanced the local people's cause.

It seemed to be a coincidence that the display of a separatist flag at the customary congress in Jayapura came on the heels of the controversy surrounding the ban imposed on Faleomavaega from visiting the province.

However, the two serve as strong indicators that Papua remains an issue Indonesia has not yet settled, despite the brave moves in 2000 to grant the province special autonomy status. Over Rp 15 trillion in special autonomy funds has poured into the province since then, but no major changes have taken place.

Seven years after the inception of special autonomy, over 84 percent of Papua's population remain poor. The province is among the 10 most illiterate in the country, not to mention the horrifying statistics that place Papua on top in terms of HIV prevalence.

Papua Governor Barnabas Suebu admits that separatist aspirations will not die if Papuans do not see the fruits of the province's rich natural resources. That's why he has handed out Rp 100 million to each village across Papua and neighboring West Papua, to ensure the secessionist mood does not get out of hand.

Papua is one of the major ironies of Indonesia. Blessed with huge natural resource reserves, development there has lagged behind the rest of the nation since Indonesia officially stamped its sovereignty over the land in 1969. Human rights abuses have frequently been reported against those opposing the exploitation of the resources, done at the expense of the Papuans.

Suebu, who was directly elected governor, has kick-started a herculean effort to lead Papua to prosperity. But many doubt he can do it alone. The central government, smarting from its mistake of imposing its will in 2004 which divided Papua into two provinces, will have to show its support for Papua's development through action.

The calls for independence in Papua are just a reminder that there are still people who need to be taken care of after so many years of being forgotten.