Jakarta – The Free Papua Movement (OPM) has announced its readiness to call a cease fire and end the violent conflict in the province if the Indonesian government holds an international meeting with the involvement of the United Nations.

"At that meeting, we will ask the Indonesian government about the status of Papua [as a military operation zone]. If that status is lifted, we will call a cease fire," OPM commander Lambert Pekikir said on Wednesday as quoted by tempo.co.

However, before the meeting, Lambert said the OPM would still remain as a movement in Papua, but he promised that the OPM would not shoot civilians.

"We will maintain our actions. OPM members are not afraid of being apprehended by the police. There will be casualties in any struggle. If they [police] are brave enough, they can come to our quarters," Lambert said.

Meanwhile, Papua Police chief, Insp. Gen. Bigman L. Tobing, has pledged to dismantle armed forces threatening the sovereignty of Indonesia.

"There is no place for separatist groups in Papua," Tobing said. "For the media, don't give too much coverage to these people; don't let them exist here. If they hold a press conference, invite us along as well so we can address them all at the time," he said. (fzm/iwa)