Journalists to Papua Through Clearing House

Surabaya, May 29 (Antara) - The military chief Gen. Moeldoko said foreign journalist need to go through a clearing house before they start journalistic duty in Papua. The regulation is to prevent fake journalists carrying certain illegal mission  from entering the region, where security is still a problem with hidden separatists in its mountain jungles. "This is our hope. No journalist is allowed to enter freely. This is a sovereign country," the general said here on Friday. Recently , President Joko Widodo announced that foreign journalists are allowed to carry out journalistic duty in the region a decision lauded by Amnesty International. So far Papua has been closed to foreign journalists  as their report have been considered provocative and tended to embarrass the government. Moeldoko said the authorities will examine the work of the journalists to prevent them from filing libelous report. They would not be allowed to file reports that could provoke conflicts, he said. "No nonsense . We have to be firm . We are sovereign country  and we must not fall victim to anyone's tricks," he said. He pledged, however, the military will accommodate foreign journalists wanting to do journalistic duty in Papua as long as they report fairly. Intelligence officers in Papua would be responsible for the  security of the visiting journalists there, he said. "We don't want their life under threat. We will see that they would be safe . There is no special security preparation, but they should tell the authorities if they want to go to locations considered dangerous that the security authority could provide the necessary protection," he added. Earlier Defense Minister retired army general  Ryamizard Ryacudu said the government allows foreign journalists to visit Papua but "we have to be prepared for any violation of regulation by the journalists. "If they start provocation we just kick them out of the region. As simple as that,"Ryacudu said. He said "we welcome foreign journalists visiting Papua as long as they report only facts  and would contribute to the interest of the country and the people of Papua."  Coordinating Minister for Political Affairs, Law and Security  Tedjo Edhy Purdijatno said the decision of President Joko Widodo in opening Papua to foreign journalists is a strategic step to create a positive image of Indonesia internationally. So far mention of Papua has conjured up image of violence  and  human right violation, he said. Visiting foreign journalists, however, have to fully comply with the regulation of the country, he said. Foreign journalists have tended to spread only negative information about Papua  mainly  related to violence and alleged human right violation involving the military or police  and Papua backwardness. In addition it is not impossible that foreign journalists carry a certain mission that would gain from  political instability in Papua, he said.