ID :
15475
Sun, 08/10/2008 - 15:11
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/15475
The shortlink copeid
STATE SECRETARIAT HAS NOT YET RECEIVED US CONGRESS LETTER: MINISTER
Jakarta, Aug 10 (ANTARA) - Minister/State Secretary Hatta Radjasa said that until Sunday morning he had not yet received the US Congress letter which asked for immediate and unconditional release of two detained sympathizers of the outlawed Free Papua Movement (OPM), Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage.
"Up to know, we still have not yet received the letter," the minister said after accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the announcement of a national energy and water efficiency movement here on Sunday.
He said however that the treatment of such a letter should be based on the standing diplomatic procedures with the Foreign Ministry as a reference institution.
"Well, let us wait for it and see if truly there is such a letter," he said.
The minister's statement came up after 40 US Congressmen reportedly had written to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono demanding the "immediate and unconditional" release of two sympathizers of the outlawed separatist OPM (Free Papua Organization), Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage.
Karma and Pakage were sentenced to 15 years and 10 years imprisonment respectively in May 2005 for hoisting the "Bintang Kejora" (Morning Star) flag of OPM in Abepura, Papua, on December 1, 2004.
Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Sudjadnan Parnohadingrat confirmed the US congressmen had sent a letter to President Yudhoyono.
"It's true. The letter was dated July 29, 2008, and sent through us. We passed it on to Jakarta," Ambassador Sudjadnan told ANTARA last Wednesday.
He said the sending of the congressional letter to the president was not a trivial matter because it was signed by 40 US Congressmen.
Commander of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Gen. Djoko Santoso said the US Congress letter was a form of intervention into Indonesia's internal affairs.
He said that the detention of the two separatist OPM sympathizers was fully the internal affairs of the Indonesian government.
"Up to know, we still have not yet received the letter," the minister said after accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono during the announcement of a national energy and water efficiency movement here on Sunday.
He said however that the treatment of such a letter should be based on the standing diplomatic procedures with the Foreign Ministry as a reference institution.
"Well, let us wait for it and see if truly there is such a letter," he said.
The minister's statement came up after 40 US Congressmen reportedly had written to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono demanding the "immediate and unconditional" release of two sympathizers of the outlawed separatist OPM (Free Papua Organization), Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage.
Karma and Pakage were sentenced to 15 years and 10 years imprisonment respectively in May 2005 for hoisting the "Bintang Kejora" (Morning Star) flag of OPM in Abepura, Papua, on December 1, 2004.
Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Sudjadnan Parnohadingrat confirmed the US congressmen had sent a letter to President Yudhoyono.
"It's true. The letter was dated July 29, 2008, and sent through us. We passed it on to Jakarta," Ambassador Sudjadnan told ANTARA last Wednesday.
He said the sending of the congressional letter to the president was not a trivial matter because it was signed by 40 US Congressmen.
Commander of the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNI) Gen. Djoko Santoso said the US Congress letter was a form of intervention into Indonesia's internal affairs.
He said that the detention of the two separatist OPM sympathizers was fully the internal affairs of the Indonesian government.
