ID :
15656
Tue, 08/12/2008 - 15:25
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/15656
The shortlink copeid
RI REJECTS US CONGRESSMEN'S REQUEST ON TWO OPM SYMPATHIZERS
Jakarta, Aug 12 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government will not meet the request of a group of United States Congressmen to release two convicted sympathizers of the outlawed separatist Free Papua Organization (OPM), a spokesman said.
Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said here on Tuesday President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would not reply to the request made in a letter signed by 40 US Congressmen.
"The president will not reply to the letter but the Foreign Affairs Ministry will do so through the Indonesian ambassador in Washington D.C.," Dino said.
According to the presidential spokesman, the US Congressmen lacked balanced information about Indonesia and had been influenced by anti-Indonesian groups in the US capital.
In their letter sent to President Yudhoyono late last month, the US legislators asked for the "immediate and unconditional" release of Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage who 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.
"We frequently receive letters from the US Congress which acts as if it had the absolute authority to comment on issues in other countries," Dino said.
He said no country in the world was supporting the separatist movement in Papua, while all UN members recognize the Unitary State of the Indonesian Republic (NKRI) including Papua as part of the NKRI.
"Thus, politically we are in a strong position and therefore there is no need to be overly concerned about the letter," Dion said.
The 40 US Congressmen in the letter urged President Yudhoyono to take action to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Karma and Pakage.
"We, the undersigned, members of the U.S. Congress, respectfully call to your attention the cases of Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage who, in May 2005, were convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the legitimate and peaceful exercise of their freedom of expression in Abepura, Papua, on December 1, 2004," the US Congressmen said in their joint letter.
Presidential spokesman Dino Patti Djalal said here on Tuesday President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono would not reply to the request made in a letter signed by 40 US Congressmen.
"The president will not reply to the letter but the Foreign Affairs Ministry will do so through the Indonesian ambassador in Washington D.C.," Dino said.
According to the presidential spokesman, the US Congressmen lacked balanced information about Indonesia and had been influenced by anti-Indonesian groups in the US capital.
In their letter sent to President Yudhoyono late last month, the US legislators asked for the "immediate and unconditional" release of Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage who 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.
"We frequently receive letters from the US Congress which acts as if it had the absolute authority to comment on issues in other countries," Dino said.
He said no country in the world was supporting the separatist movement in Papua, while all UN members recognize the Unitary State of the Indonesian Republic (NKRI) including Papua as part of the NKRI.
"Thus, politically we are in a strong position and therefore there is no need to be overly concerned about the letter," Dion said.
The 40 US Congressmen in the letter urged President Yudhoyono to take action to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Karma and Pakage.
"We, the undersigned, members of the U.S. Congress, respectfully call to your attention the cases of Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage who, in May 2005, were convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the legitimate and peaceful exercise of their freedom of expression in Abepura, Papua, on December 1, 2004," the US Congressmen said in their joint letter.
