ID :
61964
Fri, 05/22/2009 - 19:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://www.oananews.org//node/61964
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GOVT TO TRY NEGOTIATIONS WITH ARMED GROUP IN MEMBRANO
Jakarta, May 22 (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo Adi Sutjipto said the government would take a "persuasive approach" in dealing with the armed group that had occupied an airstrip in Papua.
"We will not take steps that could be considered as violating human rights although their actions can already be categorized as separatist," he said at a coordination meeting here on Friday.
Since May 19, 2009 a Free Papua Organization (OPM) armed group has taken control over the Kaisiepo airstrip in Membramo, Papua.
"We are still seeking the best way to settle the incident through communications and negotiations to establish their motive and know their demand. The location is difficult to reach but we will prioritize negotiations," he said.
National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander General Djoko Santoso corroborated Widodo's statement saying the government and the TNI would continue to try settling the problem through negotiations.
"Only after negotiations fail will firm actions be taken," he said.
He said in the situation in Papua in general was secure and under control. "Overall, there is no problem. Secuirty codiitions are good," he said.
Earlier, Papua Police Chief Inspector General Bagus Ekodanto said that he had sent a police force from Freeport to Membramo. He said the decision was taken following a report of the occupation and a request from the Membramo community and head of the Membramo Raya district.
Bagus said it took two days to reach the location by a feeder aircraft from Jayapura.
He said the situation in Membramo was indeed quite serious, adding that a group of people had taken control over the airstrip and prevented villagers from entering the area.
Besides sending troops Membrano, the Papua police had also coordinated with local church and community leaders to hold negotiations with the group.
"If negotiations fail, the police will take actions to take back the airstrip and normalize the situation in the district," he said.
Besides occupying the airstrip, the group had also hoisted the separatist Morning Star flag at the airstrip.
"We will not take steps that could be considered as violating human rights although their actions can already be categorized as separatist," he said at a coordination meeting here on Friday.
Since May 19, 2009 a Free Papua Organization (OPM) armed group has taken control over the Kaisiepo airstrip in Membramo, Papua.
"We are still seeking the best way to settle the incident through communications and negotiations to establish their motive and know their demand. The location is difficult to reach but we will prioritize negotiations," he said.
National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander General Djoko Santoso corroborated Widodo's statement saying the government and the TNI would continue to try settling the problem through negotiations.
"Only after negotiations fail will firm actions be taken," he said.
He said in the situation in Papua in general was secure and under control. "Overall, there is no problem. Secuirty codiitions are good," he said.
Earlier, Papua Police Chief Inspector General Bagus Ekodanto said that he had sent a police force from Freeport to Membramo. He said the decision was taken following a report of the occupation and a request from the Membramo community and head of the Membramo Raya district.
Bagus said it took two days to reach the location by a feeder aircraft from Jayapura.
He said the situation in Membramo was indeed quite serious, adding that a group of people had taken control over the airstrip and prevented villagers from entering the area.
Besides sending troops Membrano, the Papua police had also coordinated with local church and community leaders to hold negotiations with the group.
"If negotiations fail, the police will take actions to take back the airstrip and normalize the situation in the district," he said.
Besides occupying the airstrip, the group had also hoisted the separatist Morning Star flag at the airstrip.
