Page 30 - IB FEB 2017

West Papua
Slip, slipping away - Indon losing Melanesia

by Dan McGarry

LAST month, New Zealand-based analyst
Jose Sousa-Santos commented on Twitter
that “Indonesia’s attempt at buying sup-
port from the Pacific region seems to have
little to no impact on Melanesia’s stance
on (West) Papua”.
That’s one of those pesky observations
that’s neither entirely right nor entirely
wrong. The truth is: Indonesia is winning
almost every battle… and still losing the
fight.
Conventional wisdom used to be that A West Papuan protestor fighting for his people’s freedom. Top right: A pro-West Papuan rally Photos: Invictus
Indonesia had built an impregnable fire-
wall against Melanesian action in support Same seeds A trip to the United States was cancelled
of West Papuan independence. The same seeds have been planted in at the last moment because American
Its commercial and strategic relation- Port Vila, but they haven’t take root. authorities refused to let him board his
ship with Papua New Guinea is such Until recently, Indonesia’s ability to flight. It was alleged that an Indonesian
that PNG’s foreign affairs establishment derail consensus in the Melanesian complaint was the source of this refusal.
will frankly admit that their support for Spearhead Group has ensured that West Independence supporters claim that
Indonesia’s territorial claims is axiomatic. Papuan independence leaders lacked even Indonesian truculence has also led to Mr
Call it realpolitik or call it timidity, but they a toehold on the international stage. In the Wenda being barred from addressing the
feel that the West Papuan independence absence of international recognition and New Zealand parliament. His appearance
doesn’t even bear contemplating. legitimacy, the Indonesian Government at the Sydney opera house with human
Widespread grassroots support and its was able to impose draconian restric- rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson received
popularity among progressive up-and- tions on activists both domestically and a standing ovation from the 2500 audi-
comers such as Gary Juffa don’t seem to internationally. ence members… and an irate protest from
matter. As long as Jakarta holds the key Perhaps the most notorious example Indonesian officials.
to economic and military tranquillity, Port was their alleged campaign to silence Not all of Indonesia’s efforts are overt.
Moresby’s elites are content to toe the independence leader Benny Wenda, Numerous commentators made note of the
Indonesian line. who fled Indonesia after facing what he fact that Vanuatu’s then-foreign minister
The situation in Suva is similar. Fiji First claims were politically motivated charges Sato Kilman visited Jakarta immediately
is naturally inclined is toward a more au- designed to silence him. He was granted before his 2015 ouster of Prime Minister
thoritarian approach to governance. And political asylum in the United Kingdom, Joe Natuman.
it seems that the military’s dominance of but a subsequent red notice - usually
Fiji’s political landscape dovetails nicely reserved for terrorists and international Lifelong supporter
with Indonesia’s power dynamic. criminals - made travel impossible. Natuman, a lifelong supporter of West
Many argue that Fiji’s relationship is In mid-2012, following an appeal by Papuan independence, was a stalwart
largely mercenary. It wouldn’t flourish, human rights organisation Fair Trials, backer of membership in the MSG for the
they say, if the path to entente weren’t Interpol admitted that Indonesia’s red United Liberation Movement for West
strewn with cash and development as- notice against Wenda was “predominantly Papua, or ULMWP. He was unseated
sistance. That’s probably true, but we political in nature”, and removed it. barely weeks before the Honiara meeting
can’t ignore the sincere cordiality between Since then, however, activists have ac- that was to consider the question.
Fiji’s leadership and their Indonesian cused Indonesia of abusing anti-terrorism Kilman, along with Indonesian officials,
counterparts. mechanisms to curtail Wenda’s travels. vehemently deny any behind-the-scenes

30 Islands Business, February 2017