http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_461152.html

<http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/SEAsia/Story/STIStory_461152.html >

The Straits Times Dec 1, 2009

1) Police detain protesters


JAKARTA - POLICE detained several protesters flying outlawed
independence flags on Tuesday during peaceful demonstrations against
Indonesian rule in the restive Papua province, an official said.

At least two demonstrations in the provincial capital Jayapura marked
the 48th anniversary of the Free Papua Movement declaring independence
from Dutch colonial rule. Their claims were denied by the Dutch and
later by Indonesia.

Papua Police chief Brig Gen Bekto Suprapto told reporters that several
men were detained for holding an unauthorised demonstration. They also
confiscated several illegal Morning Star flags, symbols of an
independent Papua, and leaflets advocating independence, Suprapto said.
No charges have been laid.

Local media reports said about 30 people were detained in two separate
locations in Jayapura. A report also said police fired shots, but that
could not be verified immediately.

Human rights group Amnesty International urged authorities on Monday to
investigate allegations of police killings and abuses in Papua. The
London-based organisation released an open letter to Suprapto, alleging
that police officers killed two men and beat dozens of demonstrators in
custody since late last year.

Indonesian authorities - wary of secessionists - have cracked down on
separatist protesters in the poor eastern province, where there is a
small but resilient independence movement. Foreign journalists are
barred from travelling to Papua. -- AP

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http://www.tempointeractive.com/hg/nasional/2009/12/1-/brk,2009121-211148,uk.html

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/12/01/parliamentary-caucus-rejects-military-command-w-papua.html

*2) Parliamentary caucus rejects military command in W. Papua*

*Nethy Dharma Somba* ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Jayapura   |  Tue,
12/01/2009 1:25 PM  |  The Archipelago

There is no need for the Indonesian Military (TNI) to set a territorial
command in West Papua, says the Papua Parliamentary Caucus.

"Establishing a new military command in West Papua is not urgent. What
is urgent is how to improve the wellbeing of Papuans," said caucus
activist and Regional Representatives Council (DPD) member, Paulus
Sumino on Monday, in Jayapura, Papua.

He said that should the military command be intended to provide security
for people, the government should not necessarily develop the military
base, but should instead ensure that Papauns were empowered.

The government should also strengthen the role of the police and its
intelligence capacity, he added.

Most importantly, Paulus said, is that the government should improve the
quality of the existing Cendrawasih military command and the welfare of
its personnel so they could carry out their jobs more professionally.

"I have seen that many soldiers assigned to remote areas are living in
bad shape.

"So it's better to reallocate the funds for the establishment of a new
military command to improve the welfare of the troops," he added

Earlier this month, newly inaugurated Army chief of staff, Lt. Gen.
George Toisutta, said the TNI would set up two new military commands in
West Kalimantan and West Papua in an apparent bid to revitalize its
much-criticized territorial function.

The move was part of the military's tireless efforts to maintain state
sovereignty over its large territory and "prevent any infiltration by
foreign enemies", he argued.

"Should the government press ahead with its plan for a new military
command in Papua, it will face resistance from the public, because it
will just reopen old wounds resulting from military operations in
Papua," said Julees Rimet Assa Ongge, a local human rights activist.

He called on the legislative councils in Papua and West Papua to oppose
the new military command.

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*http://www.tempointeractive.com/hg/nasional/2009/12/1-/brk,2009121-211148,uk.html

<http://www.tempointeractive.com/hg/nasional/2009/12/1-/brk,2009121-211148,uk.html>*

*3) Military Retrieve Personnel Ahead of Separatist Anniversary*
Tuesday, 1- December, 2009 | 02:06 WIB

*TEMPO /Interactive/*, *Jakarta*: Authorities in the Puncak Jaya Regency
said the armed forces have bowed to the regional administration's
request to retrieve their troops form the region ahead of the
anniversary of the Free Papua Movement on Tuesday (1/12).

Head of the regency Lukas Enembe told reporters in Jayapura on Monday
that about 200 personnel will be returned to their respective battalion.
“Those who are being retrieved were guarding the posts along the road to
Tingginambut.”

The report was confirmed by head of the Public Communication Officer
with the Cendrawasih XVII Military Command Lieutenant Colonel Susilo.
Reports said the 200 personnel were those with the 756th and 754th
battalion in Wamena district in Jayawijaya Regency, and Lt. Col. Susilo
said later that the troops will be replaced by new troops.

Tingginambut was site of several incidents during the lengthy
presidential election period which saw two police personnel from its
elite mobile brigade unit killed in April and June and one military
personnel injured in August.

The pull out according to Lukas was in line with his request made
several months ago to be have security responsibility handed over to
police and local residents.
The flag of the separatist movement, the Morning Star was usually flown
during the anniversary of the group and during other protests or
politically charged situation in the region. There were at least two
reports of flags being found since Sunday ahead of the anniversary, in
two areas in Jayapura, the seat of the province.

Papua Police Chief, Brigadier General Bekto Soeprapto acknowledge the
delicate security issue especially during the anniversary of Free Papua
Movement, but he said a commemoration for the former chief of the group
Theys Hiyo Eluay at his grave in Sentani, Jayapura on Tuesday will not
be banned. However Brig. Gen Bekto said “I have to remind that there
should be no one is going to incite disorder or we will not hesitate to
apply strict measure according to the law."