The Australian, 5 April 2006: "Embassy denounces Leak;

THE FACTS used to base the conclusions in last Sunday’s article Polite rebuff required {Brian Toohey, April 23) are flawed and out of date. He claims that “the evidence of serious human rights abuses [by the military and Islamic militia units] is overwhelming”.

Since President Yudhoyono’s tenure commenced, the Government and the military have not engaged in activities of the sort you describe. There is no genocide or systematic mass murder, torture, rape or militant activity in Papua. In the event of individual cases of brutality, these are looked upon as criminal rather than political matters, and the perpetrators are brought to justice through the courts.

The military itself has undergone significant reforms with regard to respecting human rights, and the Government as well has set up or funds a range of human rights institutions and mechanisms to address human rights issues, such as the National Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Courts.

There are no extremist militant units operating in Papua. Laskar Jihad disbanded itself a few years back and its activities were unacceptable to the majority of Indonesians.

Neither has the Government recently sent thousands of extra troops to Papua. According to the latest information I have, there are fewer than 6000 troops in Papua. Their main task is to secure our border with Papua New Guinea.

Of course, as a result of our recent reforms, the military and the national police are now separate identities. Responsibility for internal law and order now rests solely with the police. Moreover, any involvement of the military in domestic security, as well as increases in the military personnel employed in trouble spots, requires parliamentary approval.

Unfortunately, members and supporters of the separatist movement, both in Papua and elsewhere, continue to make claims and concoct stories to suit their own ends. When we hear of such accusations (including those made recently by Senator Nettle in the Australian Parliament) they are always checked out with the appropriate authorities and, without exception, they have been found to be baseless.

As to the question of journalists being barred, the situation is not quite as bad as you portray. Indeed, I am aware that some Australian journalists have visited Papua in the last few weeks.

Dino R. Kusnadi, First Secretary,

Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia


The Canberra Times, 30 April 2006 page 20 Letter of the week Papuan abuse claims flawed and out of date
THE FACTS used to base the conclusions in last Sunday’s article Polite rebuff required {Brian Toohey, April 23) are flawed and out of date. He claims that “the evidence of serious human rights abuses [by the military and Islamic militia units] is overwhelming”. Since President Yudhoyono’s tenure commenced, the Government and the military have not engaged in activities of the sort you describe. There is no genocide or systematic mass murder, torture, rape or militant activity in Papua. In the event of individual cases of brutality, these are looked upon as criminal rather than political matters, and the perpetrators are brought to justice through the courts. The military itself has undergone significant reforms with regard to respecting human rights, and the Government as well has set up or funds a range of human rights institutions and mechanisms to address human rights issues, such as the National Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Courts. There are no extremist militant units operating in Papua. Laskar Jihad disbanded itself a few years back and its activities were unacceptable to the majority of Indonesians. Neither has the Government recently sent thousands of extra troops to Papua. According to the latest information I have, there are fewer than 6000 troops in Papua. Their main task is to secure our border with Papua New Guinea. Of course, as a result of our recent reforms, the military and the national police are now separate identities. Responsibility for internal law and order now rests solely with the police. Moreover, any involvement of the military in domestic security, as well as increases in the military personnel employed in trouble spots, requires parliamentary approval. Unfortunately, members and supporters of the separatist movement, both in Papua and elsewhere, continue to make claims and concoct stories to suit their own ends. When we hear of such accusations (including those made recently by Senator Nettle in the Australian Parliament) they are always checked out with the appropriate authorities and, without exception, they have been found to be baseless. As to the question of journalists being barred, the situation is not quite as bad as you portray. Indeed, I am aware that some Australian journalists have visited Papua in the last few weeks. Dino R. Kusnadi, First Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia