Solving the conflict in Papua

detikNews
8 February 2010
(Just received)

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono supports the suggestion that former Vice-President Jusuf Kalla who is now the chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross should get involved in solving the conflict in Papua. His expression of support came in a phone call and also during a meeting at the presidential palace a short while ago.

'Go ahead, Pak Kalla. I will support you,' he said, as quoted by Jusuf Kalla. Kalla said this at his office at the Red Cross

Kalla had previously had a meeting with the National Human Rights Commission, Komnas HAM. The Commission had expressed the wish that Jusuf Kalla should help solve the conflict in Papua which has intensified recently following the death of Kelly Kwalik, a leader of the separatist movement in Papua.

According to Kalla, the comprehensive way to solve the conflict is by means of dialogue. In his approach to the task, he said he would act with caution and take a step-by-step approach, based on the data available.

'I need to study the details, before taking any action,' he said, adding that it would only be after dialogue that steps would be taken to restore the situation systematically.

He said that dealing with the conflict in Papua would require special attention. With the (enactment of) the law on special autonomy and a very large injection of funds, it should have been possible for development activity to be under way and an end to the conflict.'

'We need to see some consolidation in development activity in Papua,' he said.

He said that the conflict consisted only of local outbursts, but even so, it should not be taken lightly. 'Generally speaking, the situation is peaceful, but there are occasional outbursts. It is very important to prevent any radical thinking,' he said.