Author: Stephen V. HarrisPublisher: Study of Australian-Asian Relations
ISBN:
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 104
Book Description
This paper examines the events of 1984 in Irian Jaya against the historical and political background to the movement for independence from Indonesia. It also suggests how Australia should respond to the situation. The authors explain the reasons for the movement of 11,000 Irianese across the border into Papua New Guinea and the policies of the Indonesian and PNG Governments. According to the authors, the conflicts which began in February 1984 between the Free Papua Movement (OPM) and Indonesian troops are related to earlier conflicts occurring since 1963 when control of Irian Jaya passed from the Netherlands to Indonesia. Because of the fighting and other grievances against the Indonesian Government, Irianese crossed the border into PNG where they are regarded as illegal entrants, not refugees. In the opinion of the authors, both governments wish to see these people repatriated, but differ as to the conditions under which the repatriation should take place. Continuation of the problem is leading to instability which is not in the interests of Australia. Australia should exert diplomatic pressure so that a durable solution can be found. For most of the people, repatriation is the only solution. However the authors conclude that repatriation should be voluntary and dependent on an improvement in the conditions that led to their flight and an easing in the impact of Indonesian administration on the Irian culture.