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| Sunday, 09 April 2006 |
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Indonesia pledges to ensure state funds for Papua are well spent JAKARTA, April 8, 2006 (AFP) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Saturday pledged to ensure 1.4 billion dollars of state funds allocated to improve welfare in the troubled province of Papua are properly spent. "I have to assure that those money can be used completely for the promotions of the welfare of the people and it needs the accountabilities of all leaders in Papua as well," Yudhoyono said. Yudhoyono said his visit to Papua this week to review health, education and poverty issues in the easternmost province showed that "there must be a close communication, close cooperation" between the central government and Papua administrators. "We have to engage directly in improving the welfare of the people. We have allocated a lot of money (for Papua)," the president told a press conference with visiting Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende at his side. Indonesia won sovereignty over Papua, a former Dutch colony, in 1969 after the UN allowed an integration referendum by about 1,000 hand-picked leaders which was widely regarded as a sham. Yudhoyono said Jakarta could convince Papuans that "we are doing good things for Papua by ensuring that all programs are well-implemented, that all efforts including the allocations of our budget can be used properly." The president's pledge followed his warning Monday that Indonesia would not tolerate any elements, including in Australia, providing backing to separatists in Papua. Canberra caused a furore here by granting 42 Papuan asylum-seekers temporary visas last month. Jakarta recalled its ambassador and called for a review of all cooperation with its southern neighbour. The Papuans have accused Indonesia of "genocide" in troubled Papua. Australian Prime Minister John Howard, in a move to ease Indonesian outrage over the decision, said Friday his government would review the visa process. Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, speaking after the press briefing, said "there are some points" from Howard's statement that needed further clarification. "It was not quite clear what was meant by reviewing. Is it a review of the current situation - meaning (particularly regarding about) the 42 Papuans who were granted temporary visas, or (was it about) the future process?" Wirayuda told reporters. Papuans have long accused Indonesia's military of violating human rights
in the province and complained about the bulk of earnings from its rich
natural resources flowing to Jakarta rather than themselves. |
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