Hearings on the issue in Papua in the U.S. Congress which was held on September 22, 2010 was initiated by Eni FH Faleomavaega, chairman of the Subcommittee of the U.S. Congress. The hearing invited leaders of Papua as Octavianus Mote, Nicholas Messet, Henkie Rumbewas, Franzalbert Joku, some scholars such as Eben Kirksey, Pieter Drooglever and others and off course Benny Wenda was not considered as a Papuan leader due to the fact that he is only self-proclaimed leader.
They were invited to give such testimony and statements about the circumstances in Papua. These hearings grew into a new round of international discussions on the Papua issue because the U.S. Congress invited the leaders from both sides the pro-independence Papuan and the pro-special autonomy such as Nicholas Messet and Franzalbert Joku of the Independent Group Supporting the Special Autonomous Region of Papua Of Within The Republic Of Indonesia (IGSSARPRI). The U.S. Congress is doing much better approach than UK Parliament because they can get input of Papua from two sides, which will provide objective data supported by evidence that can be justified. Read the rest of this entry »