Papuans want to return: Jakarta

August 12, 2008

For all Papuans in Europe who want to return to the peace land of Papua, who want to support democracy in Indonesia, who want to bring peace to Papua, who want to develop Papua, who want to contribute positively in finding solution for Papua, please feel free to contact westpapuafree@gmail.com

Sidney Morning Herald

Mark Forbes in Jakarta
August 11, 2008

SOME of the 43 Papuans who sparked a diplomatic crisis by seeking asylum in Australia want to return to Indonesia, according to the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Hassan Wirayuda, who has offered to assist them.

In an exclusive interview before talks today with the Australian Foreign Minister, Stephen Smith, Mr Wirayuda revealed that some of the Papuans had indicated a desire to return, a development that would be “good for both Australia and Indonesia”. The move would be a public relations coup for Jakarta.

He said Australian pleas could help spare the lives of those members of the Bali nine on death row and cautioned the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, not to “rush” his push for an Asia Pacific community. Read the rest of this entry »