Border incursion
Cliffird Faiparik; 14/7/08
Inodnesian soldiers have defied diplomatic and military protocols and continue to violate international border agreements with Papua New Guinea. Government Ministers Belden Namah (Forest) and his Housing and acting Internal Security colleague, Andrew Kumbakor, were told by villagers and PNG Defence Force personnel at Wutung in Vanimo, Sandaun province, that there had been numerous border incursions allegedly made by the Indonesians at the end of May, June and this month, with the latest being last Saturday and yesterday evening. In one such incident, army personnel said the Indonesians defaced a cement PNG border monument at Wutung by spray-painting it with their 408 battalion symbol. Angry PNG police and soldiers could not retaliate as there were no specific rules of engagement in place. Instead, all they could do was face the Indonesians and order them to leave PNG soil. The ministers and Sandaun Governor Simon Solo were in Vanimo yesterday to get a first-hand briefing from provincial government officials, police and PNG Defence Force personnel on the ground on these alleged illegal crossings.
See: http://www.thenational.com.pg/071408/nation1.php
No clear policy on West Papuans: Abal
Harlyne Joku; 14/7/08
Papua New Guinea has no clear policy on how to deal with the West Papuan people now seeking refuge in the country, Foreign Affairs, Immigrations and Trade Minister Sam Abal told Parliament last week. But he said they were welcome to stay in PNG. Mr Abal said if the West Papuans prefer to be resettled in another country, then it is up to the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) to make the decision. He urged UNHCR to talk to the West Papuans and decide whether they should be resettled in a third country. He said those now residing in Port Moresby have the right to apply for citizenship in PNG. Mr Abal, however, said some West Papuans had a mixed feeling about applying for citizenship because they have lived in PNG for more than 30 years and have not been made certain of their status, whether they can become permissive residents or PNG citizens and have the same rights as Papua New Guineans.
See; http://www.thenational.com.pg/071408/nation9.php
Tags: Indonesia, PNG, Refugees, West Papua