Jakarta stands firm over tight grip on Papua
Hamish McDonald; 12/6/08
Senior Indonesian political leaders are looking to Kevin Rudd to restore the warmth in bilateral relations felt under the previous Labor prime ministers Gough Whitlam and Paul Keating, but they expect Canberra to keep repeating the mantra that Papua is an intrinsic part of the Indonesian Republic. In meetings with Australian media editors two weeks ago, there was no sign of any quid pro quo to open up Papua to outside monitors of the development and human rights situation. The still-restive territory was transferred to Indonesia by the reluctant Dutch in 1963, 13 years after they quit their former East Indies realm.
Tags: Australia, Indonesia, West Papua