INDONESIA: BLOOD ON ALL HANDS
October 2002 2130
Singing
02:14
Williams: High in some of the most remote valleys on earth a forgotten people cry for freedom.
Singing
02:31
Williams: In 33 years of Indonesian rule, up to 100,000 West Papuans have been killed or disappeared.
The way they see it their rich reserves of timber and minerals have been ripped off, their women raped by troops, their lands swamped by Indonesian migrants -- little wonder many seek self-determination.
02:57
Tribal dancer: We want independence. We want independence.
03:04
Williams: Jakarta has tried to address these demands with a with a new autonomy package which promises Papuans a greater share and more control.
Williams: But many Papuans feel this falls short of their demands and have unsuccessfully sought international support.
03:28
Now the brutal murder of two American school teachers on this road two weeks ago demands the attention of the worlds most powerful nation -- and America might not like what it finds.
Singing
04:00
Williams: Carved from West Papuas soaring southern peaks, Freeport Mine is one of the worlds biggest deposits of copper and gold
04:09
its Indonesias single biggest tax source -- and a multi-billion dollar profit for its American owners.
04:18
Senior expatriates are taken of here their food flown in their children taught at a special international-school.
Music
04:27
Williams: Thirteen teachers at that school were returning from a barbeque along this, the only road to the mine.
Music
05:13
Williams: At around one oclock, as mountain mist rolled over the ridges, they came to a grassy rise beside the road. From behind that rise gunmen suddenly attacked - spraying their two vehicles with automatic gunfire. Ninety-three bullets hit the vehicles, many going straight through. Two Americans and an Indonesian died instantly.
05:16
The killings drew an immediate response from West Papuas military commander General Mahidin Simbolon a man, as well see, whos name recurs around pivotal events in the province.
05:28
He quickly blamed the attack on guerrillas from the Free Papua Movement the OPM.
Indonesias most senior diplomat in Australia agrees.
05:40
Cotan: I firmly believe that it is the work of the OPM. They are terrorists because what they have so far had is an act of terrorism.
Williams: The OPM?
Cotan: Yes. Killing people, kidnapping people -- these are terrorist acts you cannot qualify otherwise.
06:07
Williams: In particular, General Simbolon blames the attack on this man OPM Southern Command leader Kelly Kwalik.
From thick jungle around the mine Kwalik has for years led a guerrilla resistance to what he sees as Indonesias repressive rule.
06:23
Kwalik: I regard Freeport and the government of Indonesia and military of Indonesia
06:30
as criminals, thieves, oppressors, rapists, destroyers of all life and destroyers or all laws.
06:42
Williams: Kwalik recently agreed to join efforts seeking a peaceful solution to Papuas problems. So elusive is Kwalik that these pictures from 1996 are the most recent.
06:57
But in a signed, stamped statement Kelly Kwalik specifically denies Indonesias claims that his OPM fighters attacked the American teachers.
07:08
Do not accuse the TPN of this. From 1977 until 2002 we have never denied our activities. This oppressive act was undertaken by the TNI, Indonesias armed forces.
07:23
Cotan: Well certainly we welcome the statement by Kwalik but unfortunately the OPM has a lot of splinter groups, so he cannot speak on behalf of those groups.
07:41
Williams: Freeport did receive a letter allegedly from the leader of one of those OPM splinter groups -- this man Titus Morib. It claimed the attack on Freeport is the start of a campaign targeting commercial interests in West Papua. It comes amid reports that some hardline OPM fighters are frustrated with the autonomy package and the lack of progress towards a referendum on independence.
08:10
But Indonesian police question the armys version of events, and have so far ruled out action by the OPM. Instead some witnesses say the gunmen wore camouflage uniforms and used military-style weapons -- adding weight to the claim that, as in East Timor, Indonesian security forces could have organised and paid for the raid.
08:34
Ballard: There are several options.
08:35
One is that it is indeed the OPM acting independently. Another logical option is -- and weve seen cases of this elsewhere in papua that its an OPM unit thats been given a green light to operate in this way and often armed and supplied by the indonesian military. The third option that its the indonesian military themselves acting with some long term goal in mind.
Music
09:02
09:07
Williams: But why would Indonesian troops kill Americans? Well, this is not the first time people have been attacked along this razor-back road, despite being heavily guarded by Indonesian troops.
09:22
Ballard: In all of these incidents the indonesian military has been very quick to blame the OPM, but it does look rather as though it was one of a series of so called black incidents, in which the goal is quite specifically to argue the case for an increased military, to make the case
09:39
you have an active armed opposition, that the only appropriate response is to increase military activity in the area.
09:47
Williams: Even Indonesias deputy ambassador in Australia cant fully rule out that the army was involved in the killings.
09:55
Cotan: Again, I am definitely sure that it is an act of terrorism on the part of the OPM. I would simply like to stress, Evan, that we should not and cannot rule out any possibilities.
10:17
Williams: One reason no-one trusts the army is its history. In June 2000, West Papuan independence leader Theys Eluway led a landmark Papuan Peoples Congress. It ruled the Indonesian annexation of West Papua invalid and promised a referendum.
10:38
Just a few months later Theys Eluway was dead.
10:43
Again Papuas Military Commander General Simbolon was quick to comment, saying there were no signs of torture and that Theys died of a heart attack during army questioning.
10:54
But a police investigation found hed been strangled, and nine Kopassus special forces soldiers have now been charged with his murder - but they will only face a military tribunal - not a court.
11:07
Rumbiak: The murder of Theys Eluway was a state crime, not an ordinary crime.
11:13
There are official policies outlining the policy of Jakarta to crack down on separatist movement.
11:21
Williams: West Papuas leading human rights investigator, John Rumbiak, is calling for an international investigation to find out who ordered Theys execution. But he warns this is just the start of a new crackdown.
11:54
Speaking at a small Sydney University peace conference just two days after the Freeport killings, John Rumbiak confirmed that most of the Papuan social workers and rights activists in this room are now themselves targets of a new Indonesian police operation.
Rumbiak: We have the full documents of this Operasi Adil Matoa thats the way the police chief of Papua call it.
12:01
This operation, according to the police chief, is targetting the political activists and all other institutions that he claims are hiding behind human rights, social issues and while they mean separatists.
11:54
Cotan: This operation, whatever its name is, would take stern actions against those who would want to secede from Indonesia. So please dont qualify them as social workers. Williams: Well Im using the langauge of the report itself.
Cotan: Well we will target those who will commit an act of separatism. That I can assure you.
Music
12:56
Williams: And there are even more worrying signs of Papuas potential descent in to violence. Dressed in white for Holy War, this is the Laskar Jihad - a group of Islamic militants whove caused much of the bloodshed in outlying Christian islands like Ambon..
13:13
They act with the support of elements of the Indonesian armed forces, and theyre now in seven West Papuan towns
Rumbiak: We have leaked documents suggesting there are already 3000
Williams: 3000?
Rumbiak: 30000 Laskar Jihad in Papua.
13:36
They have got pakistanis coming in based in their office and training them. We have this kind of evidence. The big problem is that the police dont do anything to investigate this.
13:49
In the comments of one of the Laskar Jihad leaders -- they were engaging with the security forces to combat separatist activities in papua.
14:02
Williams: With nothing more than sticks, this is a Papuan pro-independence group. But for many Papuans the raising of militia - both Laskar Jihad and some local Papuans - is a chilling reminder of Jakartas strategy in East Timor. And perhaps its not surprising.
14:22
General Simbolon is now Indonesias military commander in West Papua.
14:27
But between 1995-97 he was the military commander in East Timor during the height of Indonesias brutal military occupation. Rights activists say he should be tried for war crimes
14:42
but hes never been named.
14:50
Whether he was making an honest assessment or manipulating events, it was Simbolon who quickly blamed the OPM for the murder of the Americans at Freeport two weeks ago. And there is a lot of mileage for Indonesias military in blaming the Papuan separatists in the post-September 11 world.
15:05
Rumbiak: Politically speaking you have to look from a global perspective of the war against terrorism around the world now. This is a clear message to the american citizens and the american government that there are terrorists in Papua, they kill your people and this is the time to fight against them.
15:30
Williams: The timing is interesting. Washington fears Indonesia could become - if its not already - a haven for Al-Qaeda operatives.
15:51
Just a few ago Secretary of State, Colin Powell, announced in Jakarta the resumption of 50-million US dollars in anti-terrorism aid.
This was given mainly to the police as a congressional mandate bans the resumption of aid to the Indonesian military until someone is properly tried for the violence in east Timor all have so far been acquitted. But Jakarta will use some of this aid to help fight the Papuans.
16:12
Cotan: We lack sufficient military equipment to deal with internal dynamics in Indonesia,
16:19
so certainly we need help not only from the United States but also from friendly countries.
16:33
Music
Williams: Its too early to tell who murdered the Americans on this road but as in East Timor and with the murder of Theys Eluway
16:48
-- if Indonesias security forces organised it then the masterminds are unlikely to ever be caught. If it is in fact a hardline uprising then the results could be devastating. All the more reason that this time the world should heed the Papuan plea for a credible international investigation that could help stop the killing.
17:09
Music
Rumbiak: We are trying to appeal to you?
17:10
THAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH THE QUESTION OF THE DIGNITY AND PRIDE OF THE PAPUANS. WERE GOING TO BE FINISHED SOME DAY SOON
17:22
THATS WHATS GOING ON NOW ARE YOU GOING TO WAIT UNTIL ITS TOO LATE
17:42
WEST PAPUA Reporter: Evan Williams
Editor: Simon Brynjolffssen
October 2002 2130
Singing
02:14
Williams: High in some of the most remote valleys on earth a forgotten people cry for freedom.
Singing
02:31
Williams: In 33 years of Indonesian rule, up to 100,000 West Papuans have been killed or disappeared.
The way they see it their rich reserves of timber and minerals have been ripped off, their women raped by troops, their lands swamped by Indonesian migrants -- little wonder many seek self-determination.
02:57
Tribal dancer: We want independence. We want independence.
03:04
Williams: Jakarta has tried to address these demands with a with a new autonomy package which promises Papuans a greater share and more control.
Williams: But many Papuans feel this falls short of their demands and have unsuccessfully sought international support.
03:28
Now the brutal murder of two American school teachers on this road two weeks ago demands the attention of the worlds most powerful nation -- and America might not like what it finds.
Singing
04:00
Williams: Carved from West Papuas soaring southern peaks, Freeport Mine is one of the worlds biggest deposits of copper and gold
04:09
its Indonesias single biggest tax source -- and a multi-billion dollar profit for its American owners.
04:18
Senior expatriates are taken of here their food flown in their children taught at a special international-school.
Music
04:27
Williams: Thirteen teachers at that school were returning from a barbeque along this, the only road to the mine.
Music
05:13
Williams: At around one oclock, as mountain mist rolled over the ridges, they came to a grassy rise beside the road. From behind that rise gunmen suddenly attacked - spraying their two vehicles with automatic gunfire. Ninety-three bullets hit the vehicles, many going straight through. Two Americans and an Indonesian died instantly.
05:16
The killings drew an immediate response from West Papuas military commander General Mahidin Simbolon a man, as well see, whos name recurs around pivotal events in the province.
05:28
He quickly blamed the attack on guerrillas from the Free Papua Movement the OPM.
Indonesias most senior diplomat in Australia agrees.
05:40
Cotan: I firmly believe that it is the work of the OPM. They are terrorists because what they have so far had is an act of terrorism.
Williams: The OPM?
Cotan: Yes. Killing people, kidnapping people -- these are terrorist acts you cannot qualify otherwise.
06:07
Williams: In particular, General Simbolon blames the attack on this man OPM Southern Command leader Kelly Kwalik.
From thick jungle around the mine Kwalik has for years led a guerrilla resistance to what he sees as Indonesias repressive rule.
06:23
Kwalik: I regard Freeport and the government of Indonesia and military of Indonesia
06:30
as criminals, thieves, oppressors, rapists, destroyers of all life and destroyers or all laws.
06:42
Williams: Kwalik recently agreed to join efforts seeking a peaceful solution to Papuas problems. So elusive is Kwalik that these pictures from 1996 are the most recent.
06:57
But in a signed, stamped statement Kelly Kwalik specifically denies Indonesias claims that his OPM fighters attacked the American teachers.
07:08
Do not accuse the TPN of this. From 1977 until 2002 we have never denied our activities. This oppressive act was undertaken by the TNI, Indonesias armed forces.
07:23
Cotan: Well certainly we welcome the statement by Kwalik but unfortunately the OPM has a lot of splinter groups, so he cannot speak on behalf of those groups.
07:41
Williams: Freeport did receive a letter allegedly from the leader of one of those OPM splinter groups -- this man Titus Morib. It claimed the attack on Freeport is the start of a campaign targeting commercial interests in West Papua. It comes amid reports that some hardline OPM fighters are frustrated with the autonomy package and the lack of progress towards a referendum on independence.
08:10
But Indonesian police question the armys version of events, and have so far ruled out action by the OPM. Instead some witnesses say the gunmen wore camouflage uniforms and used military-style weapons -- adding weight to the claim that, as in East Timor, Indonesian security forces could have organised and paid for the raid.
08:34
Ballard: There are several options.
08:35
One is that it is indeed the OPM acting independently. Another logical option is -- and weve seen cases of this elsewhere in papua that its an OPM unit thats been given a green light to operate in this way and often armed and supplied by the indonesian military. The third option that its the indonesian military themselves acting with some long term goal in mind.
Music
09:02
09:07
Williams: But why would Indonesian troops kill Americans? Well, this is not the first time people have been attacked along this razor-back road, despite being heavily guarded by Indonesian troops.
09:22
Ballard: In all of these incidents the indonesian military has been very quick to blame the OPM, but it does look rather as though it was one of a series of so called black incidents, in which the goal is quite specifically to argue the case for an increased military, to make the case
09:39
you have an active armed opposition, that the only appropriate response is to increase military activity in the area.
09:47
Williams: Even Indonesias deputy ambassador in Australia cant fully rule out that the army was involved in the killings.
09:55
Cotan: Again, I am definitely sure that it is an act of terrorism on the part of the OPM. I would simply like to stress, Evan, that we should not and cannot rule out any possibilities.
10:17
Williams: One reason no-one trusts the army is its history. In June 2000, West Papuan independence leader Theys Eluway led a landmark Papuan Peoples Congress. It ruled the Indonesian annexation of West Papua invalid and promised a referendum.
10:38
Just a few months later Theys Eluway was dead.
10:43
Again Papuas Military Commander General Simbolon was quick to comment, saying there were no signs of torture and that Theys died of a heart attack during army questioning.
10:54
But a police investigation found hed been strangled, and nine Kopassus special forces soldiers have now been charged with his murder - but they will only face a military tribunal - not a court.
11:07
Rumbiak: The murder of Theys Eluway was a state crime, not an ordinary crime.
11:13
There are official policies outlining the policy of Jakarta to crack down on separatist movement.
11:21
Williams: West Papuas leading human rights investigator, John Rumbiak, is calling for an international investigation to find out who ordered Theys execution. But he warns this is just the start of a new crackdown.
11:54
Speaking at a small Sydney University peace conference just two days after the Freeport killings, John Rumbiak confirmed that most of the Papuan social workers and rights activists in this room are now themselves targets of a new Indonesian police operation.
Rumbiak: We have the full documents of this Operasi Adil Matoa thats the way the police chief of Papua call it.
12:01
This operation, according to the police chief, is targetting the political activists and all other institutions that he claims are hiding behind human rights, social issues and while they mean separatists.
11:54
Cotan: This operation, whatever its name is, would take stern actions against those who would want to secede from Indonesia. So please dont qualify them as social workers. Williams: Well Im using the langauge of the report itself.
Cotan: Well we will target those who will commit an act of separatism. That I can assure you.
Music
12:56
Williams: And there are even more worrying signs of Papuas potential descent in to violence. Dressed in white for Holy War, this is the Laskar Jihad - a group of Islamic militants whove caused much of the bloodshed in outlying Christian islands like Ambon..
13:13
They act with the support of elements of the Indonesian armed forces, and theyre now in seven West Papuan towns
Rumbiak: We have leaked documents suggesting there are already 3000
Williams: 3000?
Rumbiak: 30000 Laskar Jihad in Papua.
13:36
They have got pakistanis coming in based in their office and training them. We have this kind of evidence. The big problem is that the police dont do anything to investigate this.
13:49
In the comments of one of the Laskar Jihad leaders -- they were engaging with the security forces to combat separatist activities in papua.
14:02
Williams: With nothing more than sticks, this is a Papuan pro-independence group. But for many Papuans the raising of militia - both Laskar Jihad and some local Papuans - is a chilling reminder of Jakartas strategy in East Timor. And perhaps its not surprising.
14:22
General Simbolon is now Indonesias military commander in West Papua.
14:27
But between 1995-97 he was the military commander in East Timor during the height of Indonesias brutal military occupation. Rights activists say he should be tried for war crimes
14:42
but hes never been named.
14:50
Whether he was making an honest assessment or manipulating events, it was Simbolon who quickly blamed the OPM for the murder of the Americans at Freeport two weeks ago. And there is a lot of mileage for Indonesias military in blaming the Papuan separatists in the post-September 11 world.
15:05
Rumbiak: Politically speaking you have to look from a global perspective of the war against terrorism around the world now. This is a clear message to the american citizens and the american government that there are terrorists in Papua, they kill your people and this is the time to fight against them.
15:30
Williams: The timing is interesting. Washington fears Indonesia could become - if its not already - a haven for Al-Qaeda operatives.
15:51
Just a few ago Secretary of State, Colin Powell, announced in Jakarta the resumption of 50-million US dollars in anti-terrorism aid.
This was given mainly to the police as a congressional mandate bans the resumption of aid to the Indonesian military until someone is properly tried for the violence in east Timor all have so far been acquitted. But Jakarta will use some of this aid to help fight the Papuans.
16:12
Cotan: We lack sufficient military equipment to deal with internal dynamics in Indonesia,
16:19
so certainly we need help not only from the United States but also from friendly countries.
16:33
Music
Williams: Its too early to tell who murdered the Americans on this road but as in East Timor and with the murder of Theys Eluway
16:48
-- if Indonesias security forces organised it then the masterminds are unlikely to ever be caught. If it is in fact a hardline uprising then the results could be devastating. All the more reason that this time the world should heed the Papuan plea for a credible international investigation that could help stop the killing.
17:09
Music
Rumbiak: We are trying to appeal to you?
17:10
THAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH THE QUESTION OF THE DIGNITY AND PRIDE OF THE PAPUANS. WERE GOING TO BE FINISHED SOME DAY SOON
17:22
THATS WHATS GOING ON NOW ARE YOU GOING TO WAIT UNTIL ITS TOO LATE
17:42
WEST PAPUA Reporter: Evan Williams
Editor: Simon Brynjolffssen