Thousands of Papuans Demand Referendum

Translated from Bahasa Indonesia

http://www.tempo.co/read/news/2012/02/20/058385129/Ribuan-Warga-Papua-Tuntut-Referendum

Senin, 20 Februari 2012 | 13:27 WIB

TEMPO.CO, Jayapura, Thousands of Papuans who are members of the National Committee occupied the building of West Papua People's Assembly in Kotaraja Papua, Jayapura, Monday, February 20, 2012. Protesters demanding a referendum and ask for the revocation Unit to Accelerate Development of Papua and West Papua.

"We don’t want UP4B, we don’t want autonomy, we want a referendum," said Mako Tabuni, a spokesman for the National Committee, Monday, February 20, 2012.

He said that independence for Papua is fixed price. Special autonomy stipulated in Law No. 21 of 2001 has failed to improve the life of the people of Papua. "Autonomy failed. The unit also will not work. That's just sweets politics of Jakarta to Papua, "he said.

Thousands of demonstrators walk from Kotaraja Waena, the Papuan People's Assembly building. They carried banners reading "Referendum". The demonstrated also shouted "Papua" and was greeted with shouts of "Merdeka". "Indonesia has failed. Today we prove that the Papuans want independence in their own land, "said Alfius, a protester.

Tempo’s observation, at least two trucks of policemen were escorting the peaceful ral. As a result of this demonstration, the main road Sentani, Jayapura standstill. A number of shops and petrol stations closed. "Yes, afraid that if anything happens, so we closed," said Marni, a shop owner.

Arriving at the building MRP, the masses marched around the office using the motor assembly. However, no one of MRP members came out to meet the protesters.

Until this news was revealed, demonstrators are still flooding the courtyard of the MRP. "Be safe, not anarchists, we send hundred personnel for security of the protesters," said Police Chief City of Jayapura, Alfred Sr. Comr Papare.

http://www.tempo.co/read/news/2012/02/20/058385129/Ribuan-Warga-Papua-Tuntut-Referendum

ENDS