Irian Jaya looks to future

By Jakarta correspondent Richard Galpin

A landmark congress has opened in the Indonesian province of Irian Jaya to discuss the region's future including the possibility of independence.

Nearly 3,000 delegates and observers have gathered in the provincial capital Jayapura for the meeting, which is due to continue until Saturday.

Indonesia moved into the territory in 1963

Rebels fighting for Irian Jaya's independence have continued a low intensity guerrilla war against the security forces since the 1960s.

This is the first time since Irian Jaya became part of Indonesia more than 30 years ago that representatives of the local population have held such a large congress to discuss their future.

Many have never accepted the so-called Act of Free Choice of 1969, in which a small number of local leaders voted in favour of joining Indonesia.

Duress

The vote came six years after Indonesian troops took control of the area from the formal colonial power, Holland.

Many local people say the vote was carried out under duress.

Now, delegates representing the rebels of the Free Papua Movement, students, church leaders and non-governmental organisations are meeting together in the provincial capital to air their opinions on the way forward.

Indonesia has ruled out independence for Irian Jaya

A spokesman for the Free Papua Movement said it would be a forum for the people to express their desire to create an independent state.

But so far, it is not clear whether strong resolutions calling for independence will be permitted.

Disintegration

Certainly the Indonesian Government has categorically ruled out any other provinces breaking away from the republic after East Timor became independent last year.

The government fears the disintegration of the whole country.

President Abdurrahman Wahid, who had been invited to officially open the congress, backed out, over fears it would send the wrong signal to the local population.

But after years of brutal treatment at the hands of the Indonesian security forces, as well as exploitation of their natural resources, many people in Irian Jaya say independence is the only way forward.