Armed Forces chief-of-staff denies that situation in Papua not peaceful

Bintang Papua,20 January 2010
Abridged in translation by TAPOL

Jayapura: In response to a call by the National Human Rights Commission - Papua for the security forces to be withdrawn from Papua as they have failed to give Papuans a sense of security and tranquillity, the chief of staff of the Indonesian armed forces, KASAD said that while they were ready to  be criticised, those who do so should come forward with facts and evidence. 'Talking is not enough, we need evidence,' he said.

General  George Toisutta went on to deny that the situation in Papua was not peaceful. 'Who is it who is saying that it's not peaceful?' He said that people are able to go about their daily activities on the streets. If things were not peaceful, the road to Sentani would certainly be deserted in the evenings but the proof is that this road is busy with people day and night.

Asked about the plan to create a new Kodam (provincial military command) in Papua which some people are in favour of while others are against, Toisutta said that this was still under consideration. He was speaking to journalists following the handover ceremony of the command of the Cenderawasih Military Command  from Major-General Nasution to Major-General Hotma Marbun. While agreeing that different views could be expressed, he said  that those on each side represented their own interests.

Pressed by journalists to say whether a new Kodam would be created in Papua, Toisutta said that, while a new Kodam would be created in West Kaliamentar, the creation of a new Kodam in Papua was still under consideration.