Vol. 533 No. 2
50 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the Government's attitude in relation to the imprisonment and ill treatment of the representatives of the West Papuan people; and the Government's attitude on the West Papuan claim for independence. [8393/01]
I am aware of reports of the imprisonment and ill treatment of public figures in Irian Jaya, West Papua. The situation there is a cause of concern to the Government and to the EU. In raising our concerns with the Indonesian authorities we have made known our readiness to support their efforts to address the many problems requiring action and reform in Indonesia, including addressing the situation in Irian Jaya, by moving towards greater decentralisation and autonomy without affecting Indonesia's territorial integrity.
We believe that such moves should take place on the basis of dialogue and negotiations, free from violence, between the Indonesian authorities and representatives of the local population. Any actions from either side which could hinder or make the prospect of dialogue more difficult must be a cause of concern. It is therefore my hope that reason would prevail, and that the utmost restraint would be exercised by all concerned, to allow the dialogue to proceed without further delay.
