TEMPO.CO, Jakarta- Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, said that Free Papua Organization (OPM) office in Oxford, Britain has a particular effect to the bilateral relation. "There is however a clarification between the two countries," said Purnomo to the Press at his office, Thursday.
At the clarification, England admitted that Papua is part of Indonesia. Purnomo has a clear understanding of the situation since Britain is a democratic country, saying that OPM is taking advantage of the British democracy principle by showing up to the international world. Furthermore, Purnomo added, British government will still support Indonesian government.
Purnomo gave another example. It is just like Australia, being an escape destination to the OPM, yet Australian government remains committed to Indonesian sovereignty with Papua as part of Indonesia.
Prior to this, OPM officially set up an office in Oxford, Britain. The opening was attended by Britsih Parliament member, Andrew Smith, Oxford Mayor, Moh Niaz Abbasi, Former Oxford Mayor, Elise Benjamin, and the Coordinator of Free West Papua Campaign (FWPC), Benny Wenda.
Also attending the opening were Papua New Guinea rugby player, Paul Aiton, Jennifer Robinson and Charles Foster from the international lawyer group for West Papua, Oxford University students, and other Papuans in the Netherlands and OPM supporters in Britain.
INDRA WIJAYA
