Kompas
Newspaper - August 21, 2013
In a press statement,
Carr also warned activists who are citizens of his country that they would be
subject to a sentence of five-years jail if they take the risk of violating
Indonesian immigration regulations because they will be entering Indonesian
territory without permission.
The
Australian foreign minister also accused the activists of spreading gross lies
as if the agenda of Papuan independence has already become an international
issue.
The ships
carrying 20 activist reportedly departed from a port in Cairns in the
Australian state of Queensland on August 17. They are expected to reach
Indonesian territory within the next three weeks.
Speaking
separately, Natalegawa acknowledged that Carr had raised the issue at the
bilateral meeting. The Indonesian government is simply taking a position of
listening to Australia's explanations of the matter and its commitment to
Indonesia's sovereignty and does not feel the need to issue a statement in
relation to the case.
"We
don't wish to respond to the behaviour of a certain group who are simply
seeking publicity and do not know for sure what will happen in Papua",
said Natalegawa.
Late last
week, Special Presidential Staff Member for International Relations, Teuku
Faizasyah, said that the government through the foreign minister had warned
Australian representatives to pay attention to the legal aspects and permits
that are in effect when entering the sovereign territory of another country.
Coordinating
Minister for Political, Justice and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto has stated
that the Australian activists' ship is not sailing to Papua but to Papua New
Guinea. (WHY/DWA)
[Isu Papua:
Australia Takkan Bela Aktivisnya – Kompas. Rabu, 21 Agustus 2013.
Translated by James Balowski for the Indoleft News Service.]
