It is alleged the Indonesian authorities have committed numerous counts against the separatist movement since the country took control from the Dutch in 1963. Meanwhile the local population continually complain the wealth generated from the resource-rich region flows to the wealthy elite in Jakarta while Papuans remain poor.
West Papua hosts the world`s largest gold and the third largest copper mine in the world in a joint venture between mining giants Rio Tinto (40 percent) and U.S. based Freeport-McMoRan Inc. The Grasberg mine is seeking to transition from open pit to underground mining in late 2017, ramping up production to process approximately 240,000 tonnes of ore daily if its contract extension with the Indonesian government is granted.
Indonesia`s defence minister Ryamizard Ryacudu told reporters in Sydney on Monday that the island nation had never disputed claims made by other countries on their territorial sovereignty and expected the same regarding Papua.
"There are countries that are getting involved in the issue of Papua. For us, Papua is (part) of the united Republic of Indonesia. The united Republic of Indonesia extends from Sabang (in Sumatra) to Papua. There is no other solution, that`s it, that`s the way it is," Ryacudu said in Sydney.
Ryacudu was in Sydney on Monday with Indonesian foreign minister Retno Marsuid for a 2+2 bilateral meeting on defence, national security including counter terrorism and economic issues with Australian foreign minister Julie Bishop and defence minister Marise Payne.
Bishop confirmed the Papuan issue was raised in the meeting, along with a host of other regional issues, restating "as we have done on many occasions, publicly and privately, our unconditional support and respect for Indonesia`s sovereignty in this regards."
Bishop also insisted relations between Australia and Indonesia are in good shape following a diplomatic dispute between the two countries on the execution of convicted drug smugglers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran and the controversial boat turn back policy.
"We have shared common interests across a broad and diverse range of areas," Bishop told reporters at the end of the dialogue.
"There is room for us as two G20 economies to do a great deal more together."
Indonesia warns countries to stay out of Papua issue
21 December 2015
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Indonesia has given other countries a stern warning to respect its sovereignty and stay away from controversial issues surrounding it`s Papuan territory.
