Transcript
Indonesian authorities in New Zealand have scoffed at unconfirmed reports of a massacre in the remote central highlands of West Papua.
Human rights and political groups say more than 40 people went missing last month and up to 18 bodies have been found mutilated in ditches.
Achmad Gozali, the Minister-Counsellor at the Indonesian Embassy in New Zealand, says the reports are baseless and made by people wanting to discredit the efforts of the Indonesian government to develop the volatile region.
He spoke with Alex Perrottet.
ACHMAD GOZALI: So that is a baseless accusation. And, of course, we uncategorically denied the, quote unquote, reported killing. They just want to discredit the Indonesian government in our efforts to continue development in Papua.
ALEX PERROTTET: But should some photos or proof emerge, what would you have to say from the Indonesian perspective?
AG: I think the photos may be not true photos, right? Maybe it's a long-time photo that's been reproduced like that.
AP: What's the way forward for placating those in West Papua who want independence?
AG: We work very hard. We would like to develop not only in economy, but also in social culture of the Papuan people. They are our brothers and sisters under the Act of Free Choice in 1969.
AP: The Act of Free Choice. This is something that's almost accepted around the world, and by so many voices from within West Papua, that that was not a legitimate vote and, really, there has to be some coming to the table. Is there a more expedient way forward for there to be greater dialogue and a bit more harmony in that region?
AG: Actually, we are doing dialogues among Indonesians, because Papuans, it's our domestic affairs, of course. You know that's so.The dialogue between Indonesians and Papua, I think it's domestic affairs.
AP: But at some stage if there is a general groundswell in a particular province for independence, how would the Indonesian government respond to that?
AG: We don't want to entertain the independence, because Papua is our national sovereignty. (Indistinct)
AP: But these people are very different culturally and in many ways. They are Melanesian people, so...
AG: If you are talking about Melanesian people there, in Indonesia there are some 11 million Melanesian people, including Papua, Maluku and East Nusa Tenggara. So that's 11 million living in Indonesia.
