Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SECTINN02OF02JAKARTA1486
2008-08-05 08:07:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Jakarta
Cable title:  

PAPUANS TAKE TO THE STRETS IN LARGE, PEACEFUL

Tags:  PGOV PINS KISL ID 
pdf how-to read a cable
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C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTINN 02 OF 02 JAKARTA 001486

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EA,( EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/ANP, DRL, DRL/AWH
NSC FO E.PHU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/05/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINS KISL ID
SUBJECT: PAPUANS TAKE TO THE STRETS IN LARGE, PEACEFUL
PROTEST


6. (C) Evangeiical Protestant leaders sounded a more
alarmist note about what they consider the increasing
"Islamization" of Papua. Pastor Socrates Yoman told poloff
that Papuan Christians felt "under siege" from increasing
numbers of Muslim migrants from other parts of Indonesia. He
alleged a covert plot involving hard-line Muslim groups and
their allies in the government and military to bring more
Muslims to Papua. He said Christians were committed to
keeping Papua "a Christian land."

INCREASING SECTARIAN TENSIONS?


7. (C) The demonstration reflects simmering Christian-Muslim
tensions that mirror the tensions dividing indigenous Papuans
from migrants from other parts of Indonesia. Relations
between the two groups have been strained over a number of
issues, including the proposal to enact Bible-based laws in
Manokwari, the capital of West Papua province. Protestant
groups there claimed the law--which has not yet been
adopted--was an appropriate response to Sharia laws in other
parts of Indonesia (see reftel). Differences between
Catholic and Protestant groups over the demonstration also
revealed tensions among Papuan Christians.


8. (C) Religious issues aside, Papua remains restive. The
province's chronic underdevelopment and long-standing
political grievances against the central
government--including over the slow implementation of Special
Autonomy--have left many Papuans angry and resentful. The
central and provincial governments say they recognize that
there is a problem and that they are working to remedy it.

HUME