INDONESIA AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA -- GOOD NEIGHBORS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000574

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/ANP, EAP/RSP

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/2019
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS ID PP
SUBJECT: INDONESIA AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA -- GOOD NEIGHBORS
AT THE BORDER

Classified By: Pol/C Joesph L. Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Indonesia has overcome past tensions to
forge a neighborly and increasingly cooperative cross-border
relationship with Papua New Guinea (PNG). Although traffic
and trade between Indonesia and PNG remains small, Indonesian
officials are seeking to expand it. A new border crossing
near Jayapura, the provincial capital of Papua region in
eastern Indonesia, is boosting links between the two
countries. Poloff's recent visit to the border confirmed
these developments. END SUMMARY.

A TROUBLED HISTORY


2. (C) Relations across Indonesia's border with Papua New
Guinea (PNG) have not always been easy. Following the 1969
incorporation of Papua--formerly Dutch New Guinea--into
Indonesia, some Papuan independence supporters fled into PNG.
Indonesian officials long suspected that elements in PNG
supported Papuan separatists groups in Indonesia,
particularly the Papua Freedom Movement (OPM). As a result,
traffic across the nearly 450-mile border was minimal for
decades.


3. (C) The region's rough terrain also created problems.
Much of the border traverses rugged mountains covered by
dense forest. Only two official border crossings exist:
near Merauke at the southern end and near Jayapura. the Papua
provincial capital, in the north. Apart from these two
crossings, the border remains poorly demarcated.

INCREASING BORDER TRAFFIC


4. (C) The GOI is now promoting cross-border commerce,
Indonesian officials told poloff during a March visit to a
newly constructed border crossing near Jayapura. They
reported approximately 2,000-3,000 border crossings per month
by people using traditional border crossing cards (TBC).
(Note: The Indonesian government issues TBCs to people
living near the border who have family members on the PNG
side. It recognizes PNG-issued TBCs for entry into
Indonesia.) Most of these are short-term visitors who cross
for a few days to shop and visit family before returning to
PNG.


5. (C) Indonesian immigration officials reported that around
200-250 people cross the border using passports each month.
Most of these are Indonesian or PNG residents who do not
qualify for the TBC. Indonesian passport inspectors told
poloff that Malaysians comprise the largest group of
third-country border crossers. (Note: Provincial government
officials said several Malaysian forestry companies had
operations on the PNG side.)


6. (C) Indonesian officials stressed that the staffing of
its immigration, customs and quarantine agencies at border
crossings was entirely civilian. Military and police forces
patrolled the border itself but were not involved in the
operation of border crossings. A Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(DEPLU) official assigned to the Papua provincial government
to handle cross-border issues told poloff that
"demilitarizing" the border crossing had been a GOI priority.
Indonesian officials believed a non-intimidating atmosphere
at the border was essential to promoting cross-border
contacts. During poloff's visit, relations between military
and civilian officials at the border appeared cordial and
professional.

POSITIVE CENTRAL/PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS


7. (C) The border crossing also represents a good example of
cooperation between the central government and Papua
provincial government. Central government officials handle
the operation of the border crossing itself. The provincial
government is responsible for promoting cross-border trade
and other contacts. Officials from the provincial government
and from the Ministry of Home Affairs cited the division of
responsibility over the border crossing as an example of the
success of the Papua Special Autonomy Law.


8. (C) Indonesian officials hope that increased border
traffic will bring increased trade. The provincial
government has financed the construction of a large shopping
area near the border that is slated to open in May 2009.
(Note: A large informal market already exists there.)
Provincial government officials said that PNG residents
reported finding a greater range of goods at better prices
available on the Indonesian side.

JAKARTA 00000574 002 OF 002



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