PAPUA -- SUSPECTED ANTI-JAKARTA MILITANTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L JAKARTA 000876 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, EAP/ANP NSC FOR E.PHU E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/20/2019 TAGS: PGOV PINS ID SUBJECT: PAPUA -- SUSPECTED ANTI-JAKARTA MILITANTS REPORTEDLY SEIZE SMALL AIRSTRIP REF: JAKARTA 687 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Pol/C Joseph L. Novak, reasons 1.4(b+d) ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Suspected anti-Jakarta militants have reportedly seized a small airstrip in a remote, rugged region of Papua in eastern Indonesian. The GOI is sending police to the region to restore control. The apparent seizure of the airstrip is the latest in a slew of recent security-related incidents in the restive Papuan region. Some observers speculate that anti-Jakarta Papuans are trying to use the national election campaign timeframe to publicize their cause. END SUMMARY. AIRSTRIP REPORTEDLY SEIZED ¶2. (U) There has been another security incident in the restive Papua region of eastern Indonesia. On May 17, suspected anti-Jakarta rebels reportedly seized control of a small airstrip in the remote Mamberamo Hilir District in Papua's central highlands. The airstrip is located approximately 180 miles from the provincial capital of Jayapura. A spokesman for the Indonesian police said militants were joined by youths from the region in seizing control of the airstrip. The small group was equipped with firearms and radio equipment. It remains unclear whether the suspected rebels made any specific demands. The group reportedly has hung the banned Papuan "Morning Star" flag over a building at the airstrip. GOI SENDS IN THE POLICE ¶3. (U) The GOI is intent on re-establishing control. Papua Police Chief General Bagus Ekodanto said that personnel from elite units, including Detachment-88 and the Mobile Brigade, have been dispatched to re-take the airstrip. Security forces continue to have difficulties reaching the area, however. The rugged region is accessible only by air or boat, complicating matters for the police. The Indonesian military reportedly may join the operation, providing logistical and helicopter transport to the remote area. Ekodanto said the GOI has contacted Papuan religious and community leaders in the hopes of negotiating a peaceful resolution to the incident. A SLEW OF INCIDENTS ¶4. (C) The apparent seizure of the airstrip is the latest in a slew of recent security-related incidents in the restive Papuan region. These attacks--all of which have been relatively small scale--have spiked in the past several weeks. Some observers speculate that anti-Jakarta Papuans are trying to use the national election campaign timeframe to publicize their cause. (Note: The presidential election takes place in July; national parliamentary elections were held in April.) ¶5. (C) It is unclear whether the violence involves the outlawed separatist Papau Freedom Movement (OPM). The OPM is believed to continue to operate, but to be quite small. There is no indication, in any case, that the latest ratcheting up in tensions represents a serious challenge to the GOI. That said, the situation underscores the need for continued outreach by the government to Papuans, even as the GOI works to make autonomy provisions more effective. HUME