Suchergebnisse

"This is a participant history of the struggle for indigenous rights in West Papua, New Guinea, against exploitation and "slow-motion genocide" by Indonesian and New Zealand elites. Using recently declassified documents, the manuscript charts the evolution of New Zealand foreign policy to frustrate the aims of pro-independence leaders in West Papua. It also provides historical background to the ideology and actions of West Papuan independence efforts, with help from trade unions, student groups, aid agencies and other support groups in New Zealand and around the world."--Provided by publisher

Inhaltsverzeichnis: 1. Setback to nuclear-free hopes 2. Nuclear warships on the horizon chapter 3. The nuclear power debate 4. The rising tide of protest 5. Pacific grassroots movements 6. Local body action 7. No room for compromise 8. Helen Caldicott galvanises the movement 9. The warships onslaught 10. Bases exposed: Black Birch, Harewood and Tangimoana 11. 1984: seeing off the last of the warships 12. Nuclear-free election victory 13. The Buchanan debacle 14. The Rainbow Warriror 15. Self-determination 16. Anzus at an end, but its trace remains 17. UN International Year of Peace: educating the next generation.

Many New Zealanders, even in politically aware circles, have a limited understanding of West Papua and frequently confuse the Indonesian-controlled territory with its neighbour Papua New Guinea. This reflects the limited mainstream media coverage of the territory and of the ongoing conflict that is taking place there. However, in 1962 and again in 1969, the New Zealand media gave considerable attention to the crises that enveloped West Papua and determined its subsequent destiny. The territory's Pacific location was often highlighted and the statements of West Papuan leaders were reported. The year 1962 saw escalating Indonesian military intervention in the territory and subsequently the signing of the controversial US-brokered New York Agreement between the Netherlands and Indonesia. In 1969 Indonesia conducted an 'Act of Free Choice' which was widely seen by external observers as a fraudulent act of self-determination. This article gives examples of this historic coverage and considers what might be done to bring about change and to bring West Papua back into the frame as a Pacific neighbour.

Indonesia is trying to build an international reputation as a nascent democracy and is proud of having been re-elected in 2007 to the United Nations Human Rights Council for a three-year term. But the problems in West Papua make this democratic reform story questionable. While Indonesiakeeps this troubled province off limits to foreign journaluists and human rights investigators, Indonesia's human rights credibility should be critically examined. Indonesia's incorporation of West Papua has been contested ever since it took control in 1963. West Papua's fate was sealed by a 1969 'Act of Free Choice' which is known as the 'Act of No Choice' by the Papuans, since it was carried out under extreme duress and only 1022 men were allowed to vote (Saltford, 2003). The province remains heavily militarised and opposition to Indonesia's rule persists.