Press Release West Papua National Coalition: The OPM Claim the Recent Shooting

The OPM claimed responsibility for killings or shootings around the mining area, including the recent shooting on Mile 60 on 24th January 2010.

“The OPM has claimed every involvement in this shooting. The shooting is aiming to drive to the process of dialogue in West Papua. Therefore, this type of action will be stop when the dialogue is in a good progress”, said Dr. Otto Ondawame, leader of the OPM and Vice Chairman of the WPNCL.

The OPM and its TPN have publicly declared their full support for the independence of Papua. The late General Kelly Kwalik as Supreme Commander of the West Papuan National Liberation Army and member of the WPNCL gave his full endorsement to the initiative of independence of Papua with all means. His firm stand was well known.

One remaining question is how the Government of Indonesia reaction to tackle the recent shooting? The answer to this question is not easy to find. However, it has been well recorded that OPM has at lot armed guerillas. These anti-peace groups do not want to bring a lasting peace in West Papua because they have an enormous fear that any achievement of peace in the territory means a big loose for them. The shooting in the recent case is a provocative activity aiming to offer a dialogue between the Government of Indonesia and leaders of West Papua.