Lowy Institute Paper on West Papua Debate
Pitfalls of Papua
Rodd McGibbon
Australia's granting of temporary protection visas to 42 Papuan asylum seekers in April 2006 sparked diplomatic tensions culminating in the recall of the Indonesian ambassador. The diplomatic imbroglio triggered by these events repeated a long history in which the bilateral relationship has been subject to fluctuating fortunes. The crisis also catapulted the Papua issue into the forefront of Australian political debate and boosted support for the cause of West Papuan self-determination.
In this paper the author warns that Australian activists have distorted public perceptions about West Papua, and calls on the Howard Government to rethink its policies toward West Papua to avoid tensions with Indonesia, and to counteract the myths supporting Papuan independence.
To read Pitfalls of Papua, click on:
Lowy Institute Paper 13
Rodd McGibbon
Australia's granting of temporary protection visas to 42 Papuan asylum seekers in April 2006 sparked diplomatic tensions culminating in the recall of the Indonesian ambassador. The diplomatic imbroglio triggered by these events repeated a long history in which the bilateral relationship has been subject to fluctuating fortunes. The crisis also catapulted the Papua issue into the forefront of Australian political debate and boosted support for the cause of West Papuan self-determination.
In this paper the author warns that Australian activists have distorted public perceptions about West Papua, and calls on the Howard Government to rethink its policies toward West Papua to avoid tensions with Indonesia, and to counteract the myths supporting Papuan independence.
To read Pitfalls of Papua, click on:
Lowy Institute Paper 13
posted by Pax Christi @ Tuesday, October 10, 2006
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