National interest in West Papua

The kidnapping of New Zealand pilot Philip Mehrtens by West Papuan National Liberation Army (TPNPB) rebels is a worrying development at an unfortunate time. It has drawn global attention to the longstanding concerns of indigenous West Papuans who do not accept Indonesian rule. But hostage-taking and making threats against other nations will do little to help the West Papuan cause. It is likely only to entrench even further the domestic tensions that have resulted in an upshot in violence.

The diplomatic reality remains that Australia will not risk its political ties and growing defence relationship with Indonesia over West Papua. Australia’s bigger interest lies in strengthening relations with Indonesia as part of a regional counterbalance to China’s expansionist aspirations.

Australia’s stand on West Papua was made clear at the time of our military involvement as peacekeepers in Indonesia’s bloody withdrawal from East Timor. Supporters of West Papua’s independence push at that time were told in no uncertain terms that East Timor must not be seen as a template for what could happen elsewhere. Australia will not support West Papuan independence because of its interest in preserving Indonesia’s territorial integrity.

The possibility of a domino effect, where a successful independence push in one area provokes a wave of similar claims across the archipelago, is a significant concern for Indonesia’s national government. A disintegration of Indonesia would have dramatic implications for regional stability and Australia’s national interests. That said, there are longstanding concerns about the treatment of West Papuans by the Indonesian military, which has a big financial interest in continuing to control a region that was secured for Indonesia in a controversial 1969 referendum in which 1025 people selected by the Indonesian military voted unanimously in favour of Indonesian control.

None of this can justify the actions of TPNPB in kidnapping a foreign national whose plane was torched after landing with five passengers on board. The rebel group has issued a series of demands in return for Mr Mehrtens’ release, including that Australia, New Zealand, the US and European nations stop arming and training Indonesian security forces and police, which it accuses of mass human rights abuses in the country’s easternmost province. Withdrawing military contact and training is unlikely to achieve the ends the rebels are seeking. Close engagement and pressure to respect human rights and observe the rule of law are the most beneficial contributions foreign powers can make to what is legally an internal domestic problem for Indonesia.