House speaker deplores US congressmen`s letter on Papua

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker Agung Laksono said he deplored the action of a number of US Congressmen in writing a letter demanding the release of two sympathizers of the outlawed separatist OPM (Free Papua Organization).

"It (the letter) indicates arrogance. It creates the impression as if they are the police of the world," he told the press at the parliament building here.

He said Indonesia had the right to punish anybody found guilty of committing misdeeds.

Forty US Congressmen had sent a letter to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono demanding the "immediate and unconditional" release of the two OPM symphatizers identified as Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage.

Filep Karma and Yusak Pakage were sentenced to 15 years and 10 years imprisonment respectively in May 2005 for hoisting the OPM`s "Bintang Kejora" (Morning Star) flag in Abepura, Papua, on December 1, 2004.

Foreign Minister Hasan Wirajuda said at the weekend he would soon reply to the US Congressmen`s letter. "We will reply to the letter as soon as possible. In essence, we wiil ask the US government to respect the legal decision in our country."

The DPR chief said the US Congressmen`s letter was an "act of interference in Indonesia`s internal affairs, unpraiseworthy and showing an intent to provoke."

The Indonesian government should deal with the issue in a resolute way based on the truth in the matter and through the proper procedures, he said.

Laksono also called on world powers not to apply double standards and act objectively. (*

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