He was doing a very good job. But, the facts remain.
The contradictions cannot be wished away. Firstly, in terms of geography Jakarta already lost the game. It is the Indonesian capital city. It is also thousands of kilometers away Jayapura, Port Moresby, Honiara, Port Vila, Suva and Noumea. These are capital cities of the six Melanesian countries including West Papua who make up the membership of MSG.
Secondly, Jakarta must deal with all five countries in Melanesia. West Papua’s Melanesian Papuans belong to the family of Pacific islanders in PNG, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu, and Kanaky.
So, Franzalbert Joku was a big plus for Indonesia’s ‘dollar diplomacy’ or ‘soft diplomacy’ after the fall of military dictator Soeharto in 1999. This ‘security approach’ was to contain the secessionist aspiration and Papuan nationalism.
Thirdly, with Franzalbert Joku's passing, the problem with the ‘Look East Pacific Diplomacy’ comes up. And, the gap will become greater for Indonesian diplomats to fill.
Dr Chauvel said:
"They have acquired some of that background knowledge, but I don't think that they can speak to their counterparts in Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands and PNG from the same position as Franzalbert could, as a Pacific Islander."
Franzalbert Joku was an actor both for, and against the independence struggle. He defined his space in the decades since 1960s as a Papuan nationalist who voted with his feet by crossing the border. But, he also had a profile or dossier that Indonesia needed being a prime ministerial aide and news paper editor in the biggest Melanesian country where he lived most of his professional life. PNG. Or, West Papua.
It matters little because it is the same Papuan nation.
And, he was on home turf. In the 1960s, scores of Papuan families trickled across the Papuan border. By 1985, the refugee population numbered up to 30,000 at the peak of the exodus to escape persecution from a man – made problem. They voted with their feet as Indonesia invaded.PNG was the sanctuary. But, it was for many years, and still today, not the land of milk and honey for many of them.
Freedom was the solution.
Papuans from the other side seemed like cargo cultists. And, West Papua was the unwanted cargo that moved from port to port in the region, and throughout the world looking for its owner. He died a bitter person. PNG was free. West Papua stood right at the tail end. He returned to his homeland.
At the 48th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Apia, Western Samoa, in 2017 Franzalbert Joku was a senior staff member of Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
He rubbished a peaceful protest highlighting the plight of West Papua in a raised voice, accompanied by the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to New Zealand, Samoa and Tonga, Tantowi Yahya, when he addressed a press conference where they responded to the protest.
Both Ambassador Yahya and Joku emphasised that Indonesia had a role to play in the Pacific especially due to the Pacific community’s focus on the Blue Pacific.
Mr Yahya said: ‘ …the protest could have overshadowed the main agendas of the conference.’
They said West Papua was not on the agenda.
Mr Joku said West Papua issue is not new to the Pacific:
“It’s regrettable that Pacific Islanders all of the sudden want to address the Papua issue, now.”
He said the Papua issue has been at the forefront since the late 50s and early 60s.
And, during that period Papuans had seen the worst; and the Pacific Island nations were silent until now when they are making issue about West Papua and its right to independence.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/391484/vanuatu-minister-wants-stronger-west-papua-stance
’West Papua was relegated to the history pages.’
His other statements were:
(1) A lot of constitutional changes have taken place since. For instance, constitutional empowerment, emancipation, and initiatives are underway for Papuans to develop their land.
(2) The conclusion of the West Papua issue will not be dictated by any forum or any other country because Papuans cried for help and no one heard.
(3) Pacific Island Forum is not the place for the issue to be discussed.
(4) West Papua and its future is an issue that cannot be dictated by anyone except Papuans themselves, and they will decide what they want to do.
(5) Pacific Island countries including Australia and New Zealand, have not come to West Papua’s aid.
(6) The steps taken by Jakarta to put in place constitutional mechanism is designed to empower Papuans constitutionally, politically, economically and socially.
(7) Papuans are happy with these arrangements and will pursue the outcomes at their own pace.
He said: ‘….We’ve never seen Samoans and Fijians. And don’t pretend you want to help us. We know what we want. Come and visit West Papua.’
Franzalbert joku’s message was simple. It is long past time for West Papua to be free.https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/381522/international-attention-drawn-to-west-papuan-struggle
Thank you, Ondofolo. The fight will go on, the idea stays. RIP freedom fighter.
(Photo Caption: Late Franzalbert Joku - at the height of the 'Papuan Spring' in 1999/2000 with Papuan nationalism at its peak, he was foreign affairs spokesman; dialogue with Indonesia on West Papuan independence - 'Indonesia's 'security approach' vs UN Responsibility to Protect Doctrine, hard talk is avoided; Foreign Rimbink Pato - former PNG Foreign Minister; ULMWP - Chairman Benny Wenda sent PNG's new PM James Marape congratulatory message; Papuan nationalism - popular mobilisation by Papuans for self - rule still alive today)
