Detik.com - April 7, 2006
M. Rizal Maslan, Jakarta - Defense Minister Juwono
Sudarsono says that he has the names of six to seven
non-government organisations (NGO) that are
manipulating the Papua issue. Sudarsono is asking
the NGOs to be transparent about their funding
sources. If not, they will be audited.
“I am only asking the NGOs to please be transparent
and open so that they won’t be audited”, said
Sudarsono following a friendly discussion with
journalists at the ministry of defense on Jl. Medan
Merdeka Barat in Central Jakarta on April 7.
Sudarsono however refused to give the names of the
NGOs. “I’ve forgotten their names, but [we] have a
list and their addresses”, he said.
According to Sudarsono the NGOs must be open about
who is providing funding, the total amount received
and their ties to the donors. “Because NGOs often
challenge the government over questions of
transparency. So it would be good if they are
transparent about their finances”, he explained.
Sudarsono said that the government still objects to
the 42 Papuans being given visas on the ground that
they are being pursued by the military. “It’s not
true. If supposing Howard (Australian Prime Minister
John Howard) give visas to [people] seeking the
basic necessities of life as economic migrants, the
government wouldn’t have a problem. I think the
issue would be finished”, said Sudarsono in an
outburst of emotion (aan)
[Translated by James Balowski.]
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