From: Carmel Budiardjo, tapol@gn.apc.org,
Date: Tue, 19 Aug 1997 14:34:55 +0100 (BST).

Churchmen from three churches based in the administrative district of Mimika have written to the Governor of Irian Jaya (West Papua), the military commander, the provincial chief of police and the regional assembly complaining about the second phase of the 1 per cent Trust Fund set up by Freeport, which is due to commence in August 1997. The following is their statement, slightly summarised.

The problems that have up to the present disturbed unanimity and peace within the community in the region will recur during the second phase. In view of the fact that matters of principle for the community have not been attended to, we categorically reject the second phase of the release of the 1 per cent Trust Fund by Freeport. The reasons for this rejection are as follows:

1. The status of the Trust Fund is unclear;
2. The system and mechanism for channeling the Trust Fund to the Integrated Regional Timika Development Plan (PWTT) gravely neglects the Amungme tribe (in particular the Beanal, Magal, Omaleng, Bualeng, Omabak, Narkime, Jamang and Kum clans) as well as the Kamoro tribe who have the strongest claim with regard to the Freeport Company Contract of Work (COW);
3. The position adopted by Freeport and the government in ignoring the Amungme and Kamoro tribal rights and sharing out the Trust Fund to other tribes and clans (Moni, Ekari, Dani, Damal, Nduga) who have no rights in this matter is gravely at variance with the system of customary law that functions among the native inhabitants of Irian Jaya (West Papua).
4. The neglect of the tribes and clans who are most directly entitled and the adoption of an incorrect system and mechanism for handling the Trust Fund during the first phase led to social jealousies, conflict and tribal warfare within the community.
5. In order to avoid the outbreak of further conflicts and tribal warfare which so gravely damaged harmony and tranquility last March, the churches in Timika were required to deal with a number of local problems including alcoholism and the use of the 1 per cent Trust Fund (see Joint Statement of the Mimika Churches, March 1997).
6. A Social Audit conducted by the consultancy firm, Labat and Anderson, in June 1997 revealed that as a result of incorrect management, many of the PWTT projects failed to comply with the criteria and resulted in the misuse of funds.

In view of the above, we leaders of the GKII, the Catholic Church and the GKI in Timika:

1. Call on the government and Freeport to immediately enter into dialogue with the Amungme and Kamoro tribes and clans (whose rights are most directly affected) and who are the owners of the resources (the mountain, the land etc) which are now controlled by and are being exploited by Freeport.
2. Call on Freeport and the government to immediately undertake an evaluation of the use of the 1996/97 phase of the 1 per cent Trust Fund, and make public the results of this evaluation.
3. Call on Freeport and the government to clarify the status and present position of the 1 per cent Trust Fund for the community.

If the Government and Freeport fail to take our proposals into account and if problems arise within the community as a result of the second phase of the 1 per cent Trust Fund, our churches will do nothing to intervene.

The statement is signed by:

Rev. Isak Onawame, Chairman of the Mimika branch of GKII

Rev..... Hutapea, Chairman of the Mimika branch of GKI

Pastor Rahangiar, Pastor of the Timika Tiga Raja Parish

Pastor Nato Gobay, Timika Tiga Raja Parish