He said that Papuan people should sit together and discuss how to promote development in Papua.
Response to KNPB calls
In response to the desire of the KNPB – National Committee of West Papua for all its members to surrender to the police and to call on the Bishop to mediate, he said that this was quite acceptable as long as the organisation’s intentions were genuine and it was not simply seeking to meet the Bishop which might cause people to suspect their intentions.
He described the KNPB as an organisation that has rejected all the programmes of the government such as Special Autonomy, UP4B and other things
‘I have the impression that the KNPB refuses to listen to anyone. I would not want to listen to things that they are doing at a time when they are becoming ever more determined and radical. I dont know how long the KNPB will continue to reject any improvements. Perhaps they are seeking to get something that they have not been able to get so far.’
[COMMENT from Tapol: Perhaps what the Bishop describes as radical is the recent call by the KNPB for a referendum to be held in West Papua.]