VZCZCXRO4899
OO RUEHDT RUEHPB
DE RUEHJA #0574/01 0901002
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 311002Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1988
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JAKARTA 000574 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, EAP/ANP, EAP/RSP 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/31/2019 
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS ID PP
SUBJECT: INDONESIA AND PAPUA NEW GUINEA -- GOOD NEIGHBORS 
AT THE BORDER 
 
Classified By: Pol/C Joesph L. Novak, reasons 1.4 (b+d). 
 
¶1.  (C) SUMMARY:  Indonesia has overcome past tensions to 
forge a neighborly and increasingly cooperative cross-border 
relationship with Papua New Guinea (PNG).  Although traffic 
and trade between Indonesia and PNG remains small, Indonesian 
officials are seeking to expand it.  A new border crossing 
near Jayapura, the provincial capital of Papua region in 
eastern Indonesia, is boosting links between the two 
countries.  Poloff's recent visit to the border confirmed 
these developments.  END SUMMARY. 
 
A TROUBLED HISTORY 
 
¶2.  (C) Relations across Indonesia's border with Papua New 
Guinea (PNG) have not always been easy.  Following the 1969 
incorporation of Papua--formerly Dutch New Guinea--into 
Indonesia, some Papuan independence supporters fled into PNG. 
 Indonesian officials long suspected that elements in PNG 
supported Papuan separatists groups in Indonesia, 
particularly the Papua Freedom Movement (OPM).  As a result, 
traffic across the nearly 450-mile border was minimal for 
decades. 
 
¶3.  (C) The region's rough terrain also created problems. 
Much of the border traverses rugged mountains covered by 
dense forest.  Only two official border crossings exist: 
near Merauke at the southern end and near Jayapura. the Papua 
provincial capital, in the north.  Apart from these two 
crossings, the border remains poorly demarcated. 
 
INCREASING BORDER TRAFFIC 
 
¶4.  (C) The GOI is now promoting cross-border commerce, 
Indonesian officials told poloff during a March visit to a 
newly constructed border crossing near Jayapura.  They 
reported approximately 2,000-3,000 border crossings per month 
by people using traditional border crossing cards (TBC). 
(Note:  The Indonesian government issues TBCs to people 
living near the border who have family members on the PNG 
side.  It recognizes PNG-issued TBCs for entry into 
Indonesia.)  Most of these are short-term visitors who cross 
for a few days to shop and visit family before returning to 
PNG. 
 
¶5.  (C) Indonesian immigration officials reported that around 
200-250 people cross the border using passports each month. 
Most of these are Indonesian or PNG residents who do not 
qualify for the TBC.  Indonesian passport inspectors told 
poloff that Malaysians comprise the largest group of 
third-country border crossers.  (Note:  Provincial government 
officials said several Malaysian forestry companies had 
operations on the PNG side.) 
 
¶6.  (C) Indonesian officials stressed that the staffing of 
its immigration, customs and quarantine agencies at border 
crossings was entirely civilian.  Military and police forces 
patrolled the border itself but were not involved in the 
operation of border crossings.  A Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
(DEPLU) official assigned to the Papua provincial government 
to handle cross-border issues told poloff that 
"demilitarizing" the border crossing had been a GOI priority. 
 Indonesian officials believed a non-intimidating atmosphere 
at the border was essential to promoting cross-border 
contacts.  During poloff's visit, relations between military 
and civilian officials at the border appeared cordial and 
professional. 
 
POSITIVE CENTRAL/PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT RELATIONS 
 
¶7.  (C) The border crossing also represents a good example of 
cooperation between the central government and Papua 
provincial government.  Central government officials handle 
the operation of the border crossing itself.  The provincial 
government is responsible for promoting cross-border trade 
and other contacts.  Officials from the provincial government 
and from the Ministry of Home Affairs cited the division of 
responsibility over the border crossing as an example of the 
success of the Papua Special Autonomy Law. 
 
¶8.  (C) Indonesian officials hope that increased border 
traffic will bring increased trade.  The provincial 
government has financed the construction of a large shopping 
area near the border that is slated to open in May 2009. 
(Note:  A large informal market already exists there.) 
Provincial government officials said that PNG residents 
reported finding a greater range of goods at better prices 
available on the Indonesian side. 
 
JAKARTA 00000574  002 OF 002 
 
 
 
HUME