1 May 2006

Norway calls on Indonesia to open Papua

1:32 pm on 1 May 2006

Norway's Foreign Ministry's State Secretary says Indonesia should not bar the international community and media from visiting Papua.

The Jakarta Post paper that Kjetil Skogrand says there might be reasons for concern about the situation in Papua.

However, he says long as the international press is not allowed to visit the area, it is difficult to assess the situation.

Mr Skogrand says he would like to see the possibility of the international community and international press visiting Papua to assess the situation.

However, he reiterated his country's position on Indonesia's territorial integrity.

He says Norway supports the territorial integrity of Indonesia and it does not support any forces of separation.

Indonesia has been accused of committing human rights violations in Papua by several international human rights groups and individuals.

Jakarta has repeatedly denied such accusations.