15 Sep 2005

Indonesia to ask US Congressmen for restraint over Papua issue

10:11 am on 15 September 2005

Indonesia is to put more pressure on US Congressmen over issues relating to Papua province.

The state news agency, Antara, reports that the MP Theo Sambuaga will ask the congressmen to stop promoting legislation which questions the legitimacy of Indonesia's takeover of Papua.

The Indonesian Embassy in Washington says Mr Sambuaga will ask the Congressmen about the US military embargo on Indonesia.

Mr Sambuaga will meet the US Senator Christopher Bond, and six congressmen, including American Samoa's Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin.

Faleomavaega was one of the US lawmakers behind the tabling a draft law which asked for a review of the 1969 Act of Free Choice in Papua.