Beware!

Papua New Guineans had to realise that Indonesia posed a threat. They had to beware of Indonesian “imperialism”. These warnings were made by Mr Bernard Narakobi, chairman of the PNG Law Reform Com mission. However, he made his statement as a private citizen.

Mr Narakobi said pro- Indonesian forces caught during the fighting on Timor had let ters from generals telling them to watch closely seccessionist movements in PNG. The letters told' the forces that they could be “called upon”.

Indonesia had justified its in vasion of Timor by saying that instability on the island would not be good for the region. If that logic followed to its con clusion then instability in PNG would justify Indonesian inter ventibn. Most of the people of East Timor werg Melanesian and belonged to the Pacific. If they could not be safe, how could Papua New Guinea be safe?