Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The US has been informed that the Indonesian government has already taken measures deemed necessary to overcome the situation in Papua where four Indonesian security officers were killed in a violent anti-Freeport riot last week, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo Adi Sucipto said here Monday.
"It is our duty to make the situation in Papua returns to normal," Widodo said after accompanying President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in a meeting with visiting Singaporean President Nathan SR.
Widodo made the statement in connecion with a reaction from the United States to last Thursday`s anti-Freeport demonstration in Abepura, Papua which ended in a violent clash between security forces and the demonstrators.
Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., which runs the world`s biggest gold mine, located in natural resource-rich but underdeveloped Papua Province, suspended operations for three days last month after protesters blocked the main rod leading to the site.
The protests continued culminating in last Thursday`s demonstration in which the four security officers were beaten to death by Papua protesters who demanded the closuse of PT Freeport Indonesia.
Widodo, however, said there was no negative US reaction to the violent protests and the way the Indonesian government had handled the situation.
"Once again, we have taken the necessary measures and the situation in Papua has now returned to normal," he said.
Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono and Home Affairs Minister Mohammad Ma`ruf made statements in a similar vein.
Juwono said the government has been auditing Freeport`s environment, security, tax, and contribution to local people.
"All of these things are being reviewed," he said.
Home Minister Ma`ruf said it was the duty of the provincial administration to maintain security and order in the country`s easternmost province.
"The situation in Papua is now conducive again," he said. (*)
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