President Yudhoyono working visit to West Papua
Almost all national newspapers in Indonesia made a long report on President Yudhoyono working visit to West Papua. In contrast none of Free West Papua propaganda did upload the report of President Yudhoyono visit to West Papua in their website. In order to be balance, Papua Story thinks it worth to be noted that there are so many positive developments in West Papua. Attention from Indonesian President to West Papua is one of many other facts that the central government of Indonesia cares about West Papuan people.
Here the stories from several sources:
President to visit West Papua
Nethy Dharma Somba , The Jakarta Post , Manokwari | Thu, 01/22/2009 1:49 PM | The Archipelago
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will officiate several projects in West Papua province during his visit Thursday to Mansinam Island in Doreh Bay, just off the coast from the provincial capital Manokwari.
On Wednesday, West Papua Secretary George C. Auparai told reporters the projects had been carried out over the past two-and-a-half years and were spread out across the 31st province.
Mansinam Island was selected for Thursday’s ceremony because Papuans from both West Papua and Papua provinces consider it a sacred island that spawned Papuan civilization.
That date is celebrated as Feb. 5, 1855, when German missionaries C.W. Ottow and J.G. Geissler landed on the island and began introducing the natives to Christianity.
That was the day Papuans first came into contact with the outside world, with many Papuans thus recognizing it as the dawn of their civilization.
“The island is highly sacred for Papuans because this is the place where Papuans began to have contact with the outside world and made it what it is now,” Auparai said.
“The president’s presence will also be historical, because of the six presidents who have led the country, he will be the first president to visit Mansinam.
“This is truly an extraordinary honor for Papuans.”
Before arriving in Manokwari on Thursday, Yudhoyono and his entourage spent a night in Sorong on Wednesday and toured areas affected by an earthquake that rocked the province on Jan. 4.
In addition to officiating the projects, Yudhoyono is also scheduled to hand over post-quake aid to West Papua Governor Abraham O. Atururi.
The aid includes Rp 3 billion (US$266,667) in funding, assistance for the rehabilitation of 2,009 severely damaged homes, 2,124 moderately damaged homes, and highway repairs in Manokwari and Sorong.
First Lady Kristiani Herawati will also hand over assistance to students.
In the evening, Yudhoyono will meet with local community leaders.
The presidential entourage will leave on Friday for Bali, staying there until Saturday.
Auparai said the visit also carried political weight to boost the province’s national profile.
“The President’s presence means there are no more problems with the province’s existence, both de jure and de facto,” he said.
West Papua’s creation in 1999 sparked strong protests by some Papuans who called it Jakarta’s way of dividing Papuans. The province was officially established in 2003.
Highlighted Projects
A 50-kilometer highway connecting the Fakfak regency seat with Kokas district
The 240-meter Anggruni Bridge in Manokwari regency
President Yudhoyono arrives in Sorong, West Papua
Sorong, West Papua (ANTARA News) – President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and his entourage arrived at Domine Eduard Osok airport here at 2:50 p.m. local time on Wednesday for a two-day working visit in West Papua.
The president was scheduled on Wednesday afternoon to inspect a joint post command set up by Disaster Management Coordination Unit (Satkorlak) for an emergency response following a powerful earthquake which jolted the district and the city of Sorong early this month.
The Satkorlak post command which is to be inspected by President Yudhoyono is located at Sorong mayor`s office.
On Sunday, January 4, a series of powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.6 on the Richter scale jolted the districts of Manokwari and Sorong in West Papua, leaving at least four residents injured and a number of buildings including two hotels and West Papua governor`s office damaged.
Its epicenter of the first quake was located at 0.58 degrees southern latitude and 132.85 degrees eastern longitude, at a depth of 48 km beneath seabed, and around 138 km west of Manokwasi, and that of the second one was located at 0.88 degrees southern latitude and 133.38 degrees eastern longitude, 76 km southwest of Manokwari, at a depth of 10 km below sea level.
Hundreds of West Papua`s residents living along the coastal areas, evacuated themselves to higher ground in fear of a tsunami, which did not occurred.
In his visit to Satkorlak post command, President Yudhoyono would be accompanied by West Papua Governor Abraham O Atururi, Sorong mayor JA Jumame, Sorong district head Dominggus Mandacan, and other local government officials.
On Wednesday night the president and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono would attend a meeting with local administration officials and public and religious figures.
The president will conclude his visit in West Papua on Friday and fly to Denpasar, Bali, for another visit until Saturday. (*)
Papua Story 
It is all about economic exploitation brothers, right?