Independence issue not discussed in meeting between US congressman

"The issue of giving the Papuan people the right of self determination was actually raised at the meeting but the US Congressman refused to comment on it," Governor Suebu said here on Wednesday.
Suebu said the US Congressman`s intention to visit Papua was to obtain first-hand information on the process of special autonomy in Indonesia`s easternmost province.
The governor added that during the meeting which proceeded in a friendly atmosphere, he had time to give a brief explanation to Eni Faleomavaega about the significant progress which has been attained by the Papua provincial administration in the implementation of the special autonomy law (Otsus).
He said through Otsus, the welfare of the Papuan people would be improved because to date those living in the province`s remote areas had remained destitute, although the funds received by the province from the central government were quite sizable.