US congressman allowed to visit Indonesia`s Papua

Jakarta restricts access to Papua for journalists, diplomats and human rights organisations. The congressman was barred from visiting the area in July and held meetings with Indonesian officials and Papuan leaders in Jakarta instead.

After his visit in July, Faleomavaega said he was "relieved to see there has been a complete change in the commitment and priorities".

Indonesia has denied any systematic violations in Papua, although human rights groups have alleged that security services in the area have routinely abused their powers.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said he wants to end conflict and speed up development in Papua, which has rich mineral and natural resources.