Source: 
The National, Thursday June 5th, 2014
 TWO Indonesian soldiers were injured during the re-opening of the border between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia at Wutung on Tuesday.
The border was re-opened at around 11.30am, according to a source at Wutung. At 3pm, members of the Organisai Papua Merdeka (OPM) launched a surprise attack, firing guns and injuring the two Indonesian soldiers.
Col Dominic Bulungol who is in charge of the PNG Defence Force operations told The National that they were not even aware of the reopening of the border.
“We do not know who made the decision for the reopening,” he said.
“It (should) be closed for the security of our people living along the border.”
He said the re-opening was unnecessary even though people relied on the Batas market on the other side of the border to conduct their business.
“We have shops in Vanimo and Wewak, East Sepik which is closer for our people. The shooting at
the border between OPM and Indonesia is not just about the closure,” he said.
Bulungol said the OPM militants were not targeting PNG soldiers although they could be caught in a cross-fire because of their location.
“The closure will also depend on all our border security arrangements, whether there is an effective security arrangement in place,” he said.
PNG Customs Border Security and Enforcement Wing Deputy Commissioner Waliya Abilo said Customs was not in control of the Batas market nor could it make decisions.
“If the Government wants us to assess a situation, then we will. We only get advice from the Government,” Abilo said.
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5) Halt in joint exercises highlights damaged relations between Australia and Indonesia
  • JUNE 03, 2014 5:06PM

PM Tony Abbott, on his first overseas visit as Prime Minister, delivers his part of the joint media statement as Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono listens at Istana Merdeka (Merdeka Palace) in Jakarta today. Source: HeraldSun
AUSTRALIA’S top soldier today revealed seven joint exercises have been halted by Indonesia since September last year, showing just how bad diplomatic relations between the two countries are.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott will address the military snubs in a visit to our biggest neighbour tomorrow, where he hopes to repair the relationship between the two countries.
Relations soured last year following revelations Australia spied on the wife of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and disagreements over policy to send asylum seeker boats back to Indonesia.
Chief of Defence General David Hurley said two of the seven military exercises scrapped were already underway as tensions between the nations increased. They were an exchange of junior officers, and a counter-hijacking and hostage recovery exercise.
General Hurley said it would require a political decision by the leaders of the two countries before it was “business as usual”.

A banner promoting the nations participating in forthcoming multilateral military exercise in Indonesia. Note Australia is not among them due to suspended cooperation. Source: Supplied
Mr Abbott will tomorrow fly to Batam Island for a brief visit and talks with President Yudhoyono before proceeding with a two-week visit to Europe and North America.
“I’m expecting a good meeting, a warm meeting,” Mr Abbott told ABC radio today.
“He’s been a great friend to Australia; he’s been a fine president of Indonesia and I’m very much looking forward to ensuring that the relationship is on a very sound footing before he leaves office later in the year.”
The repair job could be difficult. Indonesia this week returned its ambassador to Australia after he was withdrawn in November as a protest against past spying operations. But if the diplomatic connections have been normalised the key indicator of good relations will be the return of healthy ties with the powerful Indonesian military.
General Hurley tabled the list at a Senate Estimates committee after yesterday indicating relations between the two military forces were not completely settled.
Two operations scheduled for late last year and one for early this year also were cancelled. Two others planned for early this year and for mid-year have been postponed.
The halted training programs included parachuting exercises in Australia, a major fleet exercise, and detection and disposal of explosives.
Indonesia and Australia have a long history of working together. Source: News Corp Australia