Death of Kelly Kwalik... and other things

[Pete]

David has posted a brief comment on his news page following the killing of West Papuan independence leader Kelly Kwalik (he has kindly posted a download of his MFtCC song Kelly Kwalik Country also). See http://davidbridie.com/wordpress/?p=53... another sad chapter in Indonesia's violent and deplorable history in West Papua.

Has anyone else been watching The Circuit and enjoying, as I have, the vastly improved production values in Series 2 and fantastic soundtrack? Well done David, the music is really knockout in this series. (Episode 4 this Tuesday on SBS).

Certainly regret missing MFtCC at the Thornbury Theatre - a great venue too (where I managed to catch Lloyd Cole a few weeks ago in a really brilliant solo show). I hear the crowd for the Cake was huge at this show - swinging from the rafters as it were, and the setlist looked terrific with a few surprises thrown in.

I imagine David will be filling his usual Christmas Day slot on the air on 3RRR (Melbourne) on Christmas Day - I'll be tuning in from midday to 4 just in case

Happy Christmas (or sundry seasonal celebration) to all,

Pete

[maartenj]

Hey Pete!

First off a happy Christmas to you and all other forumites here! And also, early, a happy birthday for you tomorrow!

Kelly Kwalik's death is just another example of Indonesian thuggery...and yet again, the silence is deafening. IN an age where we should know better we let whole nations and populations being bullied and tortured and let economics strangle a solution for a polluted planet. It becomes clear that this century is dominated by the slack and self-centered. It makes me sick sometimes.

In response to your other queries, unfortunately in these busy retail times I'm not watching much television so I'm missing quality programming...just finished watching Liverpool slump to another disheartening defeat and I feel like throwing my TV through the window.

Haven't gone to too many shows as I've tightened up my spending budget considerably- I got refused a mortgage a few months back when my place went up for sale and I wanted to buy it...now the place is sold, I can stay inside of it but I'm sick and tired of real estate agents, open houses and constant phone calls for access so I want to start over somewhere else, buy a new place and stick to it (come think of it, a new career wouldn't be so bad either). I'm saving up as much as I can to afford a mortgage early next year and, if successful I'll move. Forecast looks good but I got to stick to the savings plan.
Went to see The Church twice last week, both times they were brilliant. Wished I could see The Cake too but can't afford jetting sown to Melbourne each time they play....am going to see Porcupine Tree in Feb and if finances allow I'll head down to WOMADelaide next year too...I really missed it last year!

All the best wishes for the next year!

[saintrik]

On the subject of Kelly Kwalik, David wrote:

Amungme freedom fighter, Kelly Kwalik, who lived near the Freeport Mine in West Papua was assassinated this week of December 16th by the Indonesian military.

Kelly Kwalik was well known for two inherent issues. As land owner, he opposed the Freeport Mine because of the human rights abuses it had caused his people and the irreparable environmental destruction it had created to the land. Also, as a Commander of the Independence Movement, the OPM, he advocated independence. He joined the OPM in 1974 after finishing teacher college in Jayapura. He had been in the jungle for 37 years eluding many efforts to capture him.

Journalists are not allowed into West Papua. So the true story of what actually happened in the build-up to his murder will once again be elusive. West Papua is our closest neighbour. Kwalik was falsely accused of being involved in the killing of Australian mine worker Drew Grant.You’d think our media might be all over this story. I may have missed something but I havent read a thing.

When I went hiking around the gloriously beautiful Baliem valley in the highlands of West Papua,I stayed in this village and the only English my guests could say was “this is Kelly kwalik country.”

The military report says they shot him in the leg and he died of compications in hospital. Unfortunately, I have this awful feeling that the truth was much more brutal than that. Australia and the USA receive big dividends from the Freeport mine. When are we going to honourably stand up for these Melanesian people?

I’d like to share with you in honour of Kelly Kwalik a song from the “Curious” album by My Friend the Chocolate Cake entitled “Kelly Kwalik Country”.