ABSTRACT
The ascendancy of Papuan nationalism fits neatly into the concept of "a nation without state:" The consciousness of being Papuan is a function of the self-realization that they are a distinct community in the Indonesian archipelago. Most Papuans remain skeptical of Jakarta, viewing such "sweeteners" as nothing more than short-term tactics to weaken Papuan nationalism so that Indonesia can continue its "internal colonialism" with minimal challenge. Papuan separatism, both military and political, has been intertwined with opposition to the territory's integration into Indonesia. The term Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM) is believed to have been given by the Indonesian government to the separatist groups, referring to the fighters operating in Papua or those engaged in separatist activities outside the country. The OPM struggle can be analyzed through a number of phases. Jim Elmslie has divided the struggle of the OPM into four main periods as follow: October 1962 to July 1971; 1971 to mid-1986; 1986 to 1995; and 1996 to mid-1999.
