`  ::'Always glad to see the US government get the criticism it sorely deserves.  The rationale, however, for giving prominence to US views, is that they carry so much bloody weight.  When the US state speaks, other countries (have to) listen.  This is particularly true for Indonesia which, since 1965, has been a veritable satellite of the USA.  We could even debate to what extent Indonesia is an ``independent`` country, given the US military, financial, and diplomatic supports/controls.  More to the point, one reason that Western New Guinea remains a part of Indonesia is because the US state wants it that way.  If a Chavez-style socialist was elected in Indonesia who wanted to nationalize Irian's resources, you can bet that the US might be more sympathetic to the independence movement.  So long as Indonesia allows Freeport McMoRan and others to exploit the resources, Western New Guinea is entrusted to Indonesia.    `