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  • Vanuatu Says West Papua Let Down By MSG

    By Pasifik Staff -, July 15, 2016

    Pasifik.News, Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai says the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has failed the people of West Papua.

    Charlot SalwaiThe MSG last night deferred a decision on awarding full membership to the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) until a new meeting can be held in September.

    The delay is meant to allow the MSG Secretariat to further develop its membership criteria.

    “Vanuatu gravely regrets the deferral of the admission of ULMWP on the matter of criteria, a clear sign that officials and the secretariat fell short in carrying out their duties consistent with the fundamental founding principles of this eminent organisation for Melanesians,” said Prime Minister Salwai.

    Vanuatu led the push to have the ULMWP’s status upgraded, despite stiff opposition from Indonesia which said such a move would undermine its national sovereignty.

    “Vanuatu has always believed that other Melanesians are ready to be admitted into the MSG family,” says Mr Salwai. “Vanuatu is adamant that being Melanesians, they should not be subject to any form of criteria.”

    The Prime Minister has offered to host Melanesian leaders in September to ensure the issue is finally tackled.

    Reports of crackdown

    Meantime, there have been widespread reports of West Papuans being arrested by Indonesian security forces as they gathered in anticipation of the MSG decision.

    ULMWP Secretary General, Octovianus Mote, says 348 people were arrested for simply preparing to celebrate the outcome.

    “Most of these West Papuans are youth and they just want to express their freedom and right to association…but many were arrested,” he says.

    He said most arrests took place in Timika, Jayapura, Merauke, Nabire, and Yahukimo.

  • FLNKS supports West Papua

    Posted: Thursday, July 14, 2016 8:00 am, Compiled by Godwin Ligo

    The Spokesperson of the Front de Libération Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) in Kanaky, Victor Tutugoro, yesterday morning re-affirmed his strong support for West Papua to become full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) during the Honiara MSG Leaders’ Summit.

    The FLNKS Spokesperson stated this when meeting the Chairman of Vanuatu Free West Papua Association, Pastor Alan Nafuki.

    Nafuki assured the FLNKS of Vanuatu’s stand by the churches, the chiefs and the population for the political freedom of the Melanesian people of West Papua and said the Association has already sent its three representatives to Honiara to observe the MSG Leaders Summit.

    Mr Tutugoro went in the same flight of Air Niugini yesterday morning with Vanuatu Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai, to attend the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Leaders’ Summit in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

    The Kanaky leader arrived in Port Vila last Sunday night from Noumea.

    On Monday he met the Vanuatu Prime Minister and on Tuesday paid courtesy calls on State Ministers including Agriculture.

    Mr. Tutugoro also took the opportunity to visit the Lycee Louis Antoine de Bouganville and Vanuatu Institute of Technology.

    Both Vanuatu learning institutions receive funding assistance from the Northern Province of New Caledonia following Tropical Cyclone Pam in 2015.

    On Tuesday evening a special kava ceremony was organized, a gesture of appreciation to the FLNKS Spokesperson Victor Tutugoro, by the Vanuatu Institute of Technology.

    The FLNKS did not sign the Communique following the visit of MSG Leaders in West Papua and Indonesia after the Summit that was held in Kanaky.

    ligo@dailypost.vu

  • Melanesian Leaders Defer West Papua Decision

    By Adam Boland – pasifik.news

    Melanesian leaders have deferred making a decision about elevating the diplomatic status of the West Papua independence movement until September.

    Vanuatu pushed hard for the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) to be given full membership of regional economic body, the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

    Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai told the MSG summit in Honiara that Melanesia should stand as one.

    But that was always going to be a challenge with Fiji and Papua New Guinea worried about the impact on the sovereignty of Indonesia. The West Papua region is part of Indonesian territory.

    “Simply put, the ULMWP is no more than a separatist group that has no place in the MSG’s future,” says Indonesia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Desra Percaya.

    With Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama leaving the summit early and PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill missing it completely to focus on political troubles at home, it became clear a breakthrough would not be reached.

    Senior Indonesian diplomat Sade Bimantara took to Twitter to declare the issue dead.

    But Victor Yeimo from the West Papua National Committee says the deferral will simply give leaders more time to consider the criteria for membership.

    “Our application was postponed to the next special summit before September. That will be done in Vanuatu,” he said. “The reasons for delays are due to the definition of ‘new members’, that has not formulated properly to ensure ULMWP’s application will be accepted.”

    Mr Yeimo thanked Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands for their vocal support and hopes it will create new momentum leading up to September.

  • West Papua hopeful for full membership

    solomonstarnews.com, Published: 13 July 2016

    Indonesian province of West Papua is hopeful to see their full membership plea in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), advance during this 4th Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) summit hosted in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

    Speaking to the media yesterday spokesperson for the United Liberation Movement for West Paupua (ULMWP) Benny Wenda said they are optimistic to see the struggle of their people advance to the next level, within the MSG.

    He said their ongoing campaign and struggle for support from the Melanesian countries and the pacific will help them advance their membership status in the MSG, which is fundamental to their wish to become an independent state.

    ULMWP acquired their observer status in MSG last year during the MSG meeting held in Honiara, thus they are hopeful to see their status in this sub-regional organisation advanced to full membership.

    Wenda stressed their struggle is not for them but for the future generation of West Papua, who will be free from brutality and bloodshed continued to be suffered on the hands of the Indonesian military.

    By AATAI JOHN

  • Open up of MSG membership will be discussed in Honiara

    SolomonStarNews.com, Published: 13 July 2016

    The Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare has told a visiting United Liberation Movement of West Papua delegation that opening up membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group is an idea to be discussed in Honiara at the MSG Leaders’ Summit beginning July 14.

    Mr Sogavare made the comment after the General Secretary of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua, Octovinius Mote, wanted to know if new applications for membership of the MSG would be discussed by the Summit.

    He instructed officials of the MSG Secretariat to put together the pre-requisites such as rules and guidelines, applicants must understand when applying for membership of the Melanesian Block of which he is Chair.

    He added the MSG leaders will have the opportunity to meet Mr Mote and his delegates in Honiara, adding further that Fiji’s support of West Papuans’ struggle for self-rule speaks a lot.

    And he said the support for self-rule for the ULMWP by the five MSG members, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia is from the heart.

    Meanwhile, the idea of an open up MSG membership could mean International and Regional groups and States that are outside the MSG Block could apply for Full and Associate membership while others could apply for Observer Status if the MSG Leaders’ Summit sanctions it.

    United Liberation Movement of West Papua which now holds the Observer status with the MSG is applying for full membership while its ruler, Indonesia, is an Associate member.

    By George Atkin,
    OPMC Press Secretariat

  • Indonesia Warns MSG Leaders About Threat To Unity

    By Adam Boland – July 11, 2016 – Pasifik.News

    Indonesia has warned Melanesian leaders they risk undermining trade and unity if they get “hijacked” by the “negative propaganda” of the West Papua independence movement.

    Leaders will gather in Honiara this week to consider giving the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
    Solomon Islands Prime Minister
    PM Manasseh Sogavare

    The move is being strongly backed by Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare who believes it would force Indonesia to talk more openly about the region’s future.

    “Indonesia leaves the MSG no alternatives on bringing the West Papuan issues on the table for discussion, except to elevate the status of West Papua from observer status to full membership, so that the MSG leaders can be able to discuss the West Papuan issues more strategically,” he said in May.

    That position is supported by renowned West Papuan religious leader Benny Giay.

    “Papuans don’t trust Indonesians and Indonesians don’t trust Papuans. That’s why we need a third party to moderate,” he told Pasifik News.

    But Indonesia says elevating the ULMWP would threaten regional stability.
    Sade Bimantara
    Sade Bimantara

    “The ULMWP’s continuing disruptive and destructive practices in the MSG process are dangerous for its unity and integrity,” says Sade Bimantara from Indonesia’s Embassy in Canberra.

    In a strongly worded opinion piece, Mr Bimantara insisted the ULMWP doesn’t represent people who actually live in the region.

    “It was created to represent the voices of overseas Papuans, who may still have Indonesian citizenship and many who have renounced their citizenship. The Movement does not represent the almost four million residents of Papua and West Papua provinces of Indonesia,” he wrote.

    He says Melanesian leaders need to be careful about supporting a group that has a “lone agenda of taking territories away from a sovereign country”.

    That message is likely to resonate with Fiji and Papua New Guinea, which have growing ties with Indonesia.

    “We respect the integrity and sovereignty of Indonesia under international laws,” said Fiji’s Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.

  • MSG gets West Papua and Indonesia to talk

    SolomonStarnews.com, Published: 18 June 2016

    A SENIOR delegation of Indonesian officials and delegates of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua met Thursday in a move instigated by the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

    The two sides had been at loggerhead over West Papua’s struggle to have a separate state.

    MSG Foreign Ministers meeting chairman and Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs minister, George Milner Tozaka said it was important to get both sides to sit at the same table and talk.

    He said the objective of MSG is to look at the developmental interests of Melanesian countries and this included West Papua.

    “We are constructively trying to engage both Indonesia and West Papua to talk and say what they want to say to each other in the meeting, but the main thing is to get them to sit at the same table and talk,”

    Mr Tozaka said.

    He said one of the major issues was the membership of MSG and the inclusion of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) as observers, while Indonesia was accorded associate membership.

    “The last meeting we had in Honiara we had been to work on the criteria for the membership of Indonesia and West Papua so that they can participate in the MSG.”

    Mr Tozaka said Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) had a look through this issue and concluded that there was still a lot more work to be done.

    “SOM have asked for more time for them to look into this issue.”

    They would then submit their report to the Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting, before it was taken up to the Leaders Summit in Honiara on July 14.

    The MSG is made up of three levels, the highest of which was the Leaders Summit, then the Foreign Affairs Ministers meeting and the Senior Officials Meeting.

    The application for membership from West Papua and Indonesia in the Melanesian Spearhead Group has been referred to the legal committee.

    Fiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola said Fiji would raise its voice with Indonesia over the matter.

    Ratu Inoke said Fiji had a good relationship with Indonesia.

    “We respect the integrity and sovereignty of Indonesia under international laws.”

    Meanwhile, Ratu Inoke said Fiji still maintained its position that its participation in the Pacific Islands Forum would still remain at ministerial level.

    “Our Prime Minister (Voreqe Bainimarama) still feels very strongly on that position.”

    Fiji wants Australia and New Zealand to withdraw as members of PIF.

  • Papuans concerned at Indonesian overtures to MSG

    3:29 pm on 8 April 2016

    The United Liberation Movement for West Papua has questioned Indonesia’s increased diplomatic overtures to Melanesian countries.

    TRANSCRIPT RADIO ANZ

    The United Liberation Movement for West Papua says that while Indonesia increases diplomatic links to Melanesian countries, its security forces continue to brutalise Papuans.

    The Liberation Movement was last year granted observer status in the Melanesian Spearhead Group, while Indonesia was given associate member status.

    However Indonesia’s Political and Security Affairs minister Luhut Pandjaitan visited Papua New Guinea and Fiji last week to lobby for greater participation by Jakarta.

    Minister Luhut indicated that Jakarta was aiming to “aggressively explain” to Pacific states about the conditions in Indonesia what it has been doing in the area of human rights.

    However, Indonesia’s National Human Rights Commission last month stated that in the past year more than 700 West Papuans had been persecuted through being arrested, beaten, and tortured by security forces.

    The Liberation Movement’s Benny Wenda spoke to Johnny Blades, who asked him about Indonesia’s outreach and assistance packages to PNG and Fiji.

    BENNY WENDA: The bilateral agreements like trade, yes that’s up to the Papua New Guineans and Fijians but from my point of view, this is like a bridge, like Indonesia is using this as a good bridge to convince the Papua New Guineans and Fijians. But one of the things that I always argue [is] why now? Why now, but before never? When we become a member of the MSG, observer status, and they’re trying to use that issue to engage more with Melanesians and Pacific countries while they’re killing our people and they’re more campaigning for their investments, business and things and they’re trying to trade. But all the while killing Melanesian people and that is undermining what Indonesia does to pretend they’re good guys. But I’m not criticise what Indonesia has contributed to the Fijians for the cyclone [Winston]. But on the other hand, using this issue… trying to pressurise, look, we’re giving you money but don’t talk about West Papua. We don’t know, that’s under the carpet, but that’s my view. The West Papua issue is a Melanesian issue, it’s nothing to do with Indonesia. And the fact that Minister Luhut [once said] that we don’t need you, you go where you come from, that is what he already stated. And this dates back to 1960s, one of the generals called Ali Murtopo, said Papuans, we don’t need you, if you need island go to the Pacific or go to the moon or go to America. It’s repeated again. And so that’s why my argument is that Indonesia is not really interested in the people of Melanesia’s suffering under their colony. So they just need our resources. So in fact all the resources they are using to kill us and trying to be good guys. So that’s not make us a setback but give us confidence, more to convince our brothers and sisters in Melanesia that West Papua issue is a Melanesia issue and a Pacific issue, and we are the Pacific family.

    JOHNNY BLADES: It seems in the Indonesian media that minister Luhut is claiming PNG and Fiji are going to support their bid to become full members of the MSG, do you know?

    BW: I’m not sure at the moment, because that is just trying to claim, trying to convince the PNG and Fiji governments. But I’m sure that ordinary people in PNG and Fiji are really supportive, one hundred percent, of west Papuan full membership and that’s from before, until today. That’s why I’m really confident that West Papua issue is still there. But I don’t know about Minister Luhut’s claim. But that depends on whether PNG and Fiji want to support that or not, that’s up to the two governments. But MSG stands for the Melanesian peoples, it’s nothing to do with Indonesia. And MSG on principle, Indonesia has no right to stand in the way of what decision must be made by Melanesians for Melanesian people.

    JB: This claim that the people in Jakarta keep making, about having 11 million Melanesians within the republic, including Maluku, North Maluku and East Nusa Tenggara, do you believe that people in those provinces – even if they have Melanesian stock – do they identify as being Melanesians?

    BW: Look, this makes me laugh. They have never campaigned for… they never think about their identity as Melanesia. They more look the Indonesia. They feel they are  Indonesia, so I have never seen those islands, those two or three provinces that you mention campaign for membership in the Melanesian family. No, they are more Indonesian, they claim, nothing to do with the Melanesians. They are more happy with Indonesia rather than Melanesia. So when we become part of the MSG, then Indonesia [started thinking] okay let’s use some of the outer islands. They may have Melanesians but they never campaigned for membership because they never feel they are Melanesian. That’s from beginning until today.

  • Indonesia is Associate Member, West Papua Observer in MSG

    Vanuatu Daily Post – By Godwin Ligo Jun 27, 2015

    The Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has accepted the United Liberal Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) as Observer in the regional organisation on the basis that it represents West Papuans living outside West Papua.

    According to international media, that was the announcement made yesterday by the MSG Chair, Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare.

    The MSG Chair also announced that Associate Membership was accorded to Indonesia who is representing “the five Melanesian provinces in Indonesia”.

    That was the decision of the leaders of the Melanesian Spearhead Group at the MSG Summit in Solomon Islands that ended yesterday.

    Indonesia will be represented in MSG by the governors of the five provinces in West Papua.

    The ULMWP application for full membership in MSG was held back.

    While Vanuatu was the beacon of hope for West Papua in the world in the past, at this stage the people of Vanuatu do not know how Vanuatu voted at the MSG in the bid for ULMWP’s application for full membership.

    But in a statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday, it stated that the United Liberation Movement for West Papua representatives have expressed appreciation to Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders in an address to the MSG Plenary on Friday.

    The Vanuatu Prime Minister, Sato Kilman, who did not attend the MSG meeting following the political situation in the country stated: “The 20th Summit ended on Friday 26th with a Plenary which also saw addresses from newly admitted Associate members Indonesia, and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua as Observers.

    “In a much-anticipated communiqué which was signed by Leaders on Thursday evening at the Mendana Hotel in Honiara, among other important decisions, Leaders approved that ULMWP be admitted as an Observer to the MSG under the regional and international organizations category and representing Melanesians living abroad.

    “In addition, leaders also approved that Associate membership be accorded to Indonesia who will also be representing the five Melanesian Provinces in Indonesia.

    “These two decisions were arguably quite historical as well as progressive in their own right, rendering the MSG as a platform for greater dialogue between the Government of Indonesia and the ULMWP.

    “In his address to the plenary on Friday morning, representative of the ULMWP expressed their appreciation to leaders for endorsing their bid for membership and for their unification under the ULMWP umbrella which was made possible under the auspices of the Government, the Chiefs, Church Leaders and people of Vanuatu.

    “It is important to note that the Vanuatu Government’s strong stance, support and advocacy for self-determination for all indigenous peoples and the universal principles of human rights which all MSG members subscribe to have been instrumental in the inclusion of La Couse Kanak and now West Papua in the agenda of the MSG, and for the inclusion of the FLNKS representing the Kanak people of New Caledonia, and now ULMWP the people of West Papua.

    “To that end, the Vanuatu Government wishes to congratulate both the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) and the Government of Indonesia for choosing the MSG as a conduit or platform whereupon they may dialogue and in reconciling any differences.

    “The spirit of the MSG and the Melanesian way encourages closer dialogue cooperation and the spirit of comradeship and collegiality and in a reconciliatory manner than confrontational.

    “Leaders of the MSG, including Vanuatu, therefore encourage the ULMWP and the Government of Indonesia to make the most the space and opportunity rendered by their inclusion in the MSG for dialogue and in a reconciliatory and progressive manner.

    “This is a position which the Government of the day will rally behind and support to be more pragmatic and progressive, as opposed to a confrontational approach.

    “The 20th MSG Leaders’ Summit also saw the signing of a myriad of documents and declarations which included, the Agreement Establishing the MSG (Revised 2015), the Declaration on the MSG 2038 Property for All Plan and implementation Framework. Agreement Establishing the Regional Police Academy (RPA), Legislative Framework Agreement of the Formed Police Unit (FPU), Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Humanitarian and Emergency Response Cooperation Center (HERCC), Melanesian Declaration on the Transshipment of Nuclear Waste and Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Waste (previously the 1995 Lakatoro Declaration on Denuclearization on the Pacific), Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Technical Cooperation in Coastal and Aquaculture Development between members of the MSG, and the MSG Roadmap for inshore Fisheries Management and Sustainable Development.

    “The leaders also considered and endorsed a paper on Recovery Support for Vanuatu in the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Pam which would comprise pledges of support in areas identified in the recently concluded National Recovery Plan, and on a bilateral basis ,” the statement ended and signed by the Vanuatu Prime Minister Sato Kilman.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Vanuatu Christian Council, Bishop James Ligo, told the Daily Post that the VCC accepts the decision by the MSG leaders in granting West Papua an Observer status in the MSG as a first step.

    At the same time he questions the granting of Associate Member to Indonesia.

    However, the VCC Chairman said, the VCC will continue to put pressure on the MSG for eventual full membership of West Papua under ULMWP into the MSG.

    ligo@dailypost.vu

  • PM not attending but appoints special envoy to MSG

    Vanuatu Daily Post – By Godwin Ligo Jun 26, 2015

    Vanuatu’s position on West Papua application and other important regional issues will be known at the end of the MSG Summit, according to reliable sources within the Government.

    Reliable sources within the Government have confirmed that the Government has appointed a Special Prime Minister’s Envoy to the MSG Meeting in Honiara.

    He is the Prime Minister’s Office, Director General (DG), Johnson Naviti, but the Daily Post also understands that the DG Naviti will travel to Honiara to convey the Vanuatu Government’s decisions to the meeting.

    The Government’s stand on the issue of West Papua application for full MSG membership and other important regional issues will be made known only at the end of the MSG heads of government summit, which ends tomorrow with plenary and closing ceremony.

    The outcome of the West Papua application for MSG full membership is expected to be made known publicly from Honiara, Solomon Islands, later today, Vanuatu time.

    The decision by the MSG leaders will be made during the MSG Heads of Governments during their Retreat today, according to reliable government source in Port Vila.

    It is expected to be made known through a Communiqué to be issued by the MSG officials in Honiara late today.

    The Daily Post understands that Vanuatu Prime Minister nor other ministers could be present at the MSG 20th Summit, 2015, because of the current political situation in the country involving court cases; first the Constitutional Case involving Speaker’s decision to close the First Ordinary Session of Parliament when the Opposition sponsored motion against Prime Minister Sato Kilman, was not debated and the bribery case that has been moved by Court for hearing next month.

    The West Papua application for full membership into the MSG has been one of the main issues of concern by the churches, the chiefs and other civil societies in Vanuatu and around the Pacific region and beyond prior to and over the period of the MSG 20th Summit 2015 in Honiara this week.

    The Vanuatu Christian Council have aired their stand on the issue for and on behalf of all churches and Christian ministries in the country earlier this week while the Malvatumauri Council of Chiefs made a final call on the Vanuatu Government to vote for West Papua full membership in a statement published in the Daily Post yesterday.

    Shortly, the outcome will be made known and it will most likely show what Vanuatu’s stand is on the West Papua Application for full membership into the MSG.

    Since its election, the new government has not officially cleared its position on the United Liberal Movement of West Papua’s application to be a full member of the MSG.

    ligo@dailypost.vu

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