West Papua appeals to Pacific Islands Forum

West Papua appeals to MSG and PIF

Six representatives speaking for the people of West Papua have appealed to the Melanesian Spearhead Group and South Pacific Islands Forum currently meeting in Port Vila to go public to say what their position is on the West Papua issue. Their appeal reads, “We the undersigned, members of the West Papuan Independence Movement currently in Port Vila, the Capital of the Republic of Vanuatu to lobby the MSG (Melanesian Spearhead Group) and the PIF (Pacific Islands Forum)( highly valued the decision taken by Vanuatu to take West Papuan Issue to the United Nations.

“Recalling the MSG’s support and PIF endorsement that resulted in the re-inscription of Kanaky with the UN Decolonization Committee and further recalling the regional wisdom and support that resulted in the peaceful resolution of the Bougainville conflict.

“Calling upon, Excellencies and Hon. Leaders of MSG and PIF to, to support Vanuatu’s initiative to take the West Papuan case to the United Nations.

“It is our belief that such undertaking will end four decades of violent suppression and remove the suffering of 2.5 million people of West Papua. Your support for the resolution of the West Papuan Issue will give a better legacy of wellbeing and survival of our future generations and provide security and stability in the region.

“West Papuan people would be forever indebted to you for your support”.

It was signed by the Vice Chairman, West Papuan National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL) Dr John Otto Ondawame, Secretary General, WPNCL Rex Rumakiek, Head of WPNCL Vanuatu Mission, Andy Ayamiseba, Foreign Affairs, WPNCL Dr Jacob Rumbiak, WPNA Vanuatu Representative Terrianus Bukorpioper and Chairman, International Youth Coalition for the Liberation of West Papua, Amatus Douw.

Speaking for the chiefs and people of Vanuatu, Chief David Richard Fundanumata said the silence over the West Papua issue at the two meetings could easily be misinterpreted as “deliberate” especially after both the Government and Opposition and the people throughout the country have been galvanised into a unanimous support for the case of the Melanesian brothers and sisters of West Papua to go again before the UN.

In fact even the Government has confirmed its commitment to push the case at the UN Decolonisation Committee with a request to revisit the document of 1969 which claimed the Melanesian people had agreed to be governed by Indonesia, a claim which all factions calling for the freedom of the people of West Papua have rejected as false.

Reliable sources not far from the West Papuan Independence Movement have claimed a delegation from Indonesia arrived in the country last Sunday. “The concern is that it may lobby the MSG and PIF against the West Papua cause”, Chief Fundanumata said. He said so far his attempts to have access to any discussion papers to check if the West Papua Issue might be discussed have been unsuccessful.

Neither the Ministry of Foreign Affairs nor the Department of Foreign Affairs could be reached to confirm if a delegation from Indonesia is in the country.

by: Len Garae

Source: West Papua Appeals to MSG and PIF