Untuk Masuk Menjadi Anggota Penuh di MSG

JAYAPURA –Jubi –  Dosen Hubungan Internasional FISIP Uncen Jayapura Marinus Yaung menyatakan, United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) mempunyai peluang besar, untuk diterima menjadi anggota tetap (full member) Melanesian Spreadhead Group (MSG).

Demikian ditegaskan Marinus kepada Bintang Papua di Jayapura, Kamis (14/7).

Hal itu, kata Marinus, karena MSG mengundang secara resmi ULMWP untuk hadir pada Konferensi Tingkat Tinggi (KTT) MSG pada tanggal 14-16 Juli 2016 di Honiara, ibukota Kepulauan Salomon.

“Itu kan sebuah bentuk pengakuan resmi kepada ULMWP, untuk didengar proposal ULMWP untuk menjadi anggota penuh MSG,” katanya.

Selain itu, juga terkait adanya sejumlah kasus yang terjadi di Papua, antara lain kasus pelanggaran HAM yang luar biasa dan ruang demokrasi masih ditutup rapat oleh militer Indonesia.

Berikutnya yang menjadi peluang tersebut, Tim Pencari Fakta dari Pasific Independen Forum (PIF) masuk ke Papua untuk mencari data-data pelanggaran HAM. Tapi hingga kini pemerintah Indonesia belum mengizinkan.

Juga adanya kesadaran spirit Melanesian Brotherhood atau semangat Persaudaraan Melanesia.

Ini merupakan cikal-bakal berdirinya MSG pada tahun 1929 di Honiara, Salomon Island. Melanesian Brotherhood didirikan tiga negara, yakni Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea (PNG).

MSG Perdana Menteri Salomon Island Manaseh Sogavaereh sempat mengundang Presiden RI Joko Widodo, untuk membahas masalah Papua, juga menjadi satu dasar pertimbangannya, karena pemerintah Indonesia mengabaikan undangan tersebut.

Dikatakan, MSG didukung negara-negara kuat seperti USA, Inggeris, Australia. Kini China mulai masuk dengan menawarkan investasi di bidang ekonomi dan perdagangan yang cukup besar, terutama di PNG, Fiji, Salomon Island dan Vanuatu. Negara-negara ini sebenarnya paling menentukan keanggotaan MSG.

Menurutnya, USA dan Inggris merasa penting mendukung ULMWP ke MSG, supaya kedua negara ini bisa menjaga kepentingan Freeport di Mimika dan Inggeris di British Petroleum di Teluk Bintuni.

Dia menjelaskan, ULMWP bisa menjadi observer dan kini diberi ruang yang besar di MSG untuk mengajukan proposal ulang sekaligus meningkatkan status ULMWP, karena ada dukungan Inggeris dibelakang, karena penasehat utama MSG adalah Inggeris. Bahkan negara-negara MSG adalah bagian dari negara-negara persemakmuran dibawah pemerintahan Ratu Inggeris.

“Jadi saya punya keyakinan penuh USA dan Inggeris berada dibalik pengajuan ULMWP sebagai anggota penuh MSG,” katanya.

Dikatakan, hal ini bukan berarti pemerintah Indonesia kalah diplomasi. Walaupun pemerintah Indonesia sudah kalah diplomasi di Pasific.

“Kita sudah kalah jauh isu -isu Papua di MSG semakin kuat dan semakin mendapat dukungan dari rakyat Melanesia di negara-negara Pasific Selatan, agar ULMWP menjadi anggota tetap MSG,” lanjutnya.

Namun demikian, kata dia, Indonesia bisa melakukan untuk menghentikan ULMWP menjadi anggota MSG adalah mengirim delegasi yang betul-betul bisa melakukan lobby dan diplomasi dalam KTT MSG.

“Pilihlah delegasi yang berakar dan punya massa kuat di Papua itu baru bisa mempengaruhi keputusan negara-negara MSG,” tukasnya.

Disamping diplomasi di luar negeri, tambahnya, pemerintah Indonesia perlu serius menutaskan dan menyelesaikan seluruh kasus-kasus dugaan pelanggaran HAM.

Dia menuturkan, jika pemerintah tak serius menangani dan menuntaskan kasus-kasus dugaan pelanggaran HAM di Papua, maka peluang ULMWP menjadi anggota tetap MSG makin kuat dan bola liar akan menuju kepada keputusan-keputusan politik yang jauh lebih besar dan bisa jadi menuju ke referendum, jika isu pelanggaran HAM Papua terus-menerus dibiarkan dan tak diselesaikan dengan tuntas.

Dijelaskan, Presiden Joko Widodo melalui Menteri Koordinator Politik, Hukum dan Keamanan Luhut B. Pandjaitan telah membentuk Tim Terpadu Penanganan Dugaan Pelanggaran di Papua dan Papua Barat mari seriusi itu kerja dengan serius minimal tiga kasus dugaan pelanggaran HAM di Papua dan Papua Barat dibawa ke Pengadilan HAM tak boleh diluar Pengadilan HAM jangan sampai kasus Wasior, Wamena dan Paniai diselesaikan diluar Pengadilan itu justru akan membuat Papua terus membara.

“Dan isu Papua merdeka akan semakin menyala dan berkobar-kobar,” terangnya. (mdc/aj)

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.

Uskup agung kecam penangkapan ratusan warga Papua

 ucanews.com, 15/07/2016

Uskup agung kecam penangkapan ratusan warga Papua thumbnail
Sekitar 260 warga Papua ditahan di Merauke, namun mereka telah dibebaskan.

Para pejabat Gereja Katolik di wilayah Papua telah meminta lembaga penegak hukum memungkinkan orang Papua lebih banyak kebebasan untuk mengekspresikan diri, dan tidak melihat setiap aksi damai sebagai tindakan provokasi.

Uskup Agung Merauke Mgr Nicholaus Adi Saputra MSC mengatakan demonstrasi tersebut adalah pilihan terakhir ketika saluran untuk ekspresi individu tertahan.

“Negara menjamin demokrasi bagi semua warga negara,” kata Uskup Agung Saputra, 14 Juli, setelah ratusan orang ditangkap selama protes damai di banyak kota di seluruh Papua hari itu.

“Jika ruang tidak diberikan kepada mereka, mereka akan turun ke jalan,” kata prelatus itu.

Aksi damai pada 13 Juli menyuarakan dukungan untuk penggabungan Papua ke dalam Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) yang sedang mengadakan KTT di Kepulauan Solomon, 14-16 Juli.

MSG meliputi Kepulauan Solomon, Fiji, Papua Nugini dan Vanuatu bertujuan meningkatkan pertumbuhan ekonomi di antara para anggotanya. Indonesia merupakan anggota asosiasi.

Papua menginginkan status yang sama dalam pengelompokan sebagai New Caledonian Kanak dan Sosialis National Liberation Front, aliansi faksi-faksi yang menginginkan kemerdekaan dari Perancis.

Lebih dari 500 orang ditangkap, termasuk perempuan dan anak-anak pada unjuk rasa damai, 23 Juli.

Sebagian besar warga kemudian dibebaskan, tetapi sejumlah orang masih ditahan hingga 16 Juli untuk diinterogasi lebih lanjut.

0715gPolisi bersenjata menjaga ruang di mana para demonstran ditangkap dan ditahan di Merauke, Papua.

Yoseph Novaris Apay, sekjen Komite Nasional Papua Barat (KNPB) di Merauke, mengatakan aksi itu bertujuan memberitahu DPR RI bahwa rakyat Papua mendukung keanggotaan MSG.

“Tapi, aksi kami dihentikan dan ditangkap oleh polisi bersenjata,” kata Apay.

Mengakui polisi tidak menggunakan kekerasan, katanya, “Secara psikologis, orang merasa terintimidasi ketika mereka dipaksa masuk ke dalam mobil polisi dan dibawa ke kantor polisi.”

Pastor John Djonga dari Keuskupan Jayapura mengatakan kepada ucanews.com bahwa polisi seharusnya tidak mengintimidasi, teror atau penyiksaan warga Papua, karena situasi di Papua telah menjadi perhatian serius di wilayah Asia Pasifik.

MSG secara terbuka mendukung Papua menjadi anggota, katanya.

Papua Nugini, yang sebelumnya mendukung pemerintah Indonesia telah bergeser mendukung Papua Barat sebagai anggota penuh MSG, tambahnya.

“Ini harus memacu pemerintah Indonesia mencari solusi untuk masalah Papua,” kata Pastor Djonga.

Panggrasia Yeem, anggota Parlemen Rakyat, sebuah organisasi hak yang dilarang oleh pemerintah Indonesia dan penyelenggara aksi damai itu, mengatakan tindakan represif polisi merupakan upaya untuk mengekang demokrasi.

Mereka harus tahu bahwa Papua adalah masalah internasional dan tidak dapat diselesaikan dengan menggunakan hukum Indonesia.

“Kami adalah bagian dari Melanesia,” katanya.

Kapolres Merauke, Ajun Komisaris Besar Polisi (AKBP) Taufik Irpan Awaludin, mengatakan para demonstran ditangkap karena mengambil bagian dalam unjuk rasa yang diselenggarakan oleh kelompok-kelompok terlarang – Komite Nasional Papua Barat dan Parlemen Rakyat.

“Kami tidak memberikan izin untuk kelompok-kelompok tertentu untuk menggelar aksi unjuk rasa,” katanya.

Sumber: ucanews.com

Forum Secretariat prioritizes West Papua

Posted: August 15, 2015 | Author: bobmakin | Filed under: The Daily Digest

From the United Liberation Movement for West Papua yesterday …

ULMWP welcomes recommendation to make West Papua top regional Forum leaders agenda

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) has today welcomed the recommendation set by the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s Special Sub-Committee on Regionalism (SSCR) and the Forum Officials Committee for West Papua to be one of the top priority issues of the regional agenda.

ULMWP Secretary General, Octovianus Mote, attributed the increasing awareness on the state of West Papua to growing ground swell of people solidarity movements in the Pacific, reflected by the media coverage of the issue, and the three submissions from various solidarity groups around the region advocating the peaceful resolution of the struggles of the people of West Papua.

“The Forum Officials Committee which considered the issue of West Papua yesterday we understand has taken a decision to endorse West Papua as one of the five top regional issues that will be considered by forum leaders next month in PNG during the leaders’ summit,” said Mote.

“In the words of the current Secretary General, Dame Meg Taylor, the forum has a history and regional role in assisting territories achieve self-determination, and we are certain our leaders will act on our plea to address the growing human rights abuse in West Papua by establishing a fact finding mission, and supporting the call by Vanuatu for the UN to appoint a special envoy to West Papua,” added Mote.

Mr Mote also welcomed the decision by the Solomon Islands Government to appoint a Special Envoy on West Papua and seek West Papua’s admission to the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.

“On behalf of the ULMWP, I extend our deepest gratitude to the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare, and the solidarity movement in the Solomon Islands…I would also like to thank other solidarity movement partners in the Pacific for their continued support for standing up for the people of West Papua.”

He said he is confident in Prime Minister Sogavare as the current chairman of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, and that under his leadership, he will steer a peaceful path for West Papua. ULMWP respectfully urges Pacific Island leaders to join with PM Sogavare to steer a peaceful path for West Papua.

MSG: The sick or the strong man of the Pacific?

Sade Bimantara, The JakartaPost.com, Spokesperson for the Indonesian Embassy in Australia, Canberra | Fri, July 15 2016 | 08:21 am

After almost one decade of existence, the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has shown its potential to become “the strong man of the South Pacific”. It is making the region more economically integrated while sustaining its Melanesian cultural identity.

However, one issue threatens the group’s core interests and imperils the whole MSG project. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua’s (ULMWP) continuing disruptive and destructive practices in the MSG process endanger the group’s unity and integrity.

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 4 million people of Papua and West Papua provinces of Indonesia. As a democracy, the people there directly elect their real leaders in a fair and transparent manner.

The ULMWP’s lone agenda of taking territories away from a sovereign country sets a grave precedent.

The MSG may be displaying the symptoms of a sick man. By allowing the ULMWP to hijack the group’s agenda, the MSG is unintentionally sending the wrong message. It is saying that it is okay for other political organizations to join the group and demand a chunk of a country’s territories for themselves.

It is saying that it is fine to betray the Agreed Principles of Cooperation of the MSG: “the principles of respect for each other’s sovereignty”. It is also saying that it is acceptable to alienate a large portion of the Melanesian population in the Pacific.

It is an undeniable demographic and geographic reality that 11 million people of Melanesian ancestry live in the five Indonesian provinces of East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, North Maluku, Papua and West Papua. It is hard to achieve the group’s goal of cultural solidarity and a greater voice for the Melanesian people if the voices of more than half of the Melanesian population are not welcomed, which is precisely the ambition of the ULMWP.

Ambassador Mickey Roy Joy, Vanuatu’s top representative in Brussels, the capital of the EU, recently told the Vanuatu Daily Post that “the MSG has been too politicized by the member leaders and the MSG has tarnished its integrity”.

There are millions of NGOs and non-profit organizations in the world. One thing that these NGOs have in common is their laser-focus on addressing all sorts of issues, including poverty alleviation, women’s rights, human rights, social justice and other matters.

These non-profits, especially the international NGOs, conduct research and advocacy and carry out effective engagement at many international institutions.

In the process, as noted by the Global Policy Forum, they create “public goods” that normally are not produced by the for-profit second sector and fill the gap that may have been left by the government or the first sector.

The ULMWP stands apart from all those public goods creating NGOs. Instead of delivering services or creating public goods useful for the population, the ULMWP’s negative propaganda stirs division among member countries. Its activities encourage other NGOs to exploit the MSG to advance their political agenda, weakening the group’s capacity to deliver on its original mandate.

It is time for the MSG to shift its focus back to what matters: cultural solidarity and development of the Melanesian people.

With an inclusive approach that welcomes the more than half the Melanesian population living in the eastern parts of Indonesia, the MSG can truly engage in initiatives that strengthen the bonds of cultural solidarity among Melanesians.

Last month, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu agreed to a new and more comprehensive trade agreement. Dubbed the MSGTA3, this agreement covers both commodity and trade in services, labor mobility and investment.

By extending this agreement to include all countries that have a significant Melanesian population, for instance, trade and investment among members of the agreement will significantly grow. MSG members largely produce similar exports, which offset the benefits of the free trade agreement. By trading with other countries that produce a variety of goods different from what the members produce, the MSG will gain more extensive trade and investment.

Increased foreign trade will boost the economic growth of MSG members. Residents of Honiara, Port Vila, Port Moresby and the Papua capital of Jayapura will enjoy greater variety of goods and services. Greater international trade will introduce better methods of production and promote efficiency that lowers costs for consumers.

As the market widens for each member, more jobs will be created to cater to new demand for products and services. Increased international trade will also foster good will, mutual understanding and closer cultural connection among all the countries involved.

As the MSG leaders meet in Honiara on Thursday, the choice is stark. Does the MSG want the presence of the ULMWP to unravel the achievements and institutional framework painstakingly built over the years? Does it want to distance itself from a large portion of the Melanesian population?

The stakeholders of MSG, its members, the Melanesian population and the region would be better off if the group refocuses its energy on what really matters: on locking cultural solidarity for all Melanesians; on facilitating the delivery of goods and services affordable to all; and on helping to create jobs and raise prosperity for all Melanesians in the region.

***

The writer is spokesperson for the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra.

—————

Sir Michael Somare: We Melanesians must make right choice on Papua

By PMC Editor – July 14, 2016, By Sir Michael Somare

Sir Michael Somare
Sir Michael Somare … “Our decisions made at the MSG Leaders’ Summit over these next two days will embed values in future generations of Melanesian people who will regard our solidarity with admiration if we make the right decisions regarding decolonisation and self-determination.” Image: Malumnalu.blogspot

The four Melanesian prime ministers of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Fiji will come together in Honiara, Solomon Islands today as chairman Manasseh Sogavare hosts the 23rd Melanesian Spearhead Group Special Leader’s Summit.

Decolonisation and independence of Melanesian countries are processes of liberation close to my heart. The Noumea Accord, for instance, symbolises the pursuit of self-reliance and autonomy synonymous with the rights and freedoms available to all peoples of this century.

In practice the accord provides for technical assistance, training programmes for the Kanaky people still residing under French sovereign rule.

Such arrangements already provide a legal and practical framework for the indigenous people of New Caledonia to fully exercise their right to self–determination, even as they long for independence.

Our decisions made at the MSG Leaders’ Summit over these next two days will embed values in future generations of Melanesian people who will regard our solidarity with admiration if we make the right decisions regarding decolonisation and self-determination.

From today we will tell our own story, the story of our constitutional and universal right to exercise the freedoms given to us at independence in each of our countries.

Today we can, by consensus, trigger the process for greater self-determination to be enjoyed by West Papuans.

‘Founding Father’
As a “Founding Father” I am encouraged by the progress made already on the key issue of West Papua’s full membership to the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

I am inspired that the MSG senior officials, ministers and leaders will have maintained consensus despite some complex and sensitive diplomatic, economic, social, and political issues.

Genuine and inclusive consultation among all MSG member states and one territory in considering the future path to decolonisation and self-determination for West Papua is critical now more than ever before.

We can strengthen the Melanesian Spearhead Group and our region, which includes West Papua, by ensuring that Melanesian leaders in Honiara approve the United Liberation Movement for West Papua’s application for full membership to the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

We are one people spread over many continents and oceans, separated by the sea and mountain ranges in diverse sovereign jurisdictions.

Our ancestors roamed freely over our shared land and sea for centuries prior to colonial and Christian interventions.

We must hold onto that spirit of a vast community that underpins our modern efforts within diplomacy and international cooperation and dialogue.

Political upheaval
All MSG member states and one territory have experienced some level of political upheaval and civil conflict requiring decisive political and economic reform and declarations for peaceful transitions to occur.

The export of mineral resources and agricultural commodities remains a key source of revenue for all states and one territory at the MSG.

So it is essential that we endeavor to sustain political stability in order to buttress economic and environmental sustainability for the good of all Melanesian people.

But our sub-region can only prosper when all political, economic, socio-cultural and environmental issues are considered in the same light according to the needs of all of our people.

Our growth potential relies on our diplomatic and official relationships, our ties and our linkages to the rest of the world. But as a group of ethnically linked people we have always relied on talking, exchange and cultural participation.

We are Melanesians after all. That is what makes us distinct.

We bring those distinct features to every forum but this week at the Melanesian Spearhead Group Special Leaders’ Summit we have a unique opportunity yet again to decide on our own future with integrity as self-governing and independent members of a powerful sub-regional bloc.

More than ever that sub-region needs to include West Papua as an integral part and, as an equally participating member.

Rt Hon Grand Chief Sir Michael T Somare
Port Moresby

New PIDF Chair Dubs 4th PIDF Leaders Summit a Success

The PIDF Chair, Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare of Solomon Islands.
The PIDF Chair, Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare of Solomon Islands.

The Honiara-hosted 4th Pacific Islands Forum Development Forum Leaders’ Summit concluded yesterday and the new Chair of the organisation, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Hon Manasseh Sogavare described the two-day dialogue as ‘very successful.’

Addressing the Press at the conclusion of the summit late yesterday, Prime Minister Sogavare who has assumed the PIDF Chairmanship for a two-year period said, “ It was a very successful summit. Everything went very well as planned with a number of very important resolutions reached.”

He said the summit started off with pre-summit discussions on various topics of interest to PIDF Member States and concluded with the handing over of the chairmanship from Prime Minister Hon Bainimarama of Fiji to him as well as discussions on the report of the PIDF Secretary-General Mr Martel Francois.

The pre-summit discussions covered the Paris Agreement, which emanated from the United Nations Summit on Climate Change in Paris (COP21), roadmap to COP22 in Marrakesh, Morocco, Harnessing and Guaranteeing Ocean Wealth, Enhancing Collaboration in Achieving the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and Opportunities for Accessing Climate Change Adaptation Financing.

The PIDF chairmanship handover to the Solomon Islands Prime Minister from his Fiji counterpart- the first time for another PIDF Member State apart from Fiji to take on this role- will see the incumbent serve for a two-year term.

The report by the PIDF Secretary-General covered PIDF’s Budget and Work Programme for 2017, Regional Development Trust Fund, Roadmap for Climate Change, Proposal for a Pacific Climate Treaty, Resolution for the Observance of the Pacific Year of Ocean 2017, PIDF Blue Economy Conference in 2017, PIDF role in UN Conference on Oceans and Seas, PIDF Contribution to the Climate Induced Migration Summit and the IMO- European Union Project on Capacity Building for Climate Change Mitigation in the Maritime Shipping Sector.

“As you know the Pacific Islands Development forum is made up of small developing island states and is a very inclusive organisation and therefore the summit was very much focused on getting our collective voice on global issues affecting us.

“ We acknowledge that because of our smallness, we can only make an influence on decisions on global issues that affect us if we have a collective stand and I think we have improved on that. The outcome of the Paris Agreement for example- the number of positions that were put forward by our small island developing states leading on from the climate change heavily focused Suva Declaration (this declaration emanated from the third PIDF Leaders’ Summit held in Suva, Fiji in 2015).

“A number of issues that were raised by leaders at that forum are reflected in the Paris Agreement. What is left now is the implementation of that agreement which we leaders see as a huge challenge but once again there is that collective approach because of our smallness.

“The achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for example, while we appreciate that the prime responsibility to ensure these goals are achieved rests with member countries to streamline our various targets and goals to develop economical strategies, the need for a collective voice on decisions on very important issues affecting us underpins the importance of the PIDF.”

The resolutions reached at the 4th summit will be developed into a declaration called the Honiara Declaration, which will be released in due course.

The Secretary-General Mr Francois in turn thanked the Solomon Islands Government for hosting the summit, adding that it was quite special as it was the first to be held outside of Fiji since the inception of PIDF in 2013 and enforcement of the PIDF Charter during the third Leaders’ Summit in Suva, Fiji, 10-months ago.

He said the decision to start hosting the annual summit outside of Fiji shows the spirit of inclusivity the PIDF wants to instil in its members.

“We owe the gratitude for Solomon Islands to take on that challenging role. Prime Minister Sogavare has taken upon himself quite a challenge because we are talking about two years of chairmanship, which means two Leaders’ Summits, four Members of the Representative Council Meetings and hopefully the 2017 Blue Economy Summit,”

Mr Francois added.

The PIDF Secretary-General said the PIDF Leaders at this year’s summit focused not only on the PIDF organisational structure but also discussions reflecting on the oceans and the key issues that will happen in 2016 and 2017.

He said the summit also focused on the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the roadmap of the PIDF to the upcoming UN Climate Change Summit (COP22) in Marrakesh, Morocco.

“You know we were all excited that the Paris Agreement was signed though it has not been fully ratified yet. But there is a lot of excitement about what could be done but there are also a lot of difficulties in ensuring that we are not trying to rewrite the Paris Agreement.

“COP22 is not about refining the Paris Agreement. It’s rather about putting in place modalities for its implementation and the Pacific still has a very key role to play in ensuring that we continue the leadership role that we took in Paris, France and that is evident by the work that leaders did in the shaping of the Suva Declaration.”

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

West Papuans arrested for supporting ULMWP

8:42 pm GMT+12, 14/07/2016, Solomon Islands

Reports of arrests of West Papuans by Indonesian security forces have increased in numbers since Thursday, as many gathered in anticipation of the Melanesian Spearhead Group decision on the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) membership.

Reports from inside West Papua confirmed that 348 arrests since were made.

ULMWP Secretary General, Octovianus Mote, confirmed the 348 arrests, saying West Papuans simply wanted to celebrate the outcome of the MSG Special Leaders Summit’s decision on ULMWP membership application.

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

Mote said this is Indonesia’s clamp down on West Papuans who support ULMWP will only impose fear among the people.

He said most arrests were done in Timika, Jayapura, Merauke, Nabire, and Yahukimo. “Just to confirm that these arrests were done while more Melanesians in Fiji, PNG, Kanaky, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands joined in solidarity to support us.”

Pacific solidarity movements for West Papua are calling on Melanesian leaders’ to recognise ULMWP and not to shy away from their responsibility as Melanesian leaders.

The call for West Papua’s political recognition at the MSG through ULMWP has been supported by solidarity movements in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu and Kanaky (New Caledonia).

With representatives from respective West Papua movements in Melanesia, over 3000 people marched the streets of Honiara in a peaceful demonstration yesterday morning, while the MSG leaders convened the special leaders summit.

Chairman of the PNG Union for Free West Papua, Kenn Mondiai, reminded the PNG delegation present at the summit that it was the advice of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in 2012 that the ULMWP was asked organise itself before seeking membership to MSG.

“In 2014 MSG granted Observer status to ULMWP. So Papua New Guinea must be true to its word and recognize its brothers and sisters from West Papua for they are Melanesian and they are family,” urged Mondiai.

“I call on Prime Minister Pete O’Neill and Minister Rimbink Pato to reserve their economic relations with Indonesia and consider humanity, our Melanesian cultural and connection to our West Papuan family,” said Mondiai

SOURCE: PACNEWS

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.

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