Sogavare: Para pemimpin MSG wajib hasilkan keputusan positif

Ketua MSG, Perdana Menteri Sogavare (tengah) bersama para pemimpin MSG, Perdana Menteri Charlot Salwai (kiri), dan Juru Bicara FLNKS Victor Tutugoro - IST — Ketua MSG, Perdana Menteri Sogavare (tengah) bersama para pemimpin MSG, Perdana Menteri Charlot Salwai (kiri), dan Juru Bicara FLNKS Victor Tutugoro – IST

Jayapura, Jubi – Perdana Menteri Manasseh Sogavare melakukan tur ke Vanuatu, Fiji dan PNG dalam rangka membangun konsensus dengan para pemimpin Melanesia lainnya terkait sejumlah isu penting dengan cara dialog dan persaudaraan Melanesia.

Menurutnya, dalam rilis yang dikeluarkan kantor Perdana Menteri Selasa (17/1/2017), tur tersebut menyusul pertemuan tingkat menteri Desember lalu di Port Vila, tur tersebut untuk membicarakan dua isu penting dengan para pemimpin MSG.

Isu pertama adalah restrukturisasi sekretariat MSG di Port Vila agar memastikan kesesuaiannya dengan prioritas-prioritas anggota MSG serta memberikan layanan mendesak pada warga MSG. Isu selanjutnya adalah Pedoman Keanggotaan.

Akhir tahun lalu pihak-pihak yang mendukung keanggotaan penuh ULMWP di MSG, seperti Pastor Allan Nafuki, Ketua Asosiasi Free West Papua Vanuatu (VFWPA) mengaku kecewa karena para pemimpin MSG tidak memenuhi janji mereka mendorong keanggotaan penuh ULMWP pada di Port Vila akhir Desember lalu.

Sebelumnya, Nafuki pernah menyatakan Manasseh Sogavare mengatakan pada dirinya dengan maupun tanpa kehadiran PNG dan Fiji, KTT MSG Desember lalu akan tetap dilangsungkan dan menjamin masuknya ULMWP menjadi anggota penuh MSG.

Namun seperti diketahui, KTT para pemimpin yang berhak memutuskan status keanggotaan ternyata urung terjadi, dan pertemuan sebatas para menteri luar negeri anggota-anggota MSG membicarakan pedoman keanggotaan baru yang dibuat agar lebih berkesesuaian dengan prinsip-prinsip dasar Kemelanesiaan. Pedoman tersebut rencananya akan ditetapkan pada pertemuan KTT para pemimpin MSG yang hingga saat ini belum ditetapkan tanggal pelaksanaanya.

Tur Sogavare yang sedang berlangsung ke tiga negara anggota MSG tersebut hendak mendorong agar Pedoman Keanggotaan dan Aplikasi atas Keanggotaan Baru mendapat persetujuan.

“Kehendak saya semata-mata untuk memastikan agar Pedoman ini segera disetujui oleh para Pemimpin,” ujar Sogavare sambil mengingat kunjungan pertamanya yang berdampak positif dalam mendorong kesepemahaman terkait isu-isu di wilayah itu.

“Tujuan saya ingin mendorong dialog yang lebih sering antar pemimpin sehingga kita dapat membangun konsensus dan kesepemahaman terkait isu-isu penting di wilayah kita. Para pemimpin juga punya tanggung jawab lebih besar untuk pastikan keputusan-keputusan berdampak positif pada kehidupan warganya,” kata dia.

Sogavare mengapresiasi sambutan Perdana Menteri Vanuatu kepada delegasinya sejak tiba di Port Vila Minggu malam lalu. Pertemuan dengan Charlot Salwai dan juru bicara FLNKS Victor Tutugoro berlangsung Selasa.

Menurutnya kedua pemimpin beserta dirinya akan membangun level interaksi yang lebih erat dengan Perdana Menteri Fiji Bainimarama Jumat (20/1) dan Perdana Menteri PNG Peter O’Neill akhir Februari nanti.

Oleh sebab itu, delegasi Kepulauan Solomon dan Perdana Menteri Sogavare akan kembali ke Honiara, Kepulauan Solomon Minggu (22/1). Pertemuan dengan Peter O’Neil dipindah ke bulan Februari.

Ketua MSG akan membuat pernyataan hasil diskusinya dengan rekan-rekan MSG selama kunjungan putaran kedua, khususnya setelah menyelesaikan tur ke Port Moresby bulan depan. (*)

January 20, 2017 0

Bicarakan keanggotaan West Papua, Sogavare mulai tur MSG

Ketua Melanesia Spearhead Group (MSG), Perdana Menteri Kepulauan Solomon Manasseh Sogavare saat bertemu pimpinan ULMWP di Honiara tahun lalu - Jubi/Victor Mambor — Ketua Melanesia Spearhead Group (MSG), Perdana Menteri Kepulauan Solomon Manasseh Sogavare saat bertemu pimpinan ULMWP di Honiara tahun lalu – Jubi/Victor Mambor

Jayapura, Jubi – Ketua Melanesia Spearhead Group (MSG), Perdana Menteri Kepulauan Solomon Manasseh Sogavare memulai turnya ke Ibukota negara-negara anggota MSG, Jumat (13/1/2017).

Dilansir RNZI (13/1) Tur ini dilakukan Sogavare setelah gagalnya penyelenggaraan KTT para pemimpin MSG tahun lalu akibat perbedaan pandang bagaimana memposisikan diri terhadap isu West Papua.

Bulan lalu, beberapa menteri luar negeri negara-negara MSG bertemu di Port Vila dan membuat rekomendasi keanggotaan MSG, namun Frank Bainimarama , Perdana Menteri Fiji tidak hadir.

Kepulauan Solomon dan Vanuatu selama ini yang terus membuka diri mengakomodir keanggotaan penuh West Papua di MSG sementara Fiji dan PNG menolaknya.

Indonesia yang menganggap West Papua adalah bagian Melanesia dari NKRI, sebagai anggota asosiasi berkeinginan mencegah ULMWP mendapatkan keanggotaan penuh di MSG.

Sogavare dijadwalkan bertemua Charlot Salwai, kolega politiknya di Port Vila serta juru bicara gerakan FLNKS Kaledonia Baru, Victor Tutugoro. DIa kemudian bertolak ke ke Suva, Fiji dan Port Moresby, PNG.

Menurut informasi kantor Perdana Menteri Kepulauan Solomon, melalui tur tersebut Sogavare juga akan mengajukan Revisi Kriteria status Keanggotaan Observer, Keanggotaan Associate dan Pedoman baru MSG kepada para pemimpin tersebut.

Perdana Menteri bersama delapan anggota delegasinya, termasuk sekretaris MSG, pejabat kementerian luar negeri dan perdagangan serta anggota kepolisian khusus akan kembali ke Honiara 26 Januari mendatang.(*)

January 16, 2017 0

Sogavare: Demi West Papua, MSG akan luaskan dukungan

PM Kepulauan Solomon, Manasseh Sogavare saat bertemu ULMWP di Honiara, awal tahun 2016 - Dok. Jubi — PM Kepulauan Solomon, Manasseh Sogavare saat bertemu ULMWP di Honiara, awal tahun 2016 – Dok. Jubi

Jayapura, Jubi – Perdana Menteri Kepulauan Solomon, Manasseh Sogavare menegaskan bahwa Melanesia Spearhead Group (MSG) akan mengikutsertakan Mikronesia, Polinesia, dan negeri-negeri Afrika untuk berjuang melawan pelanggaran HAM di West Papua.

Sogavare mengungkapkan hal tersebut di hadapan Parlemen Kepulauan Solomon ketika ditanyakan oleh Pemimpin Oposisi, Jeremiah Manele, Kamis, (15/12) seperti dilansir Solomon Star Jum’at (16/12/2016).

Menurut Sogavare, Papua Nugini dan Fiji sudah jelas memilih jalan berbeda atas persoalan West Papua dan tidak berkeinginan mengikuti tujuan dan pendirian MSG.

“PNG itu berbatasan langsung dengan Indonesia dan memilih lebih berhat-hati, sedangkan Fiji sudah punya hubungan yang kokoh dengan Indonesia,” ujar Sogavare.

Atas dasar itulah, lanjutnya, Kepulauan Solomon, Vanuatu, dan Kaledonia baru akan mengikutsertakan negeri-negeri Mikronesia dan Polinesia serta kelompok non aliansi di Afrika,” ujarnya.

Lebih lanjut Sogavare menegaskan pemerintahannya akan terus melanjutkan diplomasi terkait isu West Papua melalui pengiriman utusan khusus untuk berkonsultasi dan menjalin hubungan di negeri-negeri Pasifik.

“Kami kirimkan utusan untuk bicara dengan para pemimpin di dalam lingkaran kami sendiri dan keluar Melanesia,” ujar Ketua MSG tersebut.

Rex Horoi adalah utusan khusus Kepulauan Solomon untuk persoalan West Papua. Sogavare mengatakan masa tugas utusan tersebut akan berakhir setelah dua tahun periode kepemimpinannya di MSG.

Namun, Sogavare menghendaki persoalan ini dibicarakan di Parlemen untuk mencari cara agar tugas-tugas (penanganan West Papua) tersebut bisa tetap berlanjut walau kepemimpinannya di MSG selesai.

Indonesia sebaiknya memahami

Jeremiah Manele, Pemimpin Oposisi parlemen Solomon di kesempatan itu mengakui bahwa persoalan West Papua adalah isu kompleks karena keterkaitan antara pelanggaran HAM dan penentuan nasib sendiri.

Namun, lanjutnya, inilah pertama kalinya Pemerintah Solomon mengambil langkah proaktif terkait kebijakan ini.

“Penting sekali bagi Indonesia untuk memahami posisi kita,” kata Manele sambil berharap bahwa konsultasi dan jalinan hubungan dua arah di Pasifik tersebut dapat berlanjut. “Hal itu bisa membantu Indonesia mengerti darimana asal usul kita,” tambahnya.

Manele juga mendukung kebijakan pemerintah Kepulauan Solomon terhadap West Papua dengan menambahkan bahwa pendekatan yang sudah dilakukan sekarang tidak kontra produktif.

“Saya kira sebaiknya memang pendekatan konsultatif dan lebih dua arah harus kita lanjutkan terkait persoalan ini, agar tidak kontra produktif,” ujarnya.

Manele juga mendukung gagasan melanjutkan kebijakan ini di Parlemen setelah periode Horoi berakhir.

Awal November lalu sebuah pernyataan sikap dari Kelompok Oposisi Parlemen sempat menggugat Perdana Menteri Sogavare atas kebijakannya yang dinilai sangat konfrontatif terkait West Papua. Oposisi menghendaki perubahan pendekatan terkait isu tersebut.

“Kita semua peduli masalah pelanggaran HAM di West Papua. Namun ada cara lain menangani isu ini ketimbang mengambil pendekatan konfrontatif seperti yang dilakukan Perdana Menteri. Itu tak saja sudah mengintervensi kedaulatan Indonesia, namun juga urusan domestik negara itu,” ujar pernyataan tersebut.

Namun, dengan pernyataan tanggapan Jeremiah Manele, pemimpin oposisi, Kamis lalu itu di hadapan parlemen, tampaknya Pemerintah Solomon dan Parlemen pada akhirnya melanjutkan komitmen mengadvokasi persoalan pelanggaran HAM dan penentuan nasib sendiri West Papua dengan pendekatan yang lebih partisipatif.(*)

December 18, 2016 0

PM: MSG seeks wider support for West Papua

PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare says the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has include Micronesia, Polynesia, and African countries to fight against human rights violations in West Papua.

Mr Sogavare explained this in Parliament when asked by Opposition Leader, Jeremiah Manele on Thursday.

He said Papua New Guinea and Fiji have taken different stand on this issue and did not want to follow the purpose and stand of MSG.

“PNG shares the same border with Indonesia and want to take cautious and Fiji has fixed connections with Indonesia,” Mr Sogavare said.

“Therefore, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia will include the Micronesia and Polynesia countries ply non alliance group in Africa,” he said.

Furthermore, Mr Sogavare said the government will continue with the shuttle diplomacy of sending the envoy to consult and engage in Pacific countries.

“We send our envoy to talk with the leaders within our own circle and outside of Melanesia,” the MSG chair said.

Rex Horoi is the Solomon Islands’ special envoy to West Papua.

Mr Sogavare said the envoy’s term will end after his two years with MSG lapses.

However, he wants to take it up to Parliament to find ways to continue after the chair of MSG ends.

Opposition leader, Mr Manele said it’s a complex issue because it involves self-determination and human rights.

However, he said this is the first time for the government to take a proactive step on this policy.

“It’s important for Indonesia to understand our position,” Mr Manele said.

“I hope the engagement and consultation go on, can help Indonesia to understand where we are coming from,” he added.

“I guess it’s advisable for more engaging and consultative approach we continue to take on this matter, at the end of the day, not counter-productive,” he said.

Mr Manele supports the idea to continue with a policy in Parliament after the end of Mr Horoi’s term.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

December 18, 2016 0

Magnitude 7.8 quake strikes Solomon Islands – tsunami warning eases

Pacific countries on tsunami alert following a 7.8 magnitude earthquake off Solomon Islands. Image: USGS

A tsunami warning has been issued for several Pacific countries – including Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu – following an earthquake with magnitude 7.8 about 68km off the coast of Kirakira in the Solomon Islands early today.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) initially reported the quake at 4.18am local time as 8.0, but later downgraded it to 7.8.

“Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within the next three hours along some coasts of Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, New Caledonia, Tuvalu and Kosrae,” stated the warning issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.

The centre called on government agencies responsible for dealing with emergency situations to “take action to inform and instruct any coastal populations at risk in accordance with their own evaluation”.

The epicentre of the quake was registered at a depth of 48.7km, according to USGS.

There were no immediate reports of damage to homes in the capital, Honiara.

Tsunami warnings with ETA just hours after the quake struck was issued by the USGS for Kirakira, Auki, Honiara and parts of the Central and Isabel Provinces, but has since passed.

No evacuation was planned for the national referral hospital located on the coast of Honiara, sources said.

Preliminary reports from Kirakira said that while the quake was perhaps the biggest felt in recent times, there was no damage to homes and no immediate reports of casualties.

December 11, 2016 0

Solomon Islands Signs Melanesian Free Trade Agreement

Prime Minister Sogavare signing the new MSG Free Trade Agreement. Looking on are the Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon Milner Tozaka, Deputy Director-General of the MSG Secretariat, Mr Kilpak and an Administrative Officer from the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ms Joy Tealiklava.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare became the first Melanesian leader to sign the MSG Melanesian Free Trade Agreement, pledging his government’s full support for ratification of the Trade Agreement, as formalities are set down.

The MSG Free Trade Agreement is an expansion of the former agreements and includes trade in services, investment and labour mobility.

Prime Minister Sogavare who is also the MSG Chair, was elated at the new development in the sub-regional trade deal saying the agreement signals a new area for trade within the Melanesian region.

“Solomon Islands is happy to sign. Strategically, it is the right thing to do now”, he said when signing the new Melanesian Free Trade Agreement last Friday in Honiara.

He hailed the new trade agreement as ‘one of the answers’ to aid the economies of the Melanesian bloc, praising the contributions of the MSG Secretariat, as he thanked the MSG delegation. “Melanesia countries have more to gain out of this opportunity and I am excited as MSG Chair,” he said.

He said the signing of the new free trade agreement will harness the strengths and tap the opportunities of the Melanesian economies as they move to implement a free and integrated trade zone.

“It is just appropriate that we conclude this signing process,” he said, “As the Pacific island countries are moving towards completing the regional PACER- PLUS with Australia and New Zealand”.

The Melanesia Free Trade Agreement will come into force as long as two MSG Members ratify the Agreement.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, Hon Milner Tozaka said the Cabinet of Solomon Islands agreed to ratify the Trade Agreement once ratification processes are put in place.

Deputy Director General of MSG Secretariat Molean Kilepak said the next countries to sign will be Fiji and Papua New Guinea followed by Vanuatu.

Mr Kilepak thanked Prime Minister Sogavare on behalf of the Director General Amena Yauvoli, for taking the lead as the first country to ink the milestone achievement.

“It is a milestone for the MSG Secretariat and a great achievement for Melanesia”, said Mr Kilepak.

The signing was witnessed by Minister Tozaka, Acting Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Joseph Ma’ahanua, Special Secretary to MSG Chair, Mr Rence Sore and MSG Secretariat Programme Manager, Trade and Investment, Mr John Licht.

November 22, 2016 0

Move to kick Solomons PM out of party invalid: AG

radionz – The Solomon Islands attorney general says a decision to revoke the party membership of the prime minister is invalid.

Manasseh Sogavare Photo: RNZI Koroi Hawkins

Pacnews reported James Apaniai saying that, in his opinion, the United Democratic Party president Sir Thomas Chan did not comply with the regulations of the Political Parties Integrity Act or his party’s own constitution when he terminated prime minister Manasseh Sogavare’s party membership earlier this month.

Mr Apaniai said according to the UDP’s constitution only a disciplinary committee can terminate an individual’s party membership.

He said there were also no charges laid against Mr Sogavare which is required by both the Political Party Integrity Act regulations as well as the UDP party’s constitution.

The attorney general said the original decision was reached after discussions between the executives of the three government coalition parties which he said was also wrong as party membership is an internal matter.

Mr Apaniai also clarified that the status of Mr Sogavare’s party membership had no bearing on his position as prime minister.

November 21, 2016 0

Sogavare tetap bertugas sebagai perdana menteri

Perdana Menteri Kepulauan Solomon, Manasseh Sogavare bersama Presiden JICA, Shinichi Kitaoka di Honiara, Rabu (16/11/2016).—Solomonstarnews.com

Honiara, Jubi – Kendati disingkirkan dari partai politiknya tempat bernaung, Perdana Menteri Kepulauan Solomon, Manasseh Sogavare tetap bertugas sebagai perdana menteri. Rabu (16/11/2016), Sogavare menerima kunjungan presiden badan kerjasama pembangunan internasional dari Jepang (JICA), Shinichi Kitaoka.

Dalam pertemuan itu, Sogavare berterima kasih kepada Kitaoka atas kerjasama pembangunan yang telah dilakukan bersama Kepulauan Solomon. Sogavare berharap agar kerjasama itu terus berlanjut.

Shinichi mengatakan bahwa JICA berencana melanjutkan kerjasama membantu Kepulauan Solomon dalam bidang pembangunan infrastruktur, perubahan iklim, manajemen air dan limbah dan pembangunan sumber daya manusia.

Sogavare berharap agar JICA juga bisa mendukung rencana pemerintah Kepulauan Solomon dalam memerangi korupsi, perubahan iklim dan strategi manajemen infrastruktur. Ia juga menjelaskan bahwa pemerintah tengah menjalankan reformasi untuk memperkuat stabilitas politik.

Kitaoka mengatakan stabilitas politik adalah syarat utama dan terpenting dalam pembangunan yang berkelanjutan. JICA sebagai badan kerjasama Pemerintah Jepang akan terus mendukung pemerintahan Kepulauan Solomon. Ia juga mengaku senang dengan kinerja JICA di Honiara.

Dukungan

Setelah Partai Persatuan Demokratik (UDP) menyingkirkan Sogavare sebagai anggota, ia tetap terlihat optimistis akan tetap menjalani masa jabatannya hingga tahun keempat. “Kaukus pemerintahan telah menunjukkan dukungan kuat bagi kepemimpinan Perdana Menteri Manasseh Sogavare,” ujar Kaukus Pemerintahan dalam pernyataan pers yang dirilis pekan lalu sesaat sesudah muncul pengumuman pencabutan keanggotaan Sogavare dari UDP.

Salah seorang pimpinan UDP, Barnabas Henson, mengatakan bahwa Sogavare memang akan tetap menjadi perdana menteri meski disingkirkan dari UDP kecuali Sogavare dicopot oleh parlemen.

Para anggota parlemen dari UDP juga telah menyatakan dukungannya kepada Sogavare. UDP adalah anggota koalisi pembentuk pemerintahan bersama dua partai lainnya yaitu partai aliansi rakyat (PAP) dan partai Kadere. Ketiga partai itu membentuk koalisi demokratik untuk perubahan (DCC). (*)

November 17, 2016 0

Leave West Papua Issue Alon: Faisi

theislandsun.com – THE Leader of Free West Papua Movement in Solomon Islands has called on political parties to leave West Papua issue alone.

Speaking to this paper, Mr Samson Faisi said it is disappointing to see a National Leader use West Papua as a reason to topple Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

He pointed out that there are many important reasons the political parties put to represent their point but not West Papua.

Mr Faisi said Political Parties should find arguments on failed party policies the current government fail to deliver as their base of argument.

He strongly condemn Sir Nathaniel Waena’s statement in the paper yesterday to support the call for the Prime Minister to step down.

“Leave West Papua out of the political issue, West Papua issue deals with human safety and freedom as a human being we should think again.

“It is disappointing to see national leaders acting childish,” Mr Faisi said.

He said he is also an active member of a Political Party and that such statement not only shame but also cause embracement on the country.

Mr Faisi said the West Papua issues is dealing with safety and freedom of humanity and that leaders should see the real issue rather than talking nonsense.

He said seven countries in the Pacific are behind the fight to free West Papua and it is a shame for Solomon Islands to pick on West Papua as scapegoat in the current Political uphill.

Meanwhile Mr Faisi salutes Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare for his support toward West Papua.

November 16, 2016 0

Govt Intact: Says Sogavare while refuting claims to oust him

Solomon Star News – The Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has refuted claims there are moves to topple his government in this parliament sitting.

Speaking in an interview Mr Sogavare described the claim baseless.

“It is a complete lie, a typical example of desperate effort by people with dirty motives to distort matters.

“I am enjoying the support of the entire government bench,” Mr Sogavare said.

Meanwhile a Cabinet minister said most MPs and ministers within the current ruling government disagree with the Party’s president Sir Thomas Chan to terminate the Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare from UDP.

The minister who wants his name witheld said the DCC government is remain solid to pass its 2017 national budget when Parliament is resume to deliberate on the budget today.

“…we are confident that we will sail through 2018 with no problems.

“They confirmed and pledged each other that there is no hidden agenda and there will be none.

“DCC has the best and right policies to move the country forward during their tenure in office and beyond.”

There are speculations that Ministers will take a mass resignation or walkout from government and support the Opposition.

However the MP refuted the claim saying: “The Ministers said that we already have a legitimate government so why should we form another one with people who are only hungry for power and position at the expense of the mass.”

Prime Minister Sogavare believes that the time has come for all leaders to set aside the shackles of doubt and suspicion that only breeds perceptions and media propaganda to influence public opinion to promote self rather than unity and peace.

However, a well placed source within UDP party said, despite PM’s claim of solidarity and infact, a rift is happening within the DCC government.

“ PM is playing the old game, and responds from our President is nothing but the truth, he did not address issues UDP have raised oftently when Cabinet meets,” the source said.

The source said the PM never respects UDP Party, the Party that puts him into power to become the country’s prime minister.

He said UDP must elect a new parliamnetary leader becasuse now PM is leading DCCG without a political party that requires a legal explanation.

“Issues we need clarification on Sogavare’s membership of UDP and leader of the coalition in the light of his removal from UDP. These questions could be raised as a point of order in parliament tomorrow (today).”

He said Prime Minister needs to realize that DCCG is UDP, PAP and Kadere, not himself.

“His leadership of DCCG is by virtue of his membership of UDP.”

Parliament resumes this morning after being adjourned from last week.

BY ELLIOT DAWEA
FREELANCE JOURNALIST

November 14, 2016 0