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

ULMWP accepts MSG decision and calls for greater support of West Papua

BY: Anonymous 16:00, July 17, 2016, Pacific Loop

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) remains positive despite the Melanesian Spearhead Group’s (MSG) decision to defer its application for full membership.

ULMWP spokesperson, Benny Wenda, said this could be seen as a delay tactic but ULMWP acknowledges the technical issues highlighted by the leaders and senior officials of the MSG.

The MSG special leaders’ summit on July 14, in the Solomon Islands, had agreed to defer the consideration of the application for full membership by ULMWP until membership criteria and guidelines are further developed.

“We want to thank our Melanesian leaders and the chair and Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands for discussing and facilitating our application for full membership. Though disappointed, we remain optimistic to see our application further discussed in September in Port Vila, Vanuatu,” said Wenda.

“We call on our West Papuan people, our Melanesian and Pacific families, and global supporters to view the current decision of our leaders not as defeat but as progress to improving processes within the MSG.”

Wenda thanked the people of West Papua and the Pacific for the tremendous support, stressing the need for more support within Melanesia and the Pacific as MSG works towards September’s special leaders’ summit in Vanuatu.

“We the ULMWP would not come this far if it wasn’t for the grassroots and Pacific leadership support and we call for more support as we work towards establishing a political voice for our people of West Papua.”

ULMWP secretary general, Octovianus Mote, added that West Papuans are Melanesians and our issues of human rights abuse and self-determination must be rightfully addressed in the Pacific and not on Indonesia’s terms.

(Solomon Islands solidarity for West Papua marching the streets of Honiara during the MSG meet last week.)

July 17, 2016 0

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

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

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

July 14, 2016 0

MSG rejects West Papua membership bid

4:48 pm on 29 June 2015, RadioNZNews

The Melanesian Spearhead Group has knocked back West Papua’s bid to become a full member of the group, while elevating Indonesia’s status.

Listen (duration 4′ :48″) Download: Ogg | MP3

Tags: West Papua
Transcript

The Melanesian Spearhead Group has knocked back West Papua’s bid to become a full member of the group, while elevating Indonesia’s status.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua hoped to follow in the footsteps of New Caledonia’s FLNKS in obtaining full MSG membership, without being a sovereign government.

This would have been Papua’s first recognition in an international fora since the region was incorporated into Indonesia.

Koroi Hawkins has more.

“Let us not forget the dreams and wishes of our people to be part of a Melanesian family. The desire of our people for an inclusive MSG. An MSG that is able to stand for what is right in the world, where such values are now struggling to survive.”

It was a passionate speech by Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare at the opening of the MSG Leaders Summit in Honiara on Wednesday.

One that brought tears to the eyes of the members of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua delegation present and sparked hope in West Papuan Leaders such as Benny Wenda.

“I think his speech is the really amazing ever and I think now its time for the Melanesian leaders to show the world that they can handle this problem because this is the longest struggle, 50 years is enough that’s why it is time for Melanesian leaders to look at this issue and bring West Papua into Melanesia.”

And bring them in they did. But not in the way Benny Wenda or anyone else for that matter had envisioned.

The MSG rejected the ULM bid for membership and instead granted them observer status, with an interesting twist, while elevating Indonesia’s own observer status to that of associate member.

A Solomon Islands academic Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka, who is an associate professor at the University of Hawaii’s school of Pacific Island Studies, says the latter decision is the most disappointing for Melanesians.

“Not so much for the fact that West Papua has been admitted only as an observer member but for the fact the Indonesia has been made a member of the MSG. I think thats the big dissappointment. On the other hand the fact that West Papua has been accorded an observer status is a good thing its a step in the right direction.”

But a spokesperson from the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra Sade Bimantara says its associate membership is a positive step for Melanesia.

“We believe that we can contribute to the Melanesian Spearhead Group. Add value to that and also to increase connectivity between people in the Asia Pacific with those Melanesian descendants in Indonesia.

For the ULM however there is only gratitude for what Benny Wenda describes simply as recognition.

“You know 53 years we, our voice never recognised and in the regional and international fora so this is why this is the first step for West Papua to become an observer in the Melanesian Spearhead Group.”

But the observer status comes with conditions that say the ULMWP is representing West Papuans outside of West Papua. A clause Dr Kabutaulaka says ignores the representative status already held by the ULM.

“To imply that it only represents people outside West Papua is in a way say that, you know, it is not really a legitimate representation of West Papuans and therefore when it comes to serious discussions it could be disregarded.”

And this was raised by Indonesia delegation in Honiara right off the bat according to Papua based journalist, Victor Mambor who was in Honiara for the summit.

Reading from an Indonesian statement released in response to the United Liberation Movement for West Papua’s speech in acceptance of its observer status, Victor Mambor said Indonesia rejected the ULM’s allegations of human rights abuses in West Papua as well as the ULM’s claim that it represented the people of West Papua.

“Listening to the statement of the observer calling itself ULMWP, I wonder if their participation in the MSG will contribute to its noble causes and principles. We categorically reject all these unfounded and false allegations made against the government of Indonesia.”

But Benny Wenda says to him the clause is irrelevant given the make up of the ULM and the extent to which the group has gone to make sure it was representative of the people of West Papua.

“They chose us as a leader of speaking out on behalf of people of West Papua. And this is representing people inside and outside which some of them live in exile, so we are representing people of West Papua.”

The full extent of the decisions made by MSG Leaders in Honiara this week are yet to play out in the region but a contrast can be taken in comparing the reactions of the two parties concerned.

First Indonesia.

“Indonesia is populated by about 253 million people. So this is a potential large market access for citizens of MSG. So if we can work together you know to increase our economic ties and development I think we can enhance the prosperity of our peoples.”

And secondly West Papua.

“We United Liberation Movement to pursue another further push to full membership. That is what we will fight for next step.

June 29, 2015 0

PNG prime minister wants to do more for Melanesians in West Papua

ABC Net News, Thursday, February 5, 2015

MARK COLVIN: Papua New Guinea’s prime minister Peter O’Neill has promised to do more to speak out on behalf of Melanesians in Indonesian West Papua.

In the past, Port Moresby has stuck firmly to its position that West Papua is an integral part of Indonesia. It’s been reluctant to talk about human rights abuses or to speak out on behalf of Melanesian separatists.

In a speech to a PNG leaders summit today, Mr O’Neill said the time had come to speak about oppression of brothers and sisters in West Papua.

Jemima Garrett reports.

JEMIMA GARRETT: Prime Minister Peter O’Neill told cabinet ministers, provincial governors, business leaders, and development partners such as Australia that 2015 will be a defining year for PNG in an increasingly uncertain world.

At home, Mr O’Neill sees a year in which core policies such as free education, better healthcare and infrastructure, and stronger law and order, take root, despite pressure on the budget from lower gas prices.

In the wider world, Mr O’Neill said, with increasing terror attacks, there must be no complacency about evil.

In the region, he highlighted the role PNG has played recently in encouraging Fiji to return to democracy, and its support for Melanesians in New Caledonia.

And then he turned to the tricky issue of Indonesian West Papua, and signalled a change of approach.

PETER O’NEILL: Sometimes we forget our own families, our own brothers, especially those in West Papua.

(applause)

I think, as a country, time has come for us to speak about the oppression of our people there.

(applause)

JEMIMA GARRETT: Apart from Vanuatu, governments in the Pacific have been slow to speak out on human rights abuses in West Papua, especially after Fiji was instrumental in getting Indonesia admitted as an observer at the Melanesian Spearhead Group of nations.

With the increasing penetration of social media, Pacific voters have become more vocal about the failure of their governments to act.

Mr O’Neill has taken note.

PETER O’NEILL: Pictures of brutality of our people appear daily on the social media, and yet we take no notice.

We have the moral obligation to speak for those who are not allowed to talk. We must be the eyes for those who are blindfolded. Again, Papua New Guinea is a regional leader.

We must take the lead in having mature discussions with our friends in a more solid and engaging manner.

JEMIMA GARRETT: On Friday, the United Liberation Movement of West Papua will submit an application for full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group. Grassroots campaigners are urging their governments to support their Melanesian brothers.

Indonesia will oppose the move, but with the Kanak Liberation Movement from New Caledonia already a full member, there is a precedent.

The MSG leaders are expected to meet to make a decision in the middle of the year.

MARK COLVIN: Jemima Garrett.

February 5, 2015 0