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

June 27, 2015 0

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

June 26, 2015 0

Official Announcement by the Prime Minister on the 18th June 2015

PM on West Papua

Hon Manasseh. D. Sogavare MP and Octovianus Motte

I hereby make this official announcement on behalf of the Sovereign State of Solomon Islands on the application by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) for Membership of the Melanesia Spearhead Group (MSG).

The Cabinet, in exercising its decision-making mandate on behalf of the people of Solomon Islands, agreed that:

Solomon Islands Government will vote to bring the ULMWP into the MSG on Observer Status.
Solomon Islands Government will encourage MSG to continue to explore avenues for Indonesia in its interest to be an Associated Member within the guidelines approved by Leaders in 2012.
Solomon Islands Government will engage with all MSG stakeholders in communicating the above positions.

The above mentioned positions had been made in light of the need to enhance Melanesian solidarity, values, continuity and maintain good neighbourliness.

Geopolitics and international commerce aside, these resolutions are founded on Christian principles which form the bedrock of our National Constitution. They also recognise the need to create international space for Melanesians seeking the inalienable rights and freedoms they sought to achieve through peaceful co-existence.

Hon Manasseh. D. Sogavare MP

June 18, 2015 0

Arkilaus Baho: Selamat! Papua di Terima Sebagai Anggota MSG

Kompasiana.com – Selamat kepada West Papua National Coalition for Liberation (WPNCL) yang telah bersusah payah meyakinkan anggota Melanesian Sperhead Grub untuk menerima tawaran. secara resmi diterima oleh MSG. Namun status yang diminta oleh WPNCL dalam aplikasinya akan ditentukan dalam enam bulan kedepan.

Hasil KTT ke-19, dimulai pada tanggal 18 Juni 2013 dan puncaknya pada tanggal 20-21, diantaranya; MENYETUJUI: bahwa MSG sepenuhnya mendukung hak-hak asasi rakyat Papua Barat terhadap penentuan nasib sendiri sebagaimana ditetapkan dalam mukadimah konstitusi MSG. MENYETUJUI: bahwa kekhawatiran MSG mengenai pelanggaran hak asasi manusia dan bentuk lain yang berkaitan dengan kekejaman terhadap Masyarakat Papua Barat akan diajukan bersama dengan pemerintah Indonesia secara bilateral maupun sebagai kelompok. MENCATAT bahwa aplikasi dari WPNCL untuk menjadi anggota MSG telah diterima dan aplikasi akan ditinjau setelah pengajuan laporan FMM, dan MENYETUJUI: roadmap seperti yang direkomendasikan oleh FMM mencakup: a) bahwa MSG mengirim misi menteri luar negeri di tingkat FMM yang dipimpin oleh Menteri Luar Negeri Fiji ke Jakarta dan kemudian ke Papua Barat pada tahun 2013 dan menerima undangan dari pemerintah Indonesia. b) misi menteri luar negeri ini akan menyajikaN laporannya kepada para pemimpin msg pada kesempatan pertama dalam enam bulan ke depan. c. WPNCL akan diberitahu secara resmi tentang keputusan para pemimpin MSG mengenai aplikasinya, dan d. misi akan menjadi bagian dalam proses menentukan aplikasi keanggotaan WPNCL.

Komunike ini ditandatangani oleh kelima pemimpin negara-negara Melanesia, masing-masing Victor Tutugoro (FLNKS), Veroqe Bainimarama (Fiji), Leon Dion (Papua New Guinea), Gordon Darcy Lilo (Kepulauan Solomon) dan Moana Carcassas Kalosil (Vanuatu). Penandatangan ini dilakukan di Escapade Resort, Noumea, 21 Juni 2013.

Pemerintah Indonesia pun tak terlalu merisaukan keanggotaan Papua Barat pada forum MSG. Wakil Menteri Luar Negeri Indonesia, Wisnuwardhana yang memimpin delegasi Indonesia dalam MSG Summit di Noumea, Kaledonia Baru mengakui bahwa rumpun bangsa Melanesia di Indonesia tersebar di lima provinsi dari 34 provinsi di Indonesia. Masing-masing provinsi tersebut adalah Papua, Papua Barat, Maluku, Maluku Utara dan Nusa Tenggara Timur. Wilayah lima provinsi ini mencapai sepertiga dari seluruh wilayah Indonesia. Berdasarkan sensus penduduk tahun 2010, ada sekitar 11 juta penduduk yang mewakili suku bangsa Melanesia di Indonesia. Mereka ada di lima provinsi di Indonesia, yakni Papua, Papua Barat, Maluku, Maluku Utara dan Nusa Tenggara Timur yang mencakup sepertiga wilayah Indonesia.” kata Wisnuwhardana dalam pernyataan pemerintah Indonesia dihadapan sesi pleno MSG Summit, 21/06.

Kenyataan ini, menurut wakil Menteri Luar negeri Indonesia ini, menjadikan hubungan Indonesia dengan Melanesia Spearhead Group (MSG) harus dipererat dan terus ditingkatkan. Salah satu caranya adalah dengan mempersilahkan para Menteri Luar Negeri negara-negara MSG untuk datang ke Indonesia. Untuk memperkuat hubungan Indonesia dengan MSG, Indonesia mempersilahkan para Menteri Luar negeri MSG datang ke Indonesia. Untuk bertukar pengalaman dan memberikan kesempatan untuk melihat dan memahami dengan baik tentang pembangunan di Indonesia, termasuk Papua dan papua Barat.” kata Wisnuwardhana.

MSG juga memastikan sebuah referendum bagi rakyat Kaledonia. Presiden Kaledonia Baru, Harold Marthin, dalam sambutannya pada acara pembukaan Melanesia Sparehead Group mengatakan pada awalnya, tidak semua rakyat Kaledonia Baru setuju untuk bergabung dalam MSG karena sejarah persaingan di Pasifik, yang mengakibatkan adanya rivalitas pada kelompok masyarakat Melanesia. Namun mereka bekerja keras untuk meninggalkan trauma sejarah itu.

Pada tahun 2014 nanti rakyat Kaledonia baru akan mengadakan referendum untuk menentukan nasib mereka sendiri. Apakah rakyat Kaledonia Baru akan tetap menjadi bagian dari Perancis atau berdiri sebagai sebuah negara independen, akan ditentukan oleh referendum tersebut.

Mr. Harold Marthin menambahkan, dirinya bersama pimpinan FLNKS, organisasi yang memotori permintaan referendum Kanaky menyambut kedatangan para pemimpin negara Melanesia, untuk menunjukkan bahwa tidak ada ketegangan atau upaya untuk menghambat hubungan antara sesama komunitas Melanesia demi kemakmuran rakyat Melanesia. Saya yakinkan pada anda semua, para pemimpin bahwa rakyat Kaledonia Baru memiliki pandangan positif dari tindakan pemerintah Kaledonia Baru bersama FLNKS.

Prestasi MSG dibawah kepemimpinan lama, menurut ketua MSG yang juga perdana mentri negara Fiji Commodore Frank Bainimarama mengatakan, selama masa kepemimpinannya dia telah meletakkan dasar dasar perubahan bagi negara Melanesia. Meletakkan dasar untuk pasukan pemelihara perdamaian regional Melanesia adalah salah satu prestasi puncak MSG di bawah pimpinan dua tahun nya. Secara resmi menyerahkan kepemimpinan kepada juru bicara Kaledonia Baru dari gerakan FLNKS, Victor Tutugoro, pada KTT para pemimpin MSG 19 di Noumea.

The Commodore mengatakan MSG telah berbuat banyak untuk bisa dibanggakan dalam beberapa tahun terakhir. “Prestasi nyata telah dibuat dalam bidang kerjasama kepabeanan dan biosekuriti, perikanan dan pelestarian budaya. Kami telah berkomitmen untuk kerjasama regional antara lembaga penegak hukum untuk mengatasi kejahatan transnasional, departemen operasi penjaga perdamaian telah dibentuk di sekretariat MSG untuk membantu membentuk unit penjaga perdamaian MSG. Frank Bainimarama mengatakan masih banyak tantangan untuk MSG untuk mengatasi dan bahwa laporan oleh Eminent Persons Group akan membantu memetakan arah masa depan MSG. Selamat

Di Sunting dari laporan jurnalis Papua, Pasifik dan Delegasi WPNCL

June 27, 2013 0