2) Indonesia in West Papua
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1) Vanuatu PM urges MSG to stay true to founding principles
Following the move by the Melanesian Spearhead Group to defer a decision on the United Liberation Movement for West Papua's application to become full members, Vanuatu's prime minister Charlot Salwai says there is a need for membership criteria to be developed which better reflects the group's founding principles.
TRANSCRIPT
Leaders of Melanesian Spearhead Group gather for a meeting in Noumea, June 2013. Photo: RNZI / Johnny Blades
Vanuatu's prime minister says the Melanesian Spearhead Group should stay true to its founding principles on the question of membership in the group for West Papuans.
At this month's Honiara summit, amid intense lobbying by Indonesia, MSG leaders deferred a decision on the United Liberation Movement for West Papua's application to become full members while adequate membership criteria is developed.
There is divergence between some of the leaders on whether the full membership of New Caledonia's FLNKS Kanak movement, sets a precedent for the West Papuans to have full membership.
Charlot Salwai told Johnny Blades that since last year membership criteria was developed which did not reflect the MSG's founding principles.
CHARLOT SALWAI: So that is the reason why we decided not to accept the criteria that was presented for further amendments and we asked the secretariat and the committee to come up with a new criteria that could reflect the fundamental principles of the MSG. Which in the beginning was political and the criteria should reflect political aspiration and the principles of international laws. Because the one that was presented last time it looks like it tends to select financial members. And maybe turn more for trade relationships than MSG its original purpose was political to get Melanesia free from the colonisation, especially for those who are fighting for their self-determination and decolonisation, which is related also to the human rights. That is the reason why we call another meeting and we request the committee to come up with some new criteria that would reflect the original spirit of setting up the MSG.
JOHNNY BLADES: Has the criteria changed at some point since the beginning? Because we know the FLNKS...
CS: Yes that is the issue that, why are we changing the criteria now while the FLNKS is already inside the (MSG). One of the (new proposed) criteria is talking about the state, Melanesian state to become part of the MSG. But the FLNKS is not a state it is a political party as well as the ULMWP (United Liberation Movement For West Papua) So we request that the committee reconsider the criteria that have been submitted to Honiara and the MSG should look at on this special summit that should be held from now to the end of September.
JB: I asked (PNG Foreign Minister) Rimbink Pato about this, what was the difference between the ULMWP and the FLNKS. And he said well, the FLNKS was there from the beginning and they are different because they have a process in place towards decolonisation possibly, you know under the UN. He says that the West Papuans don't have that and the FLNKS are different.
CS: Vanuatu believes that the MSG was set up as Vanuatu was in the very beginning very instrumental in this organisation, and it was to get the whole of Melanesia free from decolonisation that is the idea to set up the MSG.
JB: So are you disappointed with how it has turned out so far or do you think there is still, there is still chance to remedy this?
CS: Well not really to be disappointed, but I think I am disappointed on the way that how the criteria has been drafted which tends to address more the financial situation of the organisation than the original objective of the organisation which was the political objective of the organisation.
JB: Who has been changing it? Is this members or secretariat?
CS: Well a committee has been appointed by the Honiara meeting last year 2015 and the proposal was submitted to this year's MSG meeting which, as I said, we checked it, subject to review to be presented in the coming special sitting, special meeting of the MSG in Port Vila.
JB: Why is it important for the region to accept West Papua into the framework?
CS: Well I think everyone knows what is happening in West Papua, with the people in West Papua. The issue with Human Rights as well as it is part of Melanesia and I think it is the duty of the organisation, the MSG, to support them.
JB: You know, this is a very divisive issue. Do you think the MSG will find a way through or will the outside influences maybe threaten the unity over this issue?
CS: Well the MSG is very important for Melanesian countries, it is a unique organisation for Melanesia, and I believe with the Melanesian spirit we will continue to maintain the solidarity. But we have to understand and find a way to support our brothers of Melanesia to get what we want. We want self determination so why are we supporting FLNKS and not supporting ULMWP? If we believe in Melanesian culture we should not turn away, (we should) continue to unite, because the benefit of having the MSG is huge for Melanesian countries.
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http://www.solomonstarnews.com/viewpoint/letters-to-the-editor/11232-indonesia-in-west-papua
Solomon Star
2) Indonesia in West Papua
Dear Editor – I note that in the two opinion pieces in your paper by Indonesian diplomats at the Indonesian Embassies in Canberra and Brussel, they seem to try the blame the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) for all their problems on the issue of West Papua instead of looking at Jakarta's policies in the territory.
In an opinion piece “Is MSG a strong or sick man of the Pacific?” the spokesperson from the Indonesian Embassy in Canberra wrote that the ULMWP “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 four million residents”.
However, anybody concerned about the grave human rights situation in West Papua would realise that Sade Bimantara is wrong on many of his statements.
One only has to be aware of the issue to know that the ULMWP represents the majority of West Papuans both inside and outside of the territory and not just those “voices of overseas Papuans” as he states.
In the large number of rallies that took place in the past months in West Papua many of the banners carried by the Papuans stated “we support ULMWP to become the full member of MSG” and similar statements.
Another point Mr Bimantara should ponder is why after 53 years of Indonesian administration West Papuans are still marching in the streets risking arrest and torture to bring to the world’s attention the injustices they suffer under Indonesian rule?
A total failure on the part of Jakarta to win over the West Papuan people.
In fact, even as the MSG Summit was taking place in Honiara more arrests were occurring at rallies in West Papua which had been called in a show of support for the ULMWP’s application for full membership.
Since May of this year over 3000 Papuans have been arrested in peaceful rallies by the Indonesian security forces who seem to have great difficulty in grasping the principles laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states, everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
(Article 19) and everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association (Article 20).
Although it must be disappointing for Papuans that the decision on full membership was postponed till another MSG leaders meeting in September in Vanuatu, there is no doubt the tide of history flows in West Papua's favour.
Joe Collins
Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
However, anybody concerned about the grave human rights situation in West Papua would realise that Sade Bimantara is wrong on many of his statements.
One only has to be aware of the issue to know that the ULMWP represents the majority of West Papuans both inside and outside of the territory and not just those “voices of overseas Papuans” as he states.
In the large number of rallies that took place in the past months in West Papua many of the banners carried by the Papuans stated “we support ULMWP to become the full member of MSG” and similar statements.
Another point Mr Bimantara should ponder is why after 53 years of Indonesian administration West Papuans are still marching in the streets risking arrest and torture to bring to the world’s attention the injustices they suffer under Indonesian rule?
A total failure on the part of Jakarta to win over the West Papuan people.
In fact, even as the MSG Summit was taking place in Honiara more arrests were occurring at rallies in West Papua which had been called in a show of support for the ULMWP’s application for full membership.
Since May of this year over 3000 Papuans have been arrested in peaceful rallies by the Indonesian security forces who seem to have great difficulty in grasping the principles laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states, everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
(Article 19) and everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association (Article 20).
Although it must be disappointing for Papuans that the decision on full membership was postponed till another MSG leaders meeting in September in Vanuatu, there is no doubt the tide of history flows in West Papua's favour.
Joe Collins
Australia West Papua Association (Sydney)
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