Likely Indonesia out, West Papua in

By Godwin Ligo

Vanuatu r, Moana Carcasses, 

holding the West Papua Freedom flag flanked 

by the West Papuan delegation (photo dailyVU)

 

If Vanuatu national leaders, and some top brass in the opposition, mean what they say of the support to the West Papuan cause, towards self-determination, Indonesia will likely be voted out, and West Papua will be voted in, as observer to the Melanesian Spearhead group at June 2013 MSG Meeting in New Caledonia.

On Wednesday last week, Vanuatu Prime Minister Moana Carcasses assured a West Papua delegation during a meeting in his office that he will support West Papua request to grant and admit West Papua as an observer status in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) Meeting at Noumea in June.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Ham Lini already pledged his support in the last government to move for Indonesia to be stripped off the MSG Status and West Papua to be granted the MSG Observer status.

The current Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nipake Natapei also already publicly made his views clear on his stand on the issue. He told Daily Post two weeks ago that he will support West Papua to obtain MSG observer status in the upcoming June MSG Meeting in Noumea New Caledonia.

The Shefa Provincial Government came out loud and clear also supporting West Papuan cause.

Even the Pacific Conference of Churches’ recent Assembly in Honiara, Solomon Islands, was very vocal on the issue and declared it to the regional political and civic leaders as well as to the world that it supports the cry of the West Papua Melanesians.

The Chiefs in Vanuatu have, on a number of occasions called on Vanuatu governments to take up the issue of West Papua in the regional and international forums to pressure Jakarta to hand West Papua Melanesians their political freedom- and to stop the killings of the Melanesians in West Papua by the Indonesian military forces, as alleged in numerous media and independent reports around the region and beyond.

Then there’s the question of which side of the fence will the other MSG members are likely to support.

On March 6, 2013, Papua New Guinea National Capital District Governor, Powes Parkop, told West Papuan, Benny Wenda, at a concert in Port Moresby before a crowd of 3,000 people that: “There is no historical, religious, or moral justification for Indonesia’s occupation of West Papua.” 

Civil Society groups and activists in Melanesian countries have come out loud and clear on the issue- for Indonesia military to stop killing West Papuans and for the MSG Leaders to dispose Indonesia from MSG Observer status and accept West Papua instead.

While Daily Post could not get comment from the MSG Headquarters in Port Vila on the issue, DP understands that the issue of removing Indonesia from the MSG observer status and handing over the status to West Papua is likely to be high on the agenda.

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MSG chairmanship transition coincides with momentum for West Papua membership

The spokesperson for New Caledonia’s Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front, Victor Tutugoro has been elected to be the next Melanesian Spearhead Group chairman.

He will hold the role for two years from June when New Caledonia hosts the MSG Leaders Summit.

Johnny Blades reports that the summit coincides with a major drive to help the self-determination aspirations of Melanesian peoples not yet independent, notably West Papuans:

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Furthering the Kanak bid for independence from France was a core reason for the inception of the MSG twenty-five years ago.

MSG commitment to this cause may have veered off course in the intervening years, but it’s sharply returning to focus with the change of chairmanship and the fact that the four-year window for a possible referendum on New Caledonia’s independence as provided by the Noumea Accord begins next year.

Adding to the momentum, the former Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare recently warned that if the MSG cannot help fulfill the Kanak political aspirations, then ’it risks the danger of losing its existence’.

However Sir Michael has implored the MSG Secretariat to ’exercise caution and patience’ in dealing with the other big Melanesian self-determination issue, that of West Papua.

The West Papua National Coalition for Liberation recently lodged a formal application for full MSG membership and the summit is expected to feature a formal response.

There are signs that after years on the outer, encompassing the controversial granting of MSG observer status to Indonesia, the West Papuans’ time to join the club may have arrived.

Vanuatu’s new Prime Minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil says his government will push for West Papua to be granted full MSG membership

    “It’s about time to recognise that the West Papua struggle, someone has to do something about it. We cannot just close our eyes and deny, say that there is nothing happening over there, because there are many human rights issues happening over there. We want West Papua to be a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group - this is something that we’re going to lobby for.”

The West Papua National Coalition for Liberation has been lobbying Melanesian leaders over the membership matter, including a visit to Fiji to talk with the current MSG chairman, Commodore Frank Bainimarama.

An advisor to the Coalition is the former Vanuatu Prime Minister Barak Sope who was impressed by the willingness of Fiji’s Prime Minister to pursue the matter.

    “He is in a position to put it to the other heads of government. When I spoke last time (to RNZI on the matter), I was critical of Bainimarama and others because of Indonesia coming in to the MSG. But with their position this time, they’ve said ok, the West Papua case - after following the (application) procedure - it’ll now be considered by the MSG, it’s up to the MSG leaders to decide.”

The Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Clay Forau says his government is expecting an approach by the coalition, but has indicated his country will give its support.

    “I think that’s the way we’re going now, helping our other friends in their fight for self-determination. You’re aware that we also co-sponsored a UN resolution for French Polynesia’s inscription on the decolonisation list.”

While Sir Michael Somare says dialogue and extensive consultation should underlie the MSG approach on the West Papua issue, it’s clear that the new generation of Melanesian leaders emerging is less willing than him to defer to the issue as purely an Indo domestic matter for Indonesia.

Membership in the MSG for West Papua is no certainty, but FLNKS chairmanship of the MSG is - both would give significant momentum to the decolonisation process in the region.

News Content © Radio New Zealand International
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Vanuatu may severe ties with Indonesia over West Papua

ByRicky Binihi

Onews,-- Vanuatu’s next government, if a motion of not trust against PM Sato Kilman succeeds in Parliament, will work more with the people of West Papua and Vanuatu could cut diplomatic relations with Indonesia.

That was the message the dignitaries and sympathizers of the West Papua cause heard when the Morning Star flag was hoisted at Vete’s Headquarters in Port Vila to commemorate West Papua’s Independence since 1961.

Former Head of State Mr Kalkot Matas Kelekele, Melanesian Progressive Party President and former Vanuatu Prime Minister, Barak Sope, the President of the Graon and Jastis Party MP Ralph Regenvanu, former Foreign Affairs Ministers MP Joe Natuman, MPP Malekula MP Sai Esmon, Dr John Ondawame, West Papua outspoken leader Andy Ayamiseba, and members of the Vete hierarchy were all present on December 1.

Former President Matas Kelekele who reportedly told the President of Indonesia he still prayed for the Melanesians in West Papua said “colonization by the Indonesians of West Papua is a sin.”

Vanuatu former PM Sope said the MPP does not recognize West Papua as part of Indonesia and it will never do so and that “the struggle for West Papua must continue because victory is certain.”

Former Foreign Affairs Minister Natuman said the relations between Jakarta and Port Vila must be “terminated” because he alleged that in the past two years Indonesia has provided funds to individual Vanuatu politicians and not the Nation.

Four government backbenchers moved to join the Opposition that Friday so when GJP President MP Regenvanu took the stage on Sunday he said the government that will be elected on December 10 will ensure that West Papua becomes a priority. 

Members at the ceremony that was organized by former MP David Abel and Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr Alul Ravue heard that after the 51 years of struggle 600, 000 West Papuas have died and 7 Million Indonesians have migrated to West Papua and have diluted the cause for Independence of West Papua is coming.

Mr Shem Rarua who has been mandated by the West Papuan Council to speak at the occasion announced that they have now decided to register West Papua cause to the International Court of Justice in Hague and they are confident Vanuatu’s brothers and sisters of West Papua will be free.

Sumber: http://www.dailypost.vu/content/vanuatu-may-severe-ties-indonesia-over-west-papua

 

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Jailed by Indonesia but still campaigning for freedom

By. Len Garae 

 

Otto Odokwame, Benny Wenda, Andi Amiseba in PNG

Benny Wenda had tears in his eyes when he sang a song he composed while his hands were tied behind his back for two weeks in a dark, stinking, notorious Indonesian jail.

It was a song of freedom.

Wenda did not beat about the bush when he stated that Indonesia should have asked for permission from West Papua to request Observer Status at the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

This dedicated highlander, tribal leader and former political prisoner escapee, is a global campaigner for the Freedom of the people of West Papua from Indonesian occupation.

The London-based tribal leader made the statement at a press conference in the Chief’s Nakamal yesterday. Wenda was asked his view of the answer to a question the writer of his article had put to the Indonesian Ambassador to Vanuatu, Nadjib Riphat Kesoema at a press conference two weeks ago.

The question was how he felt about the fact that his country has been granted Observer Status at MSG while West Papua is seeking full membership of the Melanesian Organisation.

While the Indonesian Ambassador had replied that West Papua should have asked permission from Indonesia to seek full membership of MSG, Wenda said West Papua is a natural part of Melanesia and the most logical approach for Indonesia to take should have been for Jakarta to ask permission from West Papua to seek Observer Status at MSG.

His prompt answer triggered instant smiles on faces within the audience and hand clapping during the press conference.

Wenda hails from the Dani Tribe in the Highlands of West Papua and grew up in his village. But he explained, “My village was bombed by the Indonesian military when I was a child and many members of my family were killed. Later I began to campaign for a Free West Papua. For the ‘crime’ of helping to lead a peaceful movement for independence, I was arrested, imprisoned and tortured by Indonesian soldiers. They threatened to kill me, but I escaped to the UK.

“Many of my friends and family back in West Papua have been killed, raped or tortured. Life is hard for them. All we are asking for is the freedom that you enjoy every day – the freedom to speak your mind, to choose your government and to live without fear of persecution. Please hear my peoples’ cry for help”.

Wenda said the people of West Papua hold Vanuatu in high esteem because to them, Vanuatu is their beacon of hope in their 50 years of suffering under the yoke of a cruel, inhumane Indonesian military.

While a number of groups have been formed beside OPM in the struggle for freedom in West Papua and there are internal differences, Wenda said the fact remains and that is that they all operate under the one Morning Star Flag and they are all for the Freedom of West Papua.

He said his tribe is the biggest tribe in West Papua with a total population of approximately 500, 000 people. 

While acknowledging the committed roles played by his Vanuatu-based colleagues Andy Ayamiseba and Dr John Ondawame in the struggle for the freedom of their people and country, he said his people from the highlands are the most energetic lot when it comes to standing up for their rights to be a Free People.

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West Papuan Independence leader to visit Vanuatu

 By. Glenda Shing 

Benny Wenda

West Papuan tribal leader and international lobbyist for the independence of West Papua from Indonesia, Benny Wenda, is scheduled to arrive in Port Vila tomorrow.

The Free West Papuan activist is expected to stay in Port Vila for a week, and according to the program drafted for the occasion, upon the arrival of Wenda tomorrow afternoon, Vanuatu Kastom Chiefs will be at the airport to welcome him. Later on, an official welcome ceremony organised by the Port Vila Town Council of Chiefs will be held at the Chief’s Nakamal.

On Monday, the West Papuan Independence leader is scheduled to meet with the Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC), and will be the special Guest in a Press Conference organised by Media Association of Vanuatu (MAV) in the afternoon.

On Tuesday morning, the Founder of the Free West Papuan Campaign will make an official visit to VANGO. Members of the Public will have the opportunity to voice their concerns over the West Papuan independence issues, and again, Wenda will be the special Guest, held at the Chief’s Nakamal 4pm, Tuesday.

Wenda will also have the opportunity to tour Port Vila organised and led by Vete Indigenous Historical Association (VIHA) on Wednesday morning.

In June 2010, Vanuatu’s Parliament voted to support West Papua’s indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination, seeking to have its independence noted and observer status granted at the Melanesian Spearhead Group and Pacific Island Forum leaders’ summit meeting.

Radio Australia reported that, Melbourne representative of the Free West Papua Movement, Ronny Kerani specifically named Vanuatu being one of the countries to have pushed the issue of Papuan independence to the United Nations, and labeled Vanuatu as one country that had gone “behind closed doors” with Indonesia.

A farewell gathering is to be hosted by VIHA on Wednesday evening and Wenda will depart from Vanuatu on Thursday morning.

A leading figure in the region’s independence movement, Benny Wenda served as a special representative to both the British Parliament and the United Nations. He was detained in 2002 by the Indonesian government on accusations of inciting violence and arson, but escaped during his trial and was granted political asylum in the United Kingdom. 

After arriving in the UK, Wenda founded the Free West Papua Campaign to spread awareness of the human rights situation in West Papua.

 Source News: http://www.dailypost.vu/news.html

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