VANUATU: MSG to discuss observer status for WPapua
Updated
The Melanesian Spearhead Group - or MSG - will discuss granting West Papua observer status at a meeting in the next few weeks in Port Vila.The Australia West Papua Association and the Free Papua Movement based in Port Vila are behind the proposal.
Presenter: Barbara Heggen
Speakers: Associate Professor Richard Chauvel, Victoria University
HEGGEN: The four member countries of the Melanesian Spearhead Group are Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. In an open letter to leaders of the group the Australian-West Papua Association has called for observer status to be granted to Melanesian people of West Papua.
Spokesman Jo Collins, says one of the spearhead groups found in principles is to assist Melanesian states that are not yet free and points out that the group has granted similar status to the people of Kanaki the FLNK.
COLLINS: The Kanak people of New Caledonia or Kanaki as they call it, have been granted observer status at the MSG and surely that is French colony, so if the Melanesian people of a French colony can't be granted observer status, surely it's time that the Melanesian people of West Papua can chill.
HEGGEN: So far, the only member country to indicate support for the proposal is Vanuatu.
Foreign Minister, George Wells, has been reported as saying that the idea is viable and that there should be no problem with granting West Papuans observer status.
Andy Ayamiseba, spokeman for the Free Papuan Movement based in Port Vila, says he's confident that Vanuatu will pursue the issue with other member countries.
DESEMBO: Oh I think Vanuatu since becoming independent has been seen as very vocal on ........ ??? issues and always been leader in an independent issue in the Pacific. So I think Vanuatu position will be taken seriously by other countries in the region. I cannot confirm now, but I think for this first to be taken in a debate, it's quite good to see a member country to take up the issue is very, very good for us. It's very achievable.
HEGGEN: Getting unofficial support from other member countries may certainly be possible, but getting official support is another matter.
Representatives from the Fijian and Papua New Guinean governments were all unavailable for comment and a spokesman for the Solomon Islands Government says the issue will be discussed over the next few days.
Associate Professor Richard Chauvel, is an Australian academic well versed in Indonesian, Papuan politics. He's not at all convinced that these countries will officially support granting West Papuans observer status.
CHAUVEL: Whatever views Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders may have privately. As we know, many of them are very dependent on Australian support. The governments dependent on Australian support and Australia has been very keen in maintaining its support for Indonesia's territorial integrity. In other words, West Papua remaining part of Indonesia and so we've over a very long period of time Australian governments of both political persuasions have endeavoured to exercise influence and governments in South Pacific to limit their support for West Papua interests.
