Melanesia rejects West Papua bid & elevates Indonesia
26 June 2015
RADIO NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL
THE Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) has knocked back West Papua's bid to become a full member of the group while elevating Indonesia's status.
In a statement, Papua New Guinea's prime minister Peter O'Neill says the United Liberation Movement for West Papua will be given observer status as a "development partner representing the welfare of Melanesian people living outside."
Mr O'Neill says the decision reaffirms that representation at the sub-regional level must be made by mandated leaders elected by their people.
The ULMWP had hoped to follow in the footsteps of New Caledonia's FLNKS in obtaining full MSG membership without being a sovereign government, thus giving it its first recognition in an international forum.
But Indonesia has embarked on a diplomatic push in the region in recent months, trying to prevent the West Papua bid and to elevate its status in the MSG.
Jakarta's outreach has been successful, with Indonesia being elevated from observer status to that of an associate.
It will be represented by the elected leaders of the Asian country's five provinces with significant traces of Melanesian stock.
Mr O'Neill says this decision will pave the way for consultation between PNG and Indonesia, saying he believes the MSG has Jakarta's respect for the honesty and nature of its offer of cooperation over the sensitive issue of Papua.
Melanesian leaders are stupid, they cannot stand up to bullies such as Australia and Indonesia and speak for their kind. What a shame!
Posted by: Kirine Yandit | 01 July 2015 at 12:05 PM
Peter O'Neill, you must have rocks in your head to "Not see the truth regarding the our neighbours, the West Papuans fighting a never ending battle for humanity sake!"... I am gutted by the way you carrying on with the Indonesians.
Posted by: Martina Apps | 29 June 2015 at 10:38 PM
Our nation of West Papua wants to gather with our family .... please our Melanesian brothers...
Posted by: Rey Oheifa | 26 June 2015 at 06:32 PM
It is indeed a sad day for the Melanesians.
For me personally I have been praying morning and day leading up to the MSG meet yesterday that Indonesia will not be allowed to be a member.
Now, I am weak to the bone-marrows.
Posted by: Kela Kapkora Sil Bolkin | 26 June 2015 at 11:56 AM
Waste of time thinking about Melanesia when we are all fools and insane cowards who do not have a heart for our kind.
Posted by: Leonard Fong Roka | 26 June 2015 at 10:31 AM
Peter O'Neill, you surely know that those mandated leaders you are referring to are puppets. Shame!
Posted by: Jack Klomes | 26 June 2015 at 10:07 AM
Melanesians were hunters and gatherers. They used to use nets and holes in the ground to trap their wallabies and wild boars on the savannah plains of Port Moresby.
Posted by: Daniel Ipan Kumbon | 26 June 2015 at 08:29 AM