MSG meets to seek answers from delegation

The Melanesian Spearhead Group heads into further talks this month to seek more answers from the MSG mission that failed to meet indigenous West Papuan leaders in West Papua last month.

Whilst new MSG chairman Victor Tutugoro who is also spokesperson for the Front de Libération Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) in New Caledonia has not revealed the agenda he has called for the meeting days after the delegation returned from the mission.

Tutugoro says the meeting will take place in Port Vila in the middle of this month (February).

The MSG delegation to Indonesia was represented by Fiji’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola; Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Rimbink Pato; Solomon Islands Foreign Affairs Minister, Soalaoi Clay Forau; and FLNKS representative, Yvonne Faua.

Vanuatu’s foreign minister, Edward Natapei, withdrew from the mission because the itinerary excluded meetings with groups concerned about alleged human rights abuses in West Papua.

West Papua snub

West Papuan leaders have expressed disappointment towards the apparent snub from the MSG mission.

What had begun as a desire to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), as per their request at the MSG summit in Noumea last year, was snuffed out by Indonesia’s refusal to let the MSG leaders meet indigenous West Papuan leaders last month.

It looks like attempts to accommodate West Papua’s request to join the MSG club may look remote.

The West Papua National Council for Liberation was invited to the MSG summit in Noumea last year where they sought to become a member of the MSG.

However, it seems economic development and bilateral ties took precedence over the MSG membership and other concerns of West Papuans.

A group of West Papuan protestors staged a small but aggressive protest on January 16, at the hotel where MSG leaders were staying.

West Papuan Kilion Wenda sent ISLANDS BUSINESS youtube links of the protests showing them shouting down the motorcade of Melanesian leaders.

The MSG leaders were stopped by a group of 20 West Papuan protestors at the entrance of Borobudur Hotel in Jakarta where the MSG leaders were staying.

Hotel security personnel, some armed with iron baseball bats tried to ward off the protestors with little effect.

“The protestors shouted at the MSG delegation and the Indonesian officials raising their concerns at the failure of the delegation to meet West Papuan leaders,” Wenda said.

All eyes are now on the upcoming MSG meeting where the West Papuans are hoping they will get another chance to present their case to the MSG.

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