MSG nations say they feel for West Papua

THE MELANESIA Spearhead Group feels for their brothers and sisters in West Papua, says MSG Foreign Ministers chairman, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, Fiji’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

But he refuted claims that the MSG had received a request for full membership from the Australia West Papua Association.

“We are all Melanesians but I can confirm that the MSG has not received anything in writing calling for West Papua’s inclusion as a full member.

“We will wait for other leaders and should anything come up, the leaders will discuss on it,” Ratu Kubuabola said.

“As far as the MSG is concerned the issue was mere speculation by the media.”

Media reports covered by PNG Attitude said an NGO, the Australia West Papua Association, had written an open letter to the Melanesian Spearhead Group calling for full membership of the agency to be extended to the people of the Papua region of Indonesia.

The MSG includes PNG, Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands and the Kanak grouping from New Caledonia.

Source: Fiji Ministry of Information

Comments

[Carl Okuk]

If such an open letter has indeed been written to the MSG their response shall be most interesting.

MSG members have snubbed Australia and New Zealand by embracing Fiji and pronouncing that this was the Melanesian way.

Now we shall see where this ‘Melanesian way’ is when the West Papuans seek recognition from their Melanesian brothers.

You cannot pick and choose where and when to be a Melanesian. Turning your back on your brother is one of the most un-Melanesian things I can think of.