SUVA (ULMWP/Pacific Media Watch): The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) looks forward to a positive progress from the recent Pacific Forum leaders’ decision on West Papua and has called on current chair PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neil to "negotiate justly".
ULMWP said in a statement it saw only two possible outcomes and that either Indonesia refused the request of Pacific leaders, or it agreed to begin a difficult process that included terms and condition for the fact-finding mission.
ULMWP spokesperson Benny Wenda said O'Neill played a vital role as chair of the forum and must begin negotiations with Indonesia for a fact-finding mission.
"PNG has a lot of bilateral, economic and trade interests with Indonesia, and it must not confuse its position as per the leaders’ decision. PNG has a moral responsibility to seeking a just resolution on behalf of our leaders and people of the Pacific,” said Wenda.
He stressed the importance of having a just and independent fact-finding mission, with the hopes that a similar fact-finding mission that was undertaken by the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) leaders could learn from those mistakes to ensure they were not repeated.
"We hope that the mission includes independent candidates from all sectors of society."
Wenda said ULMWP welcomed the outcomes of the 46th Pacific Island Leaders Forum, but had cautioned Pacific leaders to ensure a fact-finding mission took place.
“Solidarity support from the Pacific and globally have heard the cries from West Papua, and we thank our people who continue to support us. We appeal to our people to continue to hold their respective governments to account and lobby our leaders to support our quest for an independent fact finding mission, and also at the United Nations to be listed on the Decolonisation List and for the UN to appoint a Special Envoy for West Papua."
He said it was the will of Pacific people that had brought the issue of West Papua before Pacific leaders and "all gratitude goes to the voices of our people".
"The ULMWP would like to thank the government and people of the Solomon Islands for championing the issue of West Papua at the forum, especially the Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare and the Special Envoy on West Papua, Mr Mathew Wale. We also thank the Tongan Prime Minister, 'Akilisi Pohiva, for demonstrating true Pacific solidarity by speaking up for West Papua," said Wenda.
“Looking back at previous Leaders commitments on the West Papua issue and the current support from the Solomon Islands and Tonga, this PIF decision is historical in driving the agenda forward."
Wenda said the next step was the United Nations and he appealed to all leaders in the Pacific to support the quest of the Solomon Islands government.
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