A former Indonesian President, Abdul Rahman Wahid, has promised to give Papuans a referendum on independence if he wins next year's general elections.
Mr Wahid made the comment in South Korea where he is attending a World Summit on Leadership and Governance.
A Papua New Guinea newspaper, the National, quotes Mr Wahid as saying that should he be returned to power he would give Papua independence if that is the wish of the majority of West Papuans.
Mr Wahid said he approved that East Timor could become independent and he will do the same for Papua.
Mr Wahid's comments comes after the President Megawati Sukarnoputri issued a decree to split Papua province into three.
The decree has been criticised by human rights groups, pro-independence organisations and political analysts for undermining Papua's special autonomy status.
