4 May 2010

Vanuatu foreign minister urged to snub Indonesia over Papua issue

6:43 pm on 4 May 2010

The Vanuatu Free West Papua Association and the leader of the opposition have asked the Foreign Minister, Joe Natuman, not to meet the Indonesian government.

Both the Association and the opposition's Ham Lini say if Mr Natuman accepts Jakarta's invitation to meet for talks, it would be a slap in the face for the people of Vanuatu.

Mr Natuman received a petition pushing support of West Papua self-determination after a march in Port Vila two months ago.

While he promised to take the petition to the Council of Ministers, 9_rnzi.news.world/pacific-air

there has been no response from the government.

Mr Natuman had been due in Indonesia at the weekend but the trip has been put back because it clashed with visits to China and Britain.

But the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms he will go to Indonesia though a new departure date has not yet been set.