Vanuatu's Prime Minister has told fellow leaders at the Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders summit in Noumea that history will judge them poorly if they display a lack of leadership on the West Papua issue.
Moana Carcasses' address to the summit's plenary session on Friday focussed on self-determination rights of West Papuans and the indigenous Kanaks of New Caledonia.
While the MSG has committed strong support for New Caldeonia's indigenous FLNKS movement's preparation for independence, the group is divided over how to help the West Papuan cause.
Mr Carcasses was a strong supporter of the application for MSG membership made by the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation which has been deferred.
"History will judge us for the decisions that we make here now and in the future, our failure today to take decisive decision....will be exposed by future generations. Our motive .... will be laid bare by our future generation."
Vanuatu's prime minister Moana Carcasses.
