9 May 2013

West Papua coalition to lobby PNG govt over MSG bid

3:18 pm on 9 May 2013

The West Papua National Coalition for Liberation says there is only one member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group left to lobby over its membership bid.

The coalition recently formally applied for full MSG membership and a formal response is expected when the sub-regional grouping's leaders convene their annual summit in Noumea next month.

In the last two months, Melanesian leaders have been lobbied by the coalition over its membership bid.

The vice-chairman of the coalition, Dr John Ondawame, says they've received commitments of support from Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands and the Kanak leadership of New Caledonia.

"It indicates clearly that the majority of the Melanesian countries support the West Papuan independence aspiration. Only Papua New Guinea (is yet to confirm its support), and at the end of this month a delegation of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation will visit PNG and we will raise the same concern with the government of Papua New Guinea."

John Ondawame