6 Feb 2018

West Papua movement confident of PNG support for membership bid

5:10 am on 6 February 2018

The executive of the Vanuatu based United Liberation Movement of West Papua says it is confident the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea will vote for West Papua to become a full member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group at its meeting in Port Moresby next week.

(from left:) United Liberation Movement for West Papua chairman Benny Wenda, Vanuatu prime minister Charlot Salwai and deputy prime minister Joe Natuman, as well as ULMWP deputy chairman Octo Mote at the Movement's summit in Port Vila, 1 December 2017.

(from left:) United Liberation Movement for West Papua chairman Benny Wenda, Vanuatu prime minister Charlot Salwai and deputy prime minister Joe Natuman, as well as ULMWP deputy chairman Octo Mote at the Movement's summit in Port Vila, 1 December 2017. Photo: Australia West Papua Association

The movement's spokesman Jacob Rumbiak says members of the executive expect Peter O'Neill's support because he assured them he would vote for them when they became united.

Mr Rumbiak says not only is the movement 100 per cent unified and united but has made headway by appointing legislative and judiciary committees and created job descriptions for committee posts.

Mr Rumbiak told the Vanuatu Daily Post that West Papuans are Melanesians and are also Mr O'Neill's fellow citizens because they come from the island of New Guinea.

Thousands attended the opening of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua's new office in Wamena.

Thousands attended the opening of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua's new office in Wamena. Photo: ULMWP

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