United Papuan group to hand in MSG application next week

Transcript

The recently formed West Papua National Liberation Front is in Vanuatu to submit their application for full membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

The group was formed in December in response to calls from the MSG for a unified body to represent the various factions within the pro-independence movement.

Spokesman Benny Wenda told our correspondent Hilaire Bule that they will submit their application on February the 5th.

BENNY WENDA: We bring this application together in one spirit to hand it over to the Secretariat, that is the purpose of everyone here.

HILAIRE BULE: What is the situation back in your place? The feeling of the Melanesian people in West Papua when they heard that now you have a front to fight for your independence?

BW:  This is the first time in our history because there many of our elders also signed an agreement a few times, many times, but failed because of an enemy trying to divide that but now this new generation has come and now we are one voice to form this group to liberate our people from Indonesia colonisation. I think this is right in the history for everyone and every group, every faction, one voice.  That's why I am really confident that we will want to show our brothers and sisters across Melanesia as well as the Pacific and also we want to show Indonesia and the world that we are one.  For 50 years Indonesia is trying to break us but now we have become one voice, we are ready to take over our country.    

HB:  What is the reaction of Indonesia after the forming of the front?

BW:  After we formed this group back on 8th of December the reaction is killing our young boys.  Four young boys.  Also now Indonesia create a lot of violence in West Papua.  We don't really care.  Whatever they do they have already been doing it for the past 50 years.  Most importantly we become one voice.  That's right we are really confident.  Even though they are killing us or imprisonment.  Many Papuans are hiding in the bush or some are refugees but this is our chance to now become one voice so we are ready to take our case to bring to our Melanesian brothers and sisters.

HB: Is it a milestone for the Melanesian people in West Papua?

BW:  We've seen this is the only way.  We bring our voice to other places but we bring our cry for freedom, cry for justice to Melanesia then our Melanesia brothers will rise because no one can help because this is Melanesia land, this is Melanesia country, this is Melanesia people.  The issue is a regional issue so that is why we want to come back to our Melanesian brothers and sisters.  This is the West Papua cry for help.

HB:  The formation of the front followed the instruction of the MSG leaders in New Caledonia because they suspected that there was still division within West Papua so do you think that during the next MSG leaders ,(meeting), that West Papua will finally become MSG member?

BW:  Yes.  I think that we have learned a lot of experience but now we are one so no question we are one voice ready.  This is what Melanesian leaders are asking us.