West Papua movement in final push towards MSG

Transcript

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua is planning its final push ahead of this week's vote on whether to admit West Papua to the Melanesian Spearhead Group.

The MSG leaders' summit will be held in Solomon Islands this week, where a decision will be made on whether to accept West Papua as a member.

West Papua's bid was rejected for lack of a unified movement at last year's summit, which led to the formation of the United Liberation Movement and the submission of another application.

The group's spokesperson, Benny Wenda, told Jamie Tahana he is confident the group will be admitted this time round, and will spend this week lobbying the MSG countries.

BENNY WENDA: At the moment we've already had a meeting here and some of the ministers come in Monday, so we hope that this is very historical and we feel that this is a very important moment and we're trying to use many channels to try and convince that West Papua is Melanesia, is not Indonesia, and that West Papua is a Melanesian issue. West Papua is entitled to become a full member of the MSG, and that's our position.

JAMIE TAHANA: So far though only FLNKS and Vanuatu have expressed their full support and of course Vanuatu, with its recent change of government, that's up in the air too. Do you feel you've got your work cut out here when Fiji supports Indonesia, PNG has been ambivalent and Solomon Islands only the other day has said they'll only support West Papua for observer status.

BW: For us, Fiji and Papua New Guinea always... the quality of their diplomacy is in their support. But we are talking about this is West Papua, a Melanesian issue, and this will never go away from this region. I'm really confident that the decision can come and join Vanuatu and Kanaks. That's my belief and Solomon Islands ordinary people, from the druids down to the village level, they are already supporting. At the government level, we know that the government already announced (its position to only support observer status) so we are confident that the decision come, Solomon will support and because this is a moral obligation to support West Papua.

JT: So you're confident that by this time next week, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua will be a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group?

BW: Yes, I'm really fully confident and then we can talk peacefully and to look at what's happening and sit down together equally.

JT: It is looking increasingly likely though that there is support for also bringing Indonesia in to the Melanesian Spearhead Group, is that something you'd accept?

BW: I think Indonesia is already in the Melanesian Spearhead Group. That's up to the (MSG) governments. But we are talking Melanesian Spearhead Group has a policy that their principle is of standing for the Melanesian people. Indonesia intends to use their money diplomacy, we know that. I'm not really concerned about that.

JT: If full membership is rejected at the meeting, will you still accept observer status or associate status?

BW: Yeah, the United Liberation Movement campaigned for full membership and that's what we aim for. That's up to the MSG leaders to make a decision.