Jakarta – Foreign countries still recognise Papua as part of Indonesia, said Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda in response to the US Lower House's recent bill questioning the validity of the 1969 referendum in Papua, in which Papua locals voted unanimously to join Indonesia.

"I can say that until now, there is no country in the world supporting the partition of Papua from Indonesia," Hassan said on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting on the Millennium Development Goals in Jakarta, according to local media.

He admitted there were several groups in Indonesia and other countries, including members of the parliament, non-governmental organizations and churches, who want West Papua to become independent.

The Indonesian government would use diplomatic channels to approach other countries in order to oppose such aspirations, the Minister added.