An advocate for the self determination movement in the Indonesian province of Papua says the Vanuatu parliament's withdrawal of a motion in support of West Papua is shameful.

Dr John Ondawame had been active in rallying key support among Vanuatu's chiefs for the motion which called on Vanuatu's parliament to sponsor the push for self determination.

But the motion was dropped yesterday after the government withdrew its support, saying it had concerns about the way it has been presented and worded. Dr Ondawame says the motion would have been an important gesture of international support for the Papuans' cause.

"Because the US congress – 351 congressmen passed a bill on West Papua - 88 members of the Irish Parliament passed a bill on West Papua – British Parliament, even the House of Lords and former ministers are concerned about West Papua – even Dutch Parliament investigating the conduct of the so called Act of Free Choice in 1969, so we have international support."

Dr John Ondawame claims the withdrawal of the motion is a sad indictment on Melanesian brotherhood.