Ricky Binihi – West Papuans highly value their relationship with Vanuatu because of its former traditional staunch position on their plight.

It is now apparent Prime Minister Edward Natapei's government is divided on the issue of West Papua after revelations were made to the Daily Post by a senior government minister that he supports dialogue for an amicable solution to West Papua issue.

During the recent opening of the Northern District Hospital the Minister told Daily Post he was always for the independence of West Papua.

He said it's a "just cause", considering the fact that the 1969 Act of Free Choice did not gauge the view of all the West Papuans because only 1025 Melanesians who were selected by the Indonesian army, wanted West Papua to of be part of Indonesia took part in the referendum. There are about 600 000 Melanesians living in West Papua.

Recently a government statement said that when Vanuatu decided to enter diplomatic relations with Indonesia in 1993 that in essence meant that, legally Vanuatu accepts Indonesia's sovereignty over West Papua.

"We have the right to express our concerns with the Indonesian government about human rights violations but other issues will seem to be a violation of international law or interference in the affairs of the sovereign state of Indonesia," the statement said.

Daily Post understands that when Indonesian Police allegedly assassinated OPM commander Kelly Kwalik the Vanuatu government remained tight lipped over the issue because perhaps by speaking out it might be deemed to be interfering in "the affairs of the sovereign state of Indonesia."

The former Vanuatu Head of State, who is also a qualified lawyer by profession, Mr Kalkot Mataskelekele, during a visit to Indonesia told his counterpart in Jakarta that he along with many other ni-Vanuatu pray for the people of West Papua so that one day they may have self determination.

The Daily Post has been told that the party that holds the reins of power in Vanuatu, Vanua'aku Pati, have always rallied behind the cause for West Papua independence, and the Congress, which is the supreme decision making body of the party has never decided otherwise.

A peaceful march for the West Papua cause is being organised for Friday, in Port Vila.