Raymond Sat – The Minister of foreign affairs and external trade, Hon. George A. Wells, has assured West Papua leaders now in Port Vila he planned to raise the issue of West Papuan independence struggle during the forthcoming Melanesian Spearhead Groups leader's summit in the Vanuatu capital in May.
The minister gave the undertaking during a courtesy call the West Papuan leaders' made to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Thursday evening last week.
Expressing his wish to see West Papua ultimately given Observer status in Melanesian sub-regional organization as well as the South Pacific Forum, Mr. Wells said he would like to see the issue discussed in the MSG leaders' summit and a resolution carried at the end of the meeting. "Melanesia cannot be considered free until West Papua also is free", he said.
During the meeting lasting an hour-and a half, the representatives of the West Papuan leaders expressed their gratitude for the Vanuatu's government support for their cause highlighted by recognition of the West Papua Representative Office in Port Vila.
They also thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs for his personal support witnessed by the recent provision of a passport to WPRO representative, Andy Ayamiseba. The West Papua leaders recounted stories of their struggle, expressed their wish to find ways forward through peaceful means, and requested Vanuatu's continued support which they described as a 'lifeline' for West Papuans and their aspirations.
Mr. Wells told the delegation that as he saw it there was only one way forward as far as Vanuatu's support for the West Papua independence cause was concerned.
"Only the Government of Vanuatu can assist with the way forward. Any other means would only be futile." He said the government needed to push for support from other MSG governments first and foremost. After then the MSG can support Vanuatu's commitment for wider regional and international support.
The Minister expressed his apologies for two appointments with the delegations earlier in the week that he was not keep due to Council of Ministers and Parliament commitments.
On that subject, the first political advisor in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Cullwick said the fact that Mr. Wells spent over an hour with the West Papuan leaders was big. Cullwick said this clearly showed the Minister shared that same feelings every Ni-Vanuatu had for the West Papuan people.
He added this gesture therefore nullified recent press reports that pictured the Minister and the Government of Prime Minister Ham Lini Vanuaroroa as very unsympathetic on the issue.