Vanimo – Members of the West Papua National Coalition for Liberation have called for peaceful dialogue with Indonesia as the only viable way to settle the conflict in the Indonesian province.

The members made their call after a five-day coalition-sponsored workshop in Vanimo, the capital of Papua New Guinea's north-westernmost province, Sandaun, earlier this month. The workshop followed their summit held in Vanuatu in April 2008.

Former Sandaun Province governor John Tekwie and his community hosted the workshop and representatives of the coalition's member organisations who participated had returned home very much encouraged and hopeful about the results, says a statement sent to The Southeast Asian Times by its secretary general Rex Rumakiek.

The statement attribute's the workshop's success to the overwhelming support of the host community and the determination of coalition members to ensure its effectiveness. The workshop achieved its objectives.

These were: the finalisation of bylaws intended to strengthen unity in the struggle; govern activities and control the coalition's action and direction.

This was important because the coalition was a forum for cooperation between West Papuan resistance organisations.

The workshop had also designed and endorsed a programme, or road map, to achieve the aspirations of the West Papuan people. Short-to-medium term plans would now be designed and acted upon.

The coalition has again asked the Melanesian Spearhead Group and the Pacific Islands Forum to grant West Papua observer status at their forthcoming meeting.

The statement asks the "international community" to approach the complex issues in West Papua with objectivity and understanding. "Please do not divide our people," it says.

"As a people and a nation we very much valued our unity within which we could resolve our problems. It is because of this we will continue to consult and where necessary reconcile within our communities to take pride by being part of this national coalition.

"We have chosen the word liberation for this coalition because it is relevant to the nature of our struggle because, by liberation, we are not only freeing ourselves from colonial occupation, but also from dehumanising colonial values.

"We are absolutely determined to use peaceful means and every available avenue to achieve our people's aspirations."