Jayapura – Using the right of reply, Indonesian Ambassador to the United Nations Indonesia's rejected the statement of Prime Minister of Vanuatu.
Please watch the reply by Indonesia's Amabassador here: http://webtv.un.org/watch/rights-of-reply-6th-meeting-25th-regular-session-human-rights-council/3292582057001/.
And bellow is the transcript of the reply by Indonesia Ambassador.
Right of Reply
Mr. President,
My delegation takes the floor to exercise its right of reply to the statement made by Vanuatu.
The Government of the Republic of Indonesia strongly rejects the statement concerning the so-called 'issue of West Papua', made by the Prime Minister of Vanuatu, H.E. Moana Carcessess Kalosil, at the High-Level Segment on this morning.
His statement represents an unfortunate and sadly lack of understanding of basic facts on historical role of the UN and the principled position of international community at large as well as the current state of Indonesia, including the actual development in the provinces of Papua and West Papua, Indonesia.
We are just too conscious that internal political dynamics in Vanuatu have often played a role in the raising of the so-called 'issue of West Papua' in various fora, including the United Nations, as evidently stated in a statement made by the Office of Prime Minister Sato Kilman of Vanuatu in May 2012 and published by the Vanuatu Daily Post on 22 May 2012, which stated inter alia:
"in Vanuatu, the West Papua issue has been politicized and used by different political parties and movements not for the interests of the people in West Papua but more so for elections and political campaign propaganda..."
Furthermore, the statement of Mr. Kalosil is simply in contradiction with the visit of a high-level delegation of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) members representing Melanesian Community, to Indonesia from 11 to 16 January 2014 in which Ministerial Level Delegation of Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and representative of the Front de Liberation NationaleKanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) of New Caledonia as well as MSG High Representative conducted in situ visit to Papua province and obtained firsthand information. The Communique resulted from the visit stipulates that the government of Indonesia and members of the MSG are determined to strengthen cooperation and further enhance constructive relationship.
Worse, his statement is also in contradiction to the will of the Vanuatu government itself towards its relation with Indonesia as reflected in the 2011 Bilateral Development Cooperation Agreement that provides a legal framework for the two countries to respect each other's sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity and principles of non-interference in each other's internal affairs.
Mr. President,
For its part, Indonesia will not be distracted by such inclination. We will continue fostering our agenda for democracy, including the promotion and respect for the human rights of all its peoples.
At the same time, we will also persevere in the promotion of friendly relations with the Government and people of Vanuatu based on principles governing friendly relations between countries. A good will that we have demonstrated by presenting constructive recommendations to Vanuatu in their UPR consideration on last January.
Finally, Mr. President, we also would like to request to you that this statement to be put as an official document and record of the Human Rights Council.
I thank you.
(Jubi/Victor Mambor)