Thank You Mannaseh Sogavare, Problem West Papua is Problem Melanesian dan Pacific

Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Mannaseh Sogavare And Secretary General ULMWP, Octovianus Mote

Portmoresby-SP/Antara- West Papua and its people is part of Melanesia and the Pacific. Therefore, it is relevant to be handled by Melanesians through the Melanesian Spearhead Groups (MSG) and the nations of the Pacific.

This was stated by Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, Mannaseh Sogavare told reporters in Port Moresby, on the sidelines of a meeting of leaders of the Pacific Island Forum (PIF), Thursday (10/09/2015). Sogavare statement reiterated what the special envoy of the Solomon Islands to the issue of West Papua, Matthew Wale after a meeting of ministers Pacific Islands on Wednesday night.

"Solomon Islands will raise the issue of West Papua in meeting the 46 Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in the retreat leaders of Pacific countries are scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday, 9/10/2015) morning," said Matthew Wale told reporters on Wednesday night.

Wale said in a statement that confirms the Solomon Islands came to PIF this year with three goals to resolve the issue of West Papua. Three goals is what conveyed by Prime Minister Mannaseh Sogavare in the leaders' meeting.

"Our first objective is to support the application of the United Liberation Movement of West Papua (ULMWP) as an observer in the PIF, the PIF Leaders urged to support a resolution calling on the Secretary-General to undertake an assessment of the human rights situation in West Papua; and called for the UN Decolonization Committee to restore West Papua on the decolonization list, "said Wale.

Sogavare leaders after the meeting, emphasized the issue of West Papua is very relevant in the PIF. Although not easy, he invited the leaders of the Pacific to realize that now is the right time to talk about West Papua.

'Public opinion has been formed and many information about West Papua conveyed to us. The leaders of this forum has a moral obligation to address the issue of West Papua in a responsible manner, "said Sogavare.

He also denied the statement of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Mohamed Fachir mentioning PIF is not the right place to discuss the issue of West Papua. PIF meeting this time, according to Fachir is to discuss cooperation economic development, address climate change, fisheries and Information, Communication and Technology in the Pacific.

"The issue of West Papua is not a new problem. The problem is already with us before our independence. We fight for our brothers, the people of West Papua became an observer in the MSG (Melanesian Spearhead Groups). In the PIF, the same thing we would do, "said Sogavare.

Bringing the issue of West Papua in the meeting of leaders of the PIF, Sogavare said, is not something outside the mandate of PIF. And the Solomon Islands recognized Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua. However, the sovereignty of a state is not an excuse for repression and human rights violations.

"Our membership in the United Nations shows the recognition of Indonesian sovereignty over West Papua. Similarly, the United Nations recognizes the rights of peoples to self-determination and human rights violations, "said Sogavare.

In her view as a leader, if the UN member states commit human rights violations against its own people, it is no longer the country's domestic problems. Each member of the United Nations are obliged to question the capacity of their membership in the United Nations.

Sogavare not dismiss if this attitude makes the relationship with Indonesia Solomon Islands tenuous. But he considers the country and its people are being tested for their commitment to West Papua.

"They (Indonesia) has expressed disappointment and we've explained that we mean well within the framework of the Pacific Islands Forum and MSG. Our active consultation with Indonesia, "said Sogavare.

He also appreciates the attitude of Papua New Guinea on the Papua issue as opposed to country. Papua New Guinea, said Sogavare, have to think about the interests of people who share a border with Indonesia. Decisions and attitudes of Papua New Guinea is the absolute right of the country, said Sogavare.

"Indonesia, does not have to agree with our position and attitude. But we continue to consult and explain that our attitude is the right thing for us to do. And we will keep moving forward to our goal, "said Sogavare.

In an interview with the prime minister Jubi Sogavare in Honiara last June, the People's Sogavare explained Solomon Islands, Papua wants free to determine their own destiny. Melanesia, yet free for West Papua are not free. The people of the Solomon Islands, West Papua is considered the nation's older brother who must be released for the glory of Melanesia.

"It is not merely the will of the prime minister. This is the will of the people of the Solomon Islands, who chose me as their leader. It is the people's mandate Solomon Islands, "said Sogavare then.

Support the people of Solomon Islands that brought Sogavare persistent against Fiji and Papua New Guinea in order to bring ULMWP become an observer in the MSG. (Papuani).