1) West Papua remains a part of Indonesia: PNG Govt

2) Melanesian Solidarity Summit Today

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http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read&o=210533973757ec8f8db03c616f6c9d

1) West Papua remains a part of Indonesia: PNG Govt

10:50 pm GMT+12, 28/09/2016, Papua New Guinea

The Papua New Guinea Government has reiterated its stance on the West Papua issue, saying that the Papua Province remains an integral part of  Indonesia.
 
This follows the attendance of the PNG delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister, Rimbink Pato, to the United Nations General Assembly meeting where several Pacific Island nations raised the West Papua issue.
 
Minister Pato responded, during a media conference, saying that PNG’s position has been clear as announced during various regional meetings.
 
“We have a very strong relationship with government and people of Indonesia, we have a whole range of agreements and treaties that govern our relationship,” said Pato.
 
“So our position is that as far as West Papua or the Papua Province is concerned, they remain an integral part of the Republic of Indonesia.”
 
Minister Pato said human rights abuse allegations and the issue of self-determination can be raised through the proper forums in accordance with the principles of international law.
 
“There are institutions globally, including the UN systems, who will deal with those issues and we don’t have an issue with that, I don’t think Indonesia has an issue with that,” said Pato.
 
“These are matters that we agree that need to be looked at.

SOURCE: LOOP VANUATU/PACNEWS

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http://dailypost.vu/news/melanesian-solidarity-summit-today/article_286ac5b5-b3e6-503a-98cc-8bd2d49bd447.html

2) Melanesian Solidarity Summit Today

• By Godwin Ligo
 
• 22 hrs ago

• The Vanuatu West Papua Association is hosting a “Wantok Summit” for Free West Papua Civil Society Organization support group in the Melanesian region of Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kanaky, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and West Papua at the Vanuatu Christian Council (VCC) office, 8.30 am today.

  The Summit is being held in parallel with the MSG Leader’s Summit in Port Vila which the Daily Post understands will take place on the 3rd and 4th of October 2016. The theme for the Melanesian Associations in support for West Papua full membership in the MSG is “Melanesian Solidarity”.

  According to the Chairman of the Vanuatu West Papua Association, Pastor Allan Nafuki, the three-day summit will focus on the issues of Defining “Melanesia; its cultures, language heritage, ethnicity, Impact of colonization on Melanesian solidarity, how Melanesian countries are advocating for Melanesian Solidarity, Restoring the Melanesian Solidarity and what can Melanesians do together in this regard and winding up the Summit with a Melanesian Government heads Reconciliation customary ceremony on Saturday to be facilitated by the Vanuatu Malvafumauri National Council of Chiefs.

  Some prominent Melanesian figures behind the support for West Papua full MSG membership include; Benny Wendy, Spokesman for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Damson Faisi, Chairman of the Solomon Islands in Solidarity for West Papua, Joko Peter Kassey, of the Free West Papua –PNG Chapter and West Papua Refugee Relief Association, Inco, as others from Fiji and Papua New Guinea were expected to be in Port Vila for the summit.

  Without commenting further, the Chairman of the Vanuatu West Papua Association Pastor Allan Nafuki, said a press communiqué will be issued at the end of the summit on the resolutions.
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