OPPOSITION LEADER COMMENDS PM FOR BOLD STANCE ON WEST PAPUA

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BY GEORGINA KEKEA

OPPOSITION leader, Mathew Wale has commended Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare for his stand on the West Papua issue at the Pacific Islands Forum Meeting currently underway in Tuvalu.

In a tweet message via his personal account, Opposition Leader Mathew Wale, said, ‘Well done’ PM Sogavare!

This is in response to a tweet by PIANGO (Pacific Islands Association of Non-Government Organization) quoting PM Sogavare as saying ‘It is time to stop the violence against West Papua.

It was only when parliament met earlier this month (August) Mr. Wale has made a call on Prime Minister Sogavare to join the government of Vanuatu in pushing for the review of the earlier resolution made by the Pacific Forum on the issue of West Papua. 

Wale said Prime Minister Sogavare should join the government of Vanuatu in championing the push at the regional level and to take a strong stand on the issue against Indonesia.

It is understood, Sogavare has told the pacific leaders in Tuvalu - if they wait for the next forum to discuss West Papua, something is wrong with them. He said they do not have to wait until the temperature is high.

At the same time, Prime Minister Sogavare has met with his Vanuatu counter-part Charlot Salwai in Tuvalu. 
PM Sogavare & PM Salwai (Pic: OPMC PRESS)

During their talk it was reported that both Prime Ministers agreed that United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHCR) visit and assess the human rights situation in West Papua. 

Indonesia has been commended by both leaders for inviting UNHCR to assess the situation in West Papua.

Also high on their agenda when they met was the Melanesia Spearhead Group (MSG). It was reported by the PM Press Secretariat, both Prime Ministers agreed MSG needs to be re-organized to where it was before. 

'A political platform for its member countries of Melanesia'. 

ENDS///


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