Chief wants Vanuatu to withdraw if MSG invites Indonesia

Vanuatu Daily Post

Chief wants Vanuatu to withdraw if MSG invites Indonesia

By Thompson Marango

Chief Fandanumata (Centre) with the Vanuatu flag and West Papuan Morning Star flag at Fatumaru Bay where the West Papuan sympathisers gathered for the protest

Outspoken Chief and member of the Oceania Decolonising Committee (ODC), Chief David Richard Fandanumata has expressed disappointment over Indonesia being offered observer status in the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) saying Vanuatu should withdraw its membership.

Chief Fandanumata was supposed to make the statement during a planned peaceful demonstration organised by the Oceania Decolonising Committee (ODC) against Indonesia’s application for observer’s statue in the Melanesian Spear Head Group Tuesday this week but was cancelled.

“Speaking on behalf of the chiefs, I call on the leaders the elected MPs, Ministers and Prime Minister especially to withdraw the membership of Vanuatu to the MSG if Fiji and or other members wish to entertain Indonesia in any ways, big or small,” he said.

He said although the message concerning the issue of West Papua has been loud and clear since the beginning from Late Fr. Walter Lini leaders have strayed from Vanuatu’s original stand for West Papua.

The outspoken chief said it is now up to the leaders to do their part by convincing other members of the Melanesian neighbours that it is wrong in all elevations to entertain Indonesia.

“If Fiji and maybe another member of MSG have decided and still decide to continue to entertain Indonesia, what shall our leaders especially the Prime Minister do?” he said.

According to Chief Fandanumata, they were forced to send back protestors and stop those planning on coming from rural areas after they were informed that the police have not received any application in order to allow a peaceful demonstration.

Chief Fandanumata said the protest was meant to be a peaceful one through main town to the MSG Secretariat at Independence Park where he was suppose to present a short speech.

ENDS

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