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Republic of Nauru Statement by His Excellency Bernard Dowiyogo M.P. President of the Republic of Nauru and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister for Finance & Economic Reform - Statement before the United Nations Millennium Summit - United Nations, New York September 7, 2000 Mr. President, Excellencies. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Republic of Nauru is pleased to participate in this historic Millennium Summit of the United Nations. Despite having only joined the United Nations last year, Nauru values highly the work of this august body and also holds the highest expectations for its success in the new century. For it was through the assistance of the United Nations some thirty five years ago that the people of Nauru secured the support of the international community for a vote of self-determination. Having enjoyed thirty two years of independence Nauru is greatly encouraged that, through the assistance of the United Nations, our brothers and sisters of East Timor have secured a path towards independence. On this occasion we join in prayer the families of the three UN personnel killed yesterday on duty in East Timor. And yet, we can remain confident that the continued support of the United Nations can see the people of East Timor through their final step of nationhood. On the other hand, our Melanesian brothers and sisters in West Papua are still striving to break the imposition of colonial domination and foreign control, following the so-called Act of Free Choice in 1969. It is imperative that West Papua be given the rightful opportunity of a democratic referendum of its indigenous peoples, to exercise at last their right of self-determination. The United Nations cannot stand by and witness the destruction of the people of West Papua, where already more than half a million have been lost to human rights abuses. We must not in this area witness another catastrophe as occurred in East Timor. Nauru would therefore support a UN Resolution that permits the people of West Papua the choice of self-determination. My government is concerned also that the area constituted by the Pacific states does not receive sufficient attention from the United Nations. So often it becomes lumped with Asia and thereby overwhelmed by Asia. Oceania is a distinct area with unique characteristics and challenges. The Pacific should be recognised on its own by the United Nations as a separate regional group. As a small island developing state we are especially noted for our vulnerability. Particularly in respect of the fragility of our environment. Together with our brothers and sisters of the Pacific, the people of Nauru are threatened with genocide through global warming and the rise in sea-level. Nauru joins all responsible nations of the world to urge especially those countries responsible for present levels of pollution for the swift and early implementation of the intentions enshrined in the Kyoto Protocol. Indeed, any cold wind is likely to effect severe damage, whether that cold wind was the rise in sea-levels, pollution of fishing grounds, financial sanctions or, as in Nauru's case, the exhaustion of its only export, Phosphate rock.. Whilst the tourist posters may conjure images of paradise in the Pacific islands, the development challenges are real and ominous. With high rates of population growth and vulnerable economies there is increasing dependence on external aid. There has been a steady decline in per capita incomes and standards of living resulting in increased poverty. With substantial external debt, the developing states of the Pacific not only require development assistance but considerable foreign private investment. Even as small island developing states have attempted to strengthen their slender resources they occasionally come under attack from the developed economies. The attacks recently from the OECD upon offshore financial regimes including Nauru have been not so much on the basis of money laundering but rather for the more dubious reason of so-called harmful tax practices. Nauru has been appreciative of the support of the United Nations Offshore Forum which has, at least, recognised the damage posed by the OECD attacks. If the small island developing states are to be sustainably developed they will need a massive cooperative effort from the developed states and a genuine appreciation for their unique challenges. One of the developed states which has extended a hand of cooperation has been the Republic of China. As a robust democracy and champion of human rights values, the Republic of China has demonstrated both capacity and enthusiasm to contribute meaningfully to international welfare and progress. Along with a number of other UN state members, Nauru therefore supports the inclusion of a supplementary item on the Agenda of the General Assembly to examine the international situation of the Republic of China. The twenty three million people of the Republic of China (webmaster - reference Taiwan?) deserve no less than their proper international recognition, and for so long as they are excluded from the UN we cannot consider this august body universally representative of the peoples of the world. In concluding, I am hopeful that as the United Nations strides into a new century, reform of the UN Charter will assume greater prominence. We certainly cannot accept the UN to continue as it does without allowing wider and deeper involvement of the international community in addressing core global challenges. As leaders, we have a duty to the peoples of the world to ensure that the new century is a safer, more prosperous one than the 20th century . In this the 2000th anniversary of the birth of our Lord it is my sincere hope that love and understanding amongst our peoples of the world will prevail. For it has been said that the rule of law without love is tyranny. Thank you, and may God bless you all.
GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU Statement by Hon. Maautamate B. Sope, MP. Prime Minister of the Republic of Vanuatu United Nations Millennium Summit - New York 8th September 2000 Co-Presidents, Distinguished Delegates, The People of the Republic of Vanuatu, whom I am honoured to represent here today, are proud to be part of this Millennium Summit on " The Role of the United Nations in the Twenty-First Century ". When the Republic of Vanuatu was formally admitted as a full member of the United Nations in 1981, the fundamental ideals and principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter became part of the framework for our nation-building strategy and a source of inspiration in our common endeavours to create a better world for our future generations. For the United Nations to uphold a credibility in its central role of promoting a just and peaceful world in the Twenty-First Century, it will be important and necessary that its structures, its decision-making processes, its plans of actions, its focus and its directions must relate to the daily interests and concerns of the majority of ordinary people of this planet, including children, the disabled, women and the unemployed youth, and not just the interests and concerns of the richer and the more powerful members of our Organisation. The Millennium Report of the Secretary-General, which we commend, provides this Summit a good background as well as clear options for us to redirect and refocus the United Nations in its primary functions of assisting Member States in raising the standards of living of their respective populations. From our small island perspective, we feel it is also important to further stress the crucial place of a number of issues, including the following:
Over the past fifty years or so, much progress has been achieved in terms of economic and social advancement globally, and the role of the United Nations, other multilateral agencies and bilateral partners in this regard deserves our full recognition and continuing support. Much more, however, remains to be done. And it must be a priority for the United Nations to fully address the issues raised at this Summit. The Pacific region and its development needs deserve due consideration in the new millennium. It covers the largest area of ocean, huge marine resources, dynamic and diverse cultural and traditional values and, a young and growing population. An earlier proposal for a separate Pacific Grouping within the UN warrants serious consideration. The recent admission of Tuvalu, as the 189th member, is greatly welcomed by the People and the Government of Vanuatu. And it is our prayer that this new millennium will see a further increase in the Pacific Island membership. We would also like to suggest that the UN and related institutions based in the Pacific region, their decision-making processes in relation to development programmes for our islands, should be fully reviewed in the context of priorities established by the Pacific Island Member Countries. We are concerned that some powerful countries are using regional institutions and programmes to promote their own interests in our region. We must not allow this trend to continue. Co-Presidents, Despite our meager resources, the Republic of Vanuatu is proud to be able to participate for the first time in a UN Peace-keeping Mission, in East Timor and Bosnia, in addition to our small contribution to Pacific regional peace-monitoring missions. The recent tragic killing of 3 UN personnel in West Timor by militant groups must be condemned by this Summit. And we urge the Indonesian Government to take appropriate steps to positively and effectively address the situation. Co-Presidents, As World leaders, we have time and time again, expressed serious concerns and dissatisfaction that certain decisions and actions by the United Nations or its organs were not consistent with the purposes and intentions of the Charter. However, nothing is done to right the wrong. At this Summit, we must recognize that, when such errors are identified, it becomes our joint responsibility and it is in the best interest of this, our international family of nations and peoples, to make sure that the most appropriate actions are taken and to take them now to rectify such errors, so that we can embark on the new millennium with a clear conscience. In this context, Co-Presidents, as Chairman and an active member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group which is committed to promoting and safeguarding the Melanesian identity, values, traditions and rights, the Republic of Vanuatu calls on the United Nations to review the political and legal basis of its own undertakings in the 50s and 60s in relation to the fundamental rights and the fate of Melanesian brothers and sisters in the Asia-Pacific region, in particular, in West Papua. The continuing disputes and. concerns raised on the legality of UN-endorsed instruments which have been concluded during those years, such as the New York Agreement of 1962, to govern the UN administration of the so-called Act of Free Choice in West Papua is a clear example challenging the integrity and validity of the UN resolutions at that time. This simply is a mockery to the fundamental principles on human rights and self-determination clearly enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. The United Nations cannot and must not, in this new millennium, continue to turn a blind eye on its own past failures which has led to three long agonizing decades of injustice, tragedy and guerilla warfare in West Papua. It is both morally, politically and legally wrong to do so. The United Nations has competent agencies and institutions, such as the Committee of 24 or the International Court of Justice, which should be tasked to look into this or give an advisory opinion. The Netherlands which was the former colonial authority, in particular, should recognize that they some responsibility in helping to resolve the unfortunate situation of West Papua in a peaceful and transparent manner.
Co-Presidents,
It is a challenging responsibility. We do not want to fail this time around. Thank You. COSATU Message of Support - Congress of South African Trade Unions COSATU and the entire working people in South Africa condemn the act of terrorism as carried out by the indonesian military. We believe that it is inconsistent with the spirit of human rights and freedom of expression to arrest or to temper with people's rights to Independent thought. In this context, the continued harrassment of journalists and independent writers is a clear indication that the government of Indonesia and the military have not departed from the history of terrorism which was reminiscent in the era of SUHARTO.
The acts are an indication that the government and the ruling classes in Indonesa have not learn a lesson with the struggles against SUHARTO, the cry for the independence of East Timor. Surely, the authorities must and should know by now that the unity and strength of the people can bring change at whatever human cost.
It is COSATU's belief that the whoever carries out these acts should be condemned in the strongest possible manner, and failing which, history of SUHARTO's departure may have to repeat itself.
for COSATU,
Simon Boshielo (International Secretary) COSATU Head Office 1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets Braamfontein, 2017 P.O.Box 1019 Johannesburg, 2000 South Africa
Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24 Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940/4060 E-mail: simon@cosatu.org.za
International Action for West Papua thanks Mr. Simon Boshielo, COSATU, and the peoples of South Africa for the message of support as above. May justice prevail in West Papua. May the desire for self-determination expressed by indigenous Melanesians in West Papua after 39 years under the oppressive Indonesian military regime be realised through international pressure, so that the long and manipulated history of West Papua may at last be corrected, specifically the manipulated Act of Free Choice of 1969 - please read at un6869.htm
ASIET - November 8, 2000 Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor (ASIET) supports the West Papuan people's demand for a free act of national self-determination. Since the UN-supervised referendum in East Timor in August 1999, in which the overwhelming majority supported independence from Indonesia, the West Papuan people's campaign for the same opportunity to decide their future has intensified. When the Dutch relinquished colonial rule over Indonesia between 1945-1949, West Papua remained under its control. Under United Nations auspices, West Papua's future was to be renegotiated in 1950, but no such consultation took place with the West Papuan people. In 1961 the Dutch began a defence build-up, while on December 1 that year some West Papuan leaders declared independence. In January 1962, the Sukarno government sent in a special force to "liberate" the territory, but that failed. In August, as part of the New York Agreement, an interim United Nations administration took over from the Dutch. But on May 1, 1963, under US and Australian government pressure, the UN gave Indonesia the task of administering the territory and organising an act of self-determination within six years. The UN, backed by the West, acceded to Indonesia's demand that West Papua be "returned". This take-over was "ratified" by 1,025 local chiefs selected by the Indonesian military to take part in the so-called Act of Free Choice in 1969. This sham was recognised by the UN as a legitimate act of self-determination. In 1973, following years of a transmigration program, Indonesia renamed West Papua Irian Jaya or the Victorious Irian. Secret documents released in 1999 by the Department of Foreign Affairs reveal that Australia's security organisation, ASIO, played an active role in preventing West Papuan leaders from presenting their case for independence to the UN, just weeks before the fake vote. The Australian military collected evidence of Indonesian atrocities in West Papua, but still Australia played a key role in the campaign to ensure the Act of Free Choice was accepted without debate at the UN General Assembly in November 1969. Since the early 1960s, resistance to Indonesia's brutal rule in West Papua has been growing. In 1965 the Organisasi Papua Merdeka (Organisation for Papua's Independence -- OPM) was formed to coordinate the struggle for self-determination. Indonesia responded with military action, arbitrary arrests, disappearances, and the murder of those suspected to be OPM supporters. Following the massive demonstrations early this year to mark the 38th anniversary of the 1961 declaration of independence in which some 80,000 people took part and the OPM's flag was raised all over the country, President Abdurrahman Wahid was forced to make some conciliatory gestures. He agreed to a name change, back to West Papua, and apologised for years of repression and human rights violations. However Wahid, backed by local imperialist bully Australia, has ruled out a referendum on self-determination. West Papua is home to Freeport, one of the richest copper and gold mines in the world. Located at Grasberg mountain, the mine is owned by the New Orleans-based Freeport McMoRan Copper and Gold company and is run by Freeport Indonesia with the help of the Indonesian military. The local Amungme and Koworo people were never consulted and have been harassed and massacred for their opposition to the mine. After smelting, the gold and copper are estimated to be worth US$2 billion a year. Freeport Indonesia, a privately owned company, has a 20% stake. For now, the political elites in Indonesia and the Western powers believe West Papua's massive mineral and forestry resources are more easily exploited under Indonesian rule. However, growing international support for the West Papuan people's right to self-determination may make this untenable.The week-long Papuan People's Congress in June, attended by some 2700 participants from 14 districts with 501 elected delegates, declared that Indonesia's incorporation of West Papua was invalid and that the province became independent from the Dutch in December 1, 1961. These events and the recent Pacific Islands Forum meeting in Kiribati where delegates discussed the deteriorating human rights situation in West Papua represents a significant step forward in the struggle for self-determination. On December 1, the West Papuans will raise the independence flag in a bid to push forward their struggle for independence. Wahid has ordered a ban on flag raising ceremonies and some a number of people have recently been murdered for such acts of civil disobedience. Some 100,000 West Papuans have been killed since the early 1960s and the terror is intensifying as between 5000-10,000 Jakarta-funded pro-integration militias continue their campaign of terror and brutality. The Australian Coalition government and Labor opposition must be forced to reverse their policy and support the West Papuan people's right of self-determination. ASIET calls on supporters of the right to self-determination to demand the Howard government:
Detikworld, September 20, 2000
In respect of the memory of the estimated 300,000 murdered and disappeared Papuans (please read section on abuses), each reader is requested to e-mail their respective members of Government, Parliament, Senate, Congress where ever they are, to seek an urgent review by the United Nations of the 'Act of Free Choice' of 1969. We hope enough material has been provided through this website (and others) for all humanity to realise that something terribly wrong has occurred in West Papua and that the situation is likely to deteriorate in the very near future.
The West Papua 'problem' can not, will not, and shall not disappear until the great injustice which has been the history of West Papua is rectified.
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