Official support for West Papua

• VANUATU: H.E. The Honourable Barak Sope MAAUTAMATE, Minister for Foreign Affairs.
  . In his view, the UN must take responsibility to restore its own image and bring a lasting peace in West Papua. The delegation of Vanuatu was, therefore, urged the UN to undertake the [ Visit Website ]
  Sep 28, 2004, 09:00
• H.E. The Honourable Barak Sope MAAUTAMATE, Minister for Foreign Affairs on West Posted by: Malukon Friday, October 01, 2004 - 09:27 AM
• E. The Honourable Barak Sope MAAUTAMATE, Menu Vanuatu dalam Pidato SU PBB, 2004,
  The United Nations must be consistent in its decisions for the recognition and respect of the fundamental rights to self-determination for the people of West Papua.Sep 21, 2004, 22:46
• Foreign Minister Sope discusses Millennium Challenge Account in Washington, Posted Monday, October 11, 2004
• Republic of Nauru Statement by His Excellency Bernard Dowiyogo M.P.
• Government of the Republic Of Vanuatu Statement by Hon. Maautamate B. Sope, MP, Prime Minister
• COSATU Message of Support - Congress of South African Trade Unions
• Self-determination for West Papua now! ASIET - November 8, 2000
• Detikworld, September 20, 2000. 3 Countries Support Papua's Independence
• British Houses of Parliament Early Day Motion 475
•  

H.E. The Honourable Barak Sope MAAUTAMATE, Minister for Foreign Affairs on West Posted by: Malukon Friday, October 01, 2004 - 09:27 AM

Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, Excellencies & Distinguished Delegates

I bring to this August gathering a warm greeting from the people of the Republic of Vanuatu.

Mr. President,
At the outset, I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your assumption as the President of the 59th Session of the United Nations General Assembly...

May I further take this occasion to acknowledge with deep gratitude the contributions of your predecessor who so competently steered the work of the 58 Session to its conclusion.

Here, I must also acknowledge the outstanding role of Mr. Kofi Annan, the Secretary General, for being resolute in his efforts to revitalize the organization in addressing global concerns and my delegation hereby reaffirms its support for Mr. Annan's profound and meticulous leadership of the United Nations.

Here, I must also acknowledge the outstanding role of Mr. Kofi Annan, the Secretary General, for being resolute in his efforts to revitalize the organization in addressing global concerns and my delegation hereby reaffirms its support for Mr. Annan's profound and meticulous leadership of the United Nations.

I also take this time to convey the condolences of my Government and people of Vanuatu to the people in the Caribbean nations, and in particular Haiti, for the loss of so many lives and for the extensive damage caused by the destructive forces of nature that swept through the region recently. We offer you our moral support and pray for a speedy recovery in the lives of the affected peoples and for the swift rehabilitation and rebuilding of the devastated areas of your nations. These inevitable natural calamities again expose the extreme and particular vulnerability of island states, seriously affecting national economies.

Mr. President,

Annually, from this rostrum we reaffirm our faith and confidence in upholding the purposes and principles of the Charter. We entered the new Millennium with much anticipated hope of creating a just and better world for all our citizens. However, global insecurity and the varying dimensions of serious conflict have created a frightening situation. The world is expected to plunge into further turmoil unless the role of this only truly global body is reinvigorated to resume its legitimate responsibility in addressing the causes of conflict and maintaining peace and security. I come to this Assembly with some trepidation as I see the globe spiraling beyond control unless its members uphold the universality of the United Nation's decision-making process in addressing global concerns.

The world is at the crossroads and we meet here at a critical juncture. Around us civil strife, wars, poverty, diseases, famine, drought, natural disasters, terrorism, environmental degradation, depletion of land and marine resources, etc are ravaging the world. The displacement of peoples from their natural habitats and the sacrilege of the human suffering in many parts of the world demonstrate that unless immediate remedial strategies are implemented the global situation will continue to deteriorate.

Moreover, the emergence of conflict in areas once believed stable coupled by the deterioration in law and order and the senseless killings of innocent peoples are painful reminders that warrant rethinking of policies and decisions.

Globalization has brought with it both opportunities and challenges but for the small island states the challenges are much more ominous.

Mr. President,
Those are the realities.

These negative developments lead me to conclude to the indispensability of the United Nations and the need for all members to work as friends and equal partners. Globalization has brought nations together-we are interlinked and interdependent and this requires global cooperation and governance from all responsible members of the Organization . Understandably, there are vested interests from the powerful but this requires genuine cooperation and goodwill, and the convergence of those interests and the United Nation's role in that regard must remain fundamental to ensure compatibility with the international legal framework. Maverick policies and decisions will only create further division and hostility.
With that mindset, I believe there is now consensus for far reaching reforms to be introduced to make the United Nations relevant to all its members with the fundamental objective of preserving international peace, security, and stability.

My government fully supports efforts to reform the United Nations system to ensure a stronger and more effective organization. On this note my delegation wishes to endorse the views of other delegations on the need to review the membership of the Security Council that will better reflect geographical representation and the underrepresented group of member countries of the UnitedNations, without affecting the authority of the Council.

I hope all the rhetoric that has come before this Assembly can be translated into concrete and practical action. We must be resolute in our collective desire to work together as sovereign nations in addressing the world's problems through multilateral institutions. The blueprint for
international cooperation has been established but reforming certain structures in the United Nations system must be seen as the prerequisite if we are serious in moving forward. The Achilles heel of the current structure is the imbalance of power play in the United Nations system. It has become so chronic that it has weakened the multilateral focus, cohesiveness, and internationalism of the United Nations.

The principles of democratization and good governance so actively advocated and championed by some members must be reflected in the reorganization and decision-making process of the United Nations system.

It is in this regard that Vanuatu supports the review of the permanent membership of the Security Council to include Japan, a representative from the African continent, the Middle East, and one from the group of small developing countries. A more representative Council will bring openness and transparency, create confidence, and ameliorate understanding and cooperation. A restructuring of the Security Council membership is long overdue. Diversity is essential here.

My Government looks forward to the report of the Secretary General's High Level Panel. 2

Mr. President,

While the fight against terrorism takes center stage, it must not overshadow the socio-economic development agenda and other serious security concerns affecting the developing world and in particular those of small island states. Resources will inevitably be diverted towards combating terrorism in all its facets but judicious decisions need to be taken. It is against this background that our delegation wishes to associate itself with statements made by other delegations on the imperativenes the concerns of the small island states on vulnerability.

At the Millennium Summit Leaders adopted the 8 Millennium Development Goals with targets to be achieved by 2015.While commitments have been made the lethargic performance of many countries, including Vanuatu, demonstrate the need for more international support in assisting countries meet those targets.

The global economic situation today discriminates against many of the developing economies.

Unfair trading practices and imposition of intrusive policies on national economies, in this case Vanuatu, affect the economy by opening it up to unfavorable conditions that only favour the stronger nations. Post-Cancun poses extreme challenges for the economic survival and socioeconomic stability of many of the small developing nations like Vanuatu.

My Government's initial focus is on the social sector- in health and education. The Government ' s Prioritized Action Agenda launched last year in consultation with development partners is the catalyst for Vanuatu's medium to long term strategic planning. This development policy framework is consistent with achieving the MDG targets and emphasizes the need to empower our rural population through infrastructure and capacity building initiatives. Our appeal goes to our development partners to adequately assist us in its implementation.

On that note my delegation wishes to express its gratitude to the United States of America for granting Vanuatu eligibility to access development funding from the Millennium Challenge
Account.

Mr. President,

The primary responsibility for development lies with the state itself however, external influences and conditional aid has not adequately corresponded to Vanuatu's development priorities and advancement. The pretext for foreign advice conditioned with development assistance has been to improve governance and are sectors considered vital in establishing a strong economy.

In Vanuatu's case this line of argument has not produced tangible results with restricted progress reflected in our continuous struggle with reforms that are more or less dictated by external forces.

Both the recipient and the external assistance must be balanced and sensitive to national interests.

Too often, these normal reactions are misunderstood by some of our development partners.

From Vanuatu's perspective, externally driven reforms must be buttressed by an equal partnership that respects local tradition, culture, and rights of all citizens without disturbing the essential uniting mechanisms of society that have successfully held us together over time. An exploitive agenda can only erode and dismantle these ingrained mechanics leaving us vulnerable to the rapid changes affecting all today.

Vanuatu embraces democracy and concepts of governance/ transparency but these must be tailored to suit the traditional system without affecting the relevance and significance of those farreaching principles.

Mr. President,

In recent times the history of the Organization has been characterized by indecision that have blemished the record of the United Nations, and I speak to the longstanding issue of self determination, and in particular the case of West Papua cognizant of the Charter espousing the principles that continue to guide the Organization's efforts in the process of self-determination.

The United Nations must be consistent in its decisions for the recognition and respect of the fundamental rights to self-determination for the people of West Papua. The truth surrounding the so called Act of Free Choicemust be exposed to the Melanesian sisters and brothers of West Papua, and the rest of the international community; the saddest of all is the UN General Assembly Resolution 2504 on West Papua in 1969. How can the UN continue to ignore the cries of over three million people demanding justice?

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, with case of West Papua absolutely nothing has been done to rectify the gross violation of internationally accepted practice. It is therefore our joint responsibility to address this grey area in history.
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. In our opinion the UN conducted exercises were a total farce conditioned only to suit the geo-political climate of that period.

The United Nations cannot and must not continue to turn a blind eye on its own past failures. It is morally, politically and legally wrong to do so.

The Netherlands, which was the former colonial authority, in particular, should also recognize that they should shoulder some responsibility in helping to resolve the unfortunate situation of West Papua in a peaceful and transparent manner. Why is no one accountable for those unjust decisions affecting the lives of millions today?

Vanuatu therefore calls for:
• The establishment of a Special Commission of Enquiry to review the UN's conduct in relation to the 1969 Act,
• The UN to send a fact-finding mission to examine the situation in West Papua with regard to human rights abuses and other related issues,
• The re-inscription of West Papua on the List of Non-Self-Governing Territories.

These are critically challenging responsibilities.

Mr. President,
On a final matter, my delegation strongly reaffirms its support for Resolution 2758 of the 26th Session of the General Assembly in 1971 recognizing the legal and political representation of the People's Republic of China as a member of the United Nations. Vanuatu again reiterates its unwavering support for One-China and urges all members of the United Nations to work in the interest of world peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

Mr. President,

In conclusion, I must bring to the attention of this Assembly another priority issue that is of grave importance to my Government and Nation. I raise again the matter concerning the relocation of the ESCAP Pacific Operations Center in Vanuatu to another location. My Government was not properly consulted and requests that the decision to relocate the EPOC from Vanuatu be reconsidered. If the UN ESCAP Pacific Operations Center's relevance in the region is questioned then my Government is proposing that a proper review be carried with a view to restructuring the ESCAP Office in order to relocate the Pacific Operations Center to Bangkok. Programmes and activities under ESCAP responsibility may be better coordinated through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for the region.

I hope wisdom will prevail as the debate continues on our future destiny. Despite all our differences and diversities human security for all is our main goal, and this should remain the focus of the UN agenda. The cardinal question is will members allow the United Nations to undertake serious reforms in meeting the challenges ahead? The future remains in our hands.
 

Republic of Nauru Statement by His Excellency Bernard Dowiyogo M.P.

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

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:

• greater and easier access to education for our growing populations. At the current rate of population growth in developing countries, including Vanuatu, this will become the greatest challenge for us all in this millennium;
• improved health services to the poorest and most remote parts of our nations;
• greater gender equity at all levels of societies;
• a better cooperation and rationalization of resource use between the United Nations and other multilateral bodies, such as L' Agence de la Francophonie and the Commonwealth;
• brighter economic opportunities for the most vulnerable nations through more responsive Official Development Assistance programmes and genuine foreign direct investments to support their development initiatives such as in renewable energy and new information technology;
• a more equitable sharing of benefits from the ever complex globalisation regime, including the international trading system;
• an immediate ratification by the industrialized countries of international treaties on the protection and sustainable management of our natural environment and resources which are so vital to the very survival of millions of citizens of small island states;
• a global village fully committed to peace, justice, law and order, mutual respect, and tolerance; and
• a recognition and respect of the fundamental rights to self-determination.

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,

The resolutions we will be adopting and the new directions we are setting for the United Nations for the new millennium can have significant impacts on the future of our global relations and the lives of the world's people, particularly, in the small and poor countries.

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 UN Involvement in West Irian By John Saltford.

Self-determination for West Papua now! 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:

• Cut all military aid to Indonesia;
• Pressure Jakarta into withdrawing its military from West Papua;
• Add its weight to calls for a UN inquiry into human rights violations in West Papua and;
• Support a UN-supervised act of self-determination to allow the West Papuan people to decide on their future.

Detikworld, September 20, 2000. 3 Countries Support Papua's Independence

Jakarta - The Chairman of Papua Presidium Council, Theys Hiyo Eluay, stated that 3 countries are supporting the independence of Papua. Located in the Pacific islands, those countries are the Republic of Nauru, Vanuatu, and Tuvalu.

Theys Eluay addressed reporters in a press conference at Wisata Hotel in Central Jakarta today, Wednesday 20/9/2000. According to Theys, those 3 countries want Papua to be given the opportunity to determine its own future. He added that the reason for their support is because they share the same racial origin (Melanesians).

A meeting will be held in mid October 2000 between The Chairman of Papua Presidium Council and the Netherlands government to discuss matters concerning Papua.

A prominent figure of the Papua youth movement, Yorrys Raweyai, has denied that Papua's home-grown security force is armed. "There are no weapons. We don't have any weapons. God is our only weapon," said Yorrys, who was released after being detained as suspect in the bloody 27 July incident when the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) headquarters in Jakarta was attacked by a group of para-militia security task force.

Yorrys himself agrees with the idea of disarming civilians. According to Yorrys, armed civilians should be restricted to members of the Indonesian Target Shooting and Hunting Association (Perbakin). "Even they have to meet several requirements and procedures," he said.

According to Yorrys, his staff is currently clarifying data about the numbers of members in Papua no-official security task force, and investigating suitable forms for the force. A workshop will be held by the Commander of Papua Military Command and the Papua Police Chief to find a solution. Yorrys added that an open and violence-free dialog is necessary to discuss matters concerning Papua.

British Houses of Parliament Early Day Motion 475

Corbyn/Jeremy

That this House recalls that in August 1969 an Act of Free Choice (the Act) took place in the former Dutch colonial territory now known as West Papua or Papua, then under Indonesian administration, which was intended to be an act of self-determination conforming with international practice; further recalls that the Act in fact involved an unrepresentative group of 1,025 persons selected by Indonesia voting under duress to become part of Indonesia; is concerned that the Act was not free and fair and was not a proper act of self-determination in accordance with international law; notes that in December 1999 the Government of the Netherlands agreed to investigate the circumstances under which West Papua was incorporated into Indonesia; further notes that in February 2000 the Grand Assembly of West Papua, comprising representatives from across the territory, voted to reject the result of the Act because it did not conform with international practice and took place amidst intimidation and murder by the Indonesian military; calls upon Her Majesty's Government to recognise that the inalienable right of the people of West Papua to self-determination has not yet been realised in accordance with international law and to press the UN to investigate the Act with a view to carrying out a proper act of self-determination in the territory; and further calls upon Her Majesty's Government to press the Government of Indonesia to enter into meaningful dialogue with West Papuan representatives to seek peaceful and democratic solutions to their grievances.

Signatures (27)

Corbyn/Jeremy	Mahon/Alice	Campbell/Ronnie
Hancock/Mike	Wise/Audrey	Rogers/Allan
Morgan/Alasdair	George/Andrew	McWalter/Tony
Simpson/Alan	McNamara/Kevin	Wigley/Dafydd
Taylor/David	Clapham/Michael	Sawford/Phil
Jones/Lynne	Hopkins/Kelvin	Vis/Rudi
Wyatt/Derek	Cryer/Ann	Gorrie/Donald
Austin/John	Etherington/Bill	McDonnell/John
Michie/Bill	Godman/Norman A	Benn/Tony

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.