SOLOMONS YET TO DECIDE ON WEST PAPUA
General-Secretary for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua Octovianus Mote with local supporters in Honiara. Photo credit: SIBC.
Solomon Islands is yet to decide on its stand on the West Papua bid for membership of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).
The Fijian Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, and Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill recently said that any dealings with West Papua needs to go through Indonesia, whose sovereignty over the provinces should be respected.
The Solomon Islands Foreign Minister, Milner Tozak who expects to chair the MSG meeting in June says Solomon Islands stand is yet to be decided.
But Honourable Tozaka says MSG member countries expect to make a united decision as the countries refuse to make any decision on an ad-hoc basis.
West Papua membership bid should be decided during MSG Leaders Summit in Honiara on June 24.