[Kabar-indonesia] Melanesian Spearhead Group May Back West Papua Independence

[Joyo at aol.com]

PNG Post Courier
Monday, October 9, 2006

MSG moves for Papua Independence

By Sheila Lasibori in Suva, Fiji

THE Melanesian Spearhead Group may consider a move to help 
West Papua Province gain independence from Indonesia.

Although this topic was not discussed further it has been listed by
Melanesian countries attending the third Melanesian arts and cultural
festival in Suva, Fiji, as one of the recommendations for the MSG.This
recommendation was noted at the end of a week-long symposium that
covered cultural issues affecting Melanesian countries.There were also
talks within the Melanesian circle to have a common regional language
for communication.Several academics and researchers from various
Melanesian countries on Thursday suggested for the common language to
be widely spoken by all Melanesian countries. Under the topic
Education-status of arts and language policies, this was raised and
listed down as one of the many recommendations. Former Papua New
Guinea ambassador to the UN, Peter Donigi who is a senior lecturer in
the diplomacy program at the University of South Pacific also called
for the common language for all Melanesian countries. -end-

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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