From Solomon Islands Leading Daily Newspaper WCC’s West Papua Petition Dear Editor - I wish if you could allow me space in your column to express my view regarding the above. I have read with interest an article published in your Wednesday 6th November paper, issue number 5327. This concerns the World Council of Church’s petition for the inclusion of West Papua in the UN’s list of countries for decolonisation; a petition highly supported by 12 Pacific Island countries church leaders who are also present at the meeting. It is a formal request by the organisation, which also consists of the bid to send a fact finding mission to the Indonesian held territory to assess the real situation, as well as a call for the state to end the human rights atrocities that are happening there. That is, those including arbitrary arrests, torture, illegal detentions, brutality, murder, genocide and other abuses by the Indonesian military. Having mentioned that, I find it ridiculously surprising why there is being very little done by our Pacific Islands national political leaders towards finding a fair and lasting resolution for the issue. This is clearly shown in the latest UNGA meeting, in which there is not even a slight mention of West Papua in our representative’s speech, nor that of the other Pacific Island countries. Correct me if I am wrong. But as far as I know, Vanuatu was the only country that is bold to stand up for the cause of West Papua. It is indeed a shame to see our leaders only engage in playing with the lives of our fellow Melanesian and Pacific Island brother, in exchange for petty rewards and promises by Indonesia. A good example is the recent visit of the PM to Indonesia, one that, apart from incurring a huge cost to our tax payers and depriving the opportunity for the provision of essential services to our people, also becomes a humiliation to Indonesia herself. If remaining passive on issues of concern could teach us a lesson, it is one that we will always be viewed as cowards. In the case of West Papua, let us not forget that truth will always prevail over lies and good over evil. Likewise, those who continue to support the thriving of evil and injustice in this age will never be successful. This is a reality that can be found all throughout human history. Furthermore, our Pacific political leaders should not shy away from facing the fact of raising the issue with Indonesia and the UN. Remember, we do not want to bury our heads in shame when our brother’s plight turns out to be as either what he desires or not in the near future. In fact, I will be the first to cover my head in disgrace when West Papua finally attains international recognition without a meaningful support from my government. I said this in view of a sentiment that is ones uttered by a Pacific Island leader, in which he mentioned that, and I paraphrase; “for the case of West Papua to be successful, it needs the involvement of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands”. I consider these words to be very true. Although I believe in the collective involvement of our Pacific neighbours through our existing regional and sub-regional institutions, the crucial role of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands in heading the dialogue for the settlement of the matter is imperative. If Solomon Islands was able to support our other neighbouring Islands in their quest to attain sovereignty in the past, which is still is, why has she avoids doing the same for West Papua? Finally, it is important to mention that let us not be spectators in a crisis that requires our participation and assistance, or else we will forever remain to be known as such. This is when the ‘Morning Star’ rises and shines at the dawn of day. God bless West Papua, Solomon Islands and the Pacific. K. Waitara Burns Creek solomonstarnews/viewpoint/letters-to-the-editor/19681-wccs-west-papua-petition-
Posted on: Fri, 15 Nov 2013 13:08:33 +0000
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