The Asia-Pacific Journal | Japan Focus Volume 12 | Issue 47 | Number 3 | Nov 16, 2014
MSG Headache, West Papuan Heartache? Indonesia's Melanesian Foray インドネシアのメラネシア進出 MSG（ メラネシア先鋒グルー プ・グルタミン酸ナトリウム）頭痛、西パプアの苦痛
Camellia Webb-Gannon, Jim Elmslie
Introduction we analyse the ways Indonesia is insinuating itself into Melanesian politics and its attempts to Asia and the Pacific—these two geographic, undercut Melanesian support for West Papuan political and cultural regions encompass entire self-determination. Finally we consider the life-worlds, cosmologies and cultures. Yetimplications of Indonesia’s lengthening arm into Indonesia’s recent enthusiastic outreach to Melanesian politics for Melanesia’s regional Melanesia indicates an attempt to bridge both the political bloc, the Melanesian Spearhead Group constructed and actual distinctions between (MSG), and for West Papuan politics. them. While the label ‘Asia-Pacific’ mayInternational support for West Papuan accurately capture Indonesia’s aspirational independence is critical to the movement’s sphere of influence, it is simultaneously one that traction, as it was in the cases of East Timor and many Pacific scholars have resisted, fearing that South Sudan4. As West Papua refutes Indonesia’s the cultures and interests of the Pacific are claim that the conflict is an internal domestic one, threatened by the hyphen1. This fear is justified, and enlists the support of fellow Melanesian we contend, as Indonesia progressively puts nations to help internationalise its concerns, itself forward in Pacific political forums as the Indonesia is forced to respond on the official representative of ‘its’ Melanesianinternational stage too, seeking first to woo West populations2—a considerable number of whom Papua’s strongest potential allies, the MSG support independence from the Indonesian members. We conclude by arguing that if the state3. MSG and individual Melanesian states want to respond to Indonesia by including it in their In this article, we examine why Indonesia is political and trade networks, it is their increasingly representing itself as a Pacific ‘nesia’ prerogative to do so. However, they should (Greek for islands), seemingly to neutralise West beware of further stifling already marginalised Papua’s claim to political Melanesianhood. Then Melanesian voices such as those of West
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Papuans, this being the principal deleterious Papua to attain status as a member of the Pacific effect of Indonesia’s recent foray into Melanesian regional community, it is also seeking Pacific politics. status to legitimise its stranglehold on West Papua8.
Indonesia has had a long relationship with the Pacific, and a largely violent one with what is now West Papua. In Asia in the Pacific Islands, Ron Crocombe describes Indonesia’s historical links with the Pacific as being forged through a series of waves. The first wave produced the ancestors of most Pacific Islanders who came originally from Taiwan and travelled via Indonesia to reach Map showing Indonesia in relation to Melanesia. Image credit Melanesia9, and later, Polynesia and Micronesia10. (http://wikitravel.org/en/Oceania) However, Crocombe downplays the significance
Indonesia’s Pacific Pitch of these migration waves to Asia and Pacific Islands relations, claiming that these early West Papua’s geopolitical liminality in relation to populations had very little interaction with Asia Asia and the Pacific Islands positions it as the after their exodus11. West Papuans living in the ‘hyphen’ in the pan-regional Asia-Pacificwesternmost part of the island of New Guinea 5 construction . Culturally it is of the Pacific, with a and its outlying islands were not so fortunate. Pacific identity, which, on account of itsFrom the 15th century, the sultans from the geographic location and colonial history, has had Indonesian islands of Tidore and Ternate its interests subordinated to its much larger conducted violent slave raids into West Papua, Asian occupier, Indonesia. Over the last five plundered exotic goods and extracted tribute12. years however, West Papuan voices for self- The second wave of Asians to the Pacific Islands, determination have increasingly made their way according to Crocombe, stretched from 1800 to into the consciousness of the regional and the 1945 and mainly included workers hired to 6 international community . In response, over the labour in European colonial settlements. past two years in particular, IndonesianFollowing this pattern, the Dutch colonisers of diplomacy has vigorously extended itself east West Papua used Malukan colonial subjects as into Melanesia in an attempt to maintain control teachers and administrators in West Papua, much over West Papua, its territorial bridge to the to the resentment of West Papuans13. Pacific7. But Indonesia is not only using West
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The third wave was the most violent of all for and Melanesia, and the blurring of ethnicities West Papuans. While the Dutch had prepared an and cultures in the transitional region between elite group of West Papuans for independence by New Guinea and Asia18, in terms of chosen 1961, the Unitary State of the Republic of identity19, invented tradition20 and sociocultural Indonesia insisted that West Papua join it. In practices21, West Papuans have much more in 1962, against a backdrop of Cold War geopolitics, common with the rest of Melanesia than with the United States (US) and Australia backed Asia22. And while identities are neither Indonesia’s claim to West Papua and negotiated primordial nor unchanging but are worked out in a transfer of the territory to Indonesia, without relation to otherness23, and all categorisations of consulting the local population. In 1969, the UN humans are social constructs, the living out of cursorily oversaw and endorsed the so-called Act constructed identities is experienced as reality. of Free Choice, a referendum in which less than Regional identity may not be as salient to many one per cent of the West Papuan population was Pacific Islanders as language and place, but it is required, by force, to vote for integration with important to those elites whose job it is to define Indonesia on behalf of the entire territory. Since the nation-state and its place in the international 1964, West Papuans have conducted military and system24. Thus, as Selwyn Garu, member of the peaceful campaigns for independence, while Vanuatu Council of Chiefs stated in 2009, demographers estimate that between 100,000 and “Melanesia is not a concept, it’s a reality”25. Such 500,000 West Papuans have been killed under the statements “say…something”, according to Indonesian occupation14. Crimes against Stephanie Lawson, “not just about the social humanity committed by Indonesian security construction of reality but about the reality that forces, documented extensively elsewhere15, have social constructions come to acquire in the world been horrific and frequent, yet ignored. Indeed, of politics”26. They also say something about serious accusations of genocide have been why, despite some overlap of ethnicities and mounted against Indonesia for its actions and cultures in what Indonesia considers to be the far intentions in West Papua16. eastern limit of its state, West Papuans are “ontologically attached”27 to the Melanesian Despite its forced incorporation of West Papuans Pacific, as a distinct and separate region from and several other Melanesian populations within Indonesia’s Asia. its state boundaries, through which it claims a place at the Melanesian political table, Indonesia However, Indonesia has much to lose28 if West is not part of Melanesia17. While some Papua is included politically, in addition to its anthropologists highlight the contiguity of Asia current cultural affiliations, with the Pacific. It is
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not possible for Indonesia to deny West Papuans’ as well as an Asian state. Indonesia has cultural Melanesian-ness, an identity label that previously represented itself as “Father of the has gained wide support among West Papuans, Nesias”39, referring to the path the Papuan and Papua New Guineans, Ni-Vanuatu, Solomon Austronesian peoples historically followed Islanders and Kanaks in the post-PNG and through Indonesia to the other Vanuatu independence era29. The label ‘nesias’—Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia. ‘Melanesia’—‘mel’ (from the Greek ‘melas’, But being ‘Nesian’, as Kirsten McGavin points meaning ‘black’) and ‘nesia’ (from ‘nesos’, out, is a Pacific Islander notion. As an identity it meaning ‘islands’)—formalised in 1832 by French is not necessarily ethnically defined, and it can explorer Dumont D’Urville as the name of the incorporate many Islander cultural practices, south-west Pacific region in 1832—has largely particularly when groups of ‘Islanders’ from shed its racial and racist connotations30. Being different Pacific countries gather socially in an generally darker in skin colour and more ‘outside’ country. Thus, the hula might be egalitarian31 in social organisation than other performed at an Australian wedding uniting a lighter-skinned and hierarchically-structured New Zealander and Papua New Guinean, even societies in the Pacific encountered by early though the hula is a Hawaiian dance, precisely colonial explorers, Melanesia was a pejorative32 because the celebration is taking place in a and racial label, in contrast to the geographically panethnic Pacific Islander community40. labelled Pacific regions of Polynesia (many Identifying as ‘Nesian’, therefore, is problematic islands) and Micronesia (small islands). Despite for Indonesia because as a panethnicity, being the label’s objectionable genealogy, indigenous ‘Nesian’ is “based on [a Pacific Islander] cultural intellectuals from the 1970s onward havebackground and similarity of experiences41.” The reclaimed Melanesian-ness as an anticolonial33 experiences of Pacific Islander West Papuans at and panethnic34 identity based largely on various the hands of the Indonesian state have been discourses—the Melanesian Way35, wantokism36 incomparably more tragic42 than those of most and kastom37, which largely exclude Western, other peoples grouped together as Indonesians. Asian and even Polynesian values38 on the basis Secondly, Indonesia encounters problems with of either their foreignness and (or) their its ‘Nesian’-ness in its status as a state, rather imperialist connotations. than a region. Being regions, Melanesia, In order to deny West Papuan representation at Polynesia and Micronesia provide a framework Melanesian and Pacific forums, Indonesia is within which their individual states can work trying to identify itself as a Pacific (Melanesian) together relatively amicably through regional
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and bilateral relationships. Indonesia, as a nation- WPNCL prepared yet another application for state, cannot allow the many nations itobserver status. The evening before it was due to encompasses to freely associate as sovereign be submitted the WPNCL leaders attending a political entities. Thus Indonesia lacks the special pre-summit reception were encouraged democratic functioning of the three Pacific by the Chair of the FLNKS to apply for full ‘Nesias’ of which it claims parentage (by virtue of membership45: the application form was quickly the use of its land by Melanesia’s, Polynesia’s adjusted accordingly. Although it is not within and Micronesia’s original inhabitants while in the MSG’s remit to formally intervene in the transit from Taiwan to their Pacific destinations). Indonesia-West Papua conflict, West Papuans Regardless of these deficiencies in Indonesia’s hope that if they are admitted to the MSG, that claims to Melanesian representativeness,bloc will have sufficient clout to take their case however, realpolitik negotiations saw Indonesia forward to the UN Decolonisation Committee. granted observer status in 2011 at the Melanesian West Papuans found encouragement for this Spearhead Group (MSG)—Melanesia’smove in a casual remark by UN Secretary subregional political and trade bloc. ThisGeneral Ban Ki Moon at the 2011 Pacific Islands transpired despite the MSG being founded in Forum in New Zealand46. 1986 to strengthen Melanesian solidarity and The MSG decided during its June 2013 summit, promote Melanesian interests, including the at the insistence of Vanuatu and the Solomon decolonisation of Kanaky43. The MSG includes Islands, to endorse West Papua’s right to self- Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and the Kanak determination, and stated that the atrocities of Socialist Front for National Liberation (FLNKS)44, the past five decades in West Papua needed to be but has not yet welcomed West Papua into its taken up with the Indonesian government. But fold. they held off from a decision on West Papuan The West Papua National Coalition formembership, instead accepting Indonesia’s Liberation (WPNCL), which represents many invitation to host a Foreign Ministerial Mission West Papuan independence groups at the (FMM) of MSG leaders to Jakarta and West international level, has been working to highlight Papua, headed up by Fiji, so that MSG leaders the dubiousness of Indonesia’s claim tocould witness first-hand conditions in West Melanesian representativeness, and for several Papua47. The WPNCL would be advised, it was years lobbied the MSG for observer status for decided, of the MSG’s decision within six months itself with little effect. This changed at an MSG of the FMM visit. Despite the delay of the final meeting in New Caledonia in 2013, when the decision on full membership, West Papua’s
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reception at this MSG summit was a small important issue that deserves detailed analysis victory in itself: for the first time West Papuan elsewhere. But the second problem for the representatives were given observer status like WPNCL, which is taken up here, is Indonesia’s Indonesia and East Timor, and did not have to powerful counteroffensive to the MSG’s new attend as members of a Vanuatu delegation as receptiveness towards West Papua50. According they had in the past. And the very act of to an article in the Solomon Star News, Jakarta’s deliberating on West Papua’s application and method is to “convince the [MSG] countries that deciding to send the FMM to Indonesia appeared Indonesia is a gateway to an Asian economic to indicate of a new approach to West Papua miracle and they can be part of the economic amongst MSG states. prosperity through Indonesia”51. In the next section, we consider the effects of Indonesia’s Two key factors however, are proving sticking response on each MSG member country, the points for the WPNCL’s progress at the MSG, MSG overall and West Papua’s political future. one of which the remainder of this article examines. The first is the problem of West Fiji Papuan high level representation. While the Indonesia was savvy in determining how to pick WPNCL has excellent diplomatic networks off MSG member support for West Papua. It within the MSG, and is the umbrella organisation chose Fiji, arguably its closest Melanesian ally, as for some 29 independence groups in West Papua, the member through which to extend an there are other influential bodies claiming to be invitation to the MSG to visit West Papua, the legitimate and most suitable representatives assuming correctly that Fiji’s Foreign Affairs of West Papuans at the MSG. Jacob Rumbiak of Minister, Ratu Inoke Kubuabola, would take it the Australian based West Papua National upon himself to shore up support amongst the Authority and the West Papuan provisional MSG members for an Indonesia-friendly government, the Federal Republic of West outcome52. Having already established close Papua48, put forward a claim for MSG observer military ties with Indonesia53, Fiji was also status, on behalf of his affiliations, and was seeking closer diplomatic ties with that country present at the June summit. According to after joining the Non-Aligned Movement in 2011. Vanuatu Lands Minister and West Papua Brij Lal contends that Fiji is keen to assert itself supporter, Ralph Regenvanu, this contention on “the bigger stage” with major Asian powers around ‘true’ representativeness is disconcerting but, in doing so at the expense of West Papua, is to MSG leaders, and it has weakened the jeopardising Melanesian regional peace and WPNCL’s MSG support base49. This is an security54. However, the timing of Fiji and
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Indonesia coming together indicates it may have from the commitment to West Papuan self- triggered a foreign policy coup for Fiji, namely a determination made just seven months earlier at visit in early 2014 by Australia’s Foreign Minister the MSG summit in Noumea. An examination of Julie Bishop to Fiji’s Prime Minister Voreqe the MSG-Indonesian statement reveals a likely Bainimarama which signified a thaw in the seven motive for the change of heart: it promises year freeze on diplomatic relations between the cooperation between the MSG countries and two countries55. In light of these prior connections Indonesia on food security, trade, education, with Indonesia, Fiji proved reluctant at the 2013 natural disaster response, policing and political MSG summit to sign off on West Papuan MSG and cultural exchange programs57. During the membership, instead moving to delay the June 2014 Fiji-hosted Pacific Islands decision until after the MSG Foreign Ministerial Development Forum, then-Indonesian President Mission (FMM) visit to West Papua in order to Yudhoyono indicated that Indonesia had establish the WPNCL’s representativeness of earmarked US$20 million for capacity building West Papuan independence groups. programs for Pacific Islands countries58. These are areas in, and funds through which, Even a last minute announcement by Indonesia individual MSG countries hope to benefit that it planned to truncate the MSG delegates’ through collaboration with Indonesia. visit to West Papua—initially planned to span a couple of days, prompting Vanuatu to pull out of In an attempt to further secure Fiji’s loyalty, the trip altogether—did not cause Fiji to question Jakarta has showered Fiji with gifts of money and the mission’s merit. Indeed, the “carefully political support that have benefited both parties. choreographed” half-day visit to West Papua was One such example is Indonesia’s May 2014 structured so that MSG delegates did not meet US$30,000 contribution to assist Fiji in hosting the with independence advocates or politicalUN regional conference of the UN’s Special prisoners in West Papua56, and therefore could Decolonization Committee – a conference at not report to their constituencies on local West which Indonesia was anxious to bury the issue of Papuan concerns or unrest. All of the MSG West Papua59. It has also donated one million delegates who attended the Indonesian FMM dollars to the establishment of an MSG regional visit signed, together with Indonesian officials, a police force training academy, in which Fiji is statement committing each party to respect each taking a lead60. In early 2014, Vanuatu announced other’s “sovereignty, unity and territorialit would host a special meeting of the MSG to integrity and […] non-interference in each other’s discuss West Papua after the FMM visit failed to internal affairs”. This marked a sharp departure make genuine contact with West Papuans on the
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ground61. Realising then that it needed Fiji’s support more than ever, Indonesia subsequently sent an eight member delegation to give public lectures at Fijian universities and to discuss “trade, investment, economic relations and even
62 higher education prospects” . Despite West New Guinea island divided between Papua New Guinea and West Papua (or the Indonesian provinces of Papua and Papua Papuan WPNCL members labelling this a conflict Barat). Image credit (https://www.flickr.com/photos/akrockefeller/8341481016/) of interest, the Fijian High Level Representative at the MSG, Kaliopate Tavola, commended Fiji Papua New Guinea (PNG) for taking the opportunity to seek bilateral PNG, the host of the inaugural MSG summit in agreements with Indonesia during the FMM 1986, and the largest country in Melanesia, is visit63. perhaps the most politically influential as well as However, not all Fijians are happy with the populous member of the group. With regard to approach their Prime Minister and Foreign support for West Papuan independence, it is also Minister are taking on West Papua. For example, the most reserved. PNG shares a border with popular Fijian musicians have collaborated to Indonesia (West Papua) and its army is write and perform the song ‘Let the Morning Star outnumbered 322 to one by Indonesia’s66, factors Rise’, which refers to West Papua’s national flag, which explain PNG’s reticence to challenge and lyrically rallies Melanesian support for West Indonesia on its neighbour’s plight. The 1986
64 Papuan freedom . At a national government Treaty of Mutual Respect, Friendship and level, too, there is discontent about the handling Cooperation between PNG and Indonesia, a of West Papua: a spokesperson for Fijianbilateral non-aggression pact, governs border opposition party the United Front for arelations. PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has Democratic Fiji has accused Indonesia ofbeen conscientious in condoning Indonesia’s meddling in Fijian internal affairs by offering “sovereignty” in West Papua, probably in the support for Fijian Prime Minister Commodore hope of reducing the border skirmishes and Bainimarama in anticipation of his re-election incursions by Indonesian troops into PNG that that occurred in September 2014, and buying off occur several times a year, in spite of the 1986
65 support for West Papuan self-determination . treaty. There are also many economic and development opportunities for PNG to exploit through collaboration with Indonesia; in 2013 PNG agreed to work with Indonesia on joint
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border gas exploration, highway construction investigation … our mission has been and hydropower projects67. And perhaps PNG is completed”71. And while in Jayapura, West mindful of its own secessionist issue inPapua, Pato reaffirmed that the MSG members Bougainville, seeing any success for West Papua “support Papua to remain under Indonesian as a query against its own handling of the sovereignty”72. On December 1, 2013, Powes Bougainville conflict. Parkop, the governor of the National Capital District and a long-term supporter of West At the 2013 MSG summit PNG’s previous prime Papua, arranged for the Morning Star flag to be minister and one of the founders of the MSG, raised, as is West Papuan tradition on that date, Michael Somare, addressed those gathered: at City Hall in Port Moresby for the first time. “There is strong and growing support among the Prime Minister O’Neill asked Parkop to cancel MSG peoples for West Papua’s membership to the flag-raising but the governor ignored the MSG and West Papua’s aspirations to self- request, accusing O’Neill of being leant upon by determination. … For me personally, I believe Indonesia. Two foreign invitees to the event, that MSG should actively make representations Jennifer Robinson, a prominent human rights to Indonesia to address human rights abuses in lawyer, and Benny Wenda, a West Papuan West Papua”68—because West Papua is “a political refugee in exile, were threatened by significant Melanesian community”69. However, police with arrest warrants for taking part in PNG’s current prime minister, Peter O’Neill, did political activity on a visitor’s visa73. not even attend the summit. Instead, he was Nevertheless, civil society and local and leading a delegation of PNG leaders to Indonesia opposition politicians in PNG support West for discussion of border controls, trade and Papuan independence. The Melanesian United investment. While there, O’Neill reiterated to the Front launched a campaign and petition to Indonesian press that PNG is committed to support the WPNCL at the MSG74, and the leader supporting West Papua as a part of Indonesia70. of the opposition in PNG, Belden Namah,
PNG’s Foreign Minister, Rimbink Pato, visited recently stated: “Papua New Guinea has a moral Indonesia and West Papua for the FMM, together obligation to raise the plight of West Papuans with the Foreign Ministers of Fiji and the and their struggle for independence with the Solomon Islands and a representative of the Indonesians and before international bodies and 75 FLNKS. When quizzed by media on human forums” . rights violations in West Papua he responded, “I Solomon Islands have not seen the evidence. As I’ve said, we have a clear mandate and we have conducted an Jason MacLeod contends that “of all the
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Melanesian countries, the Solomons have the president Yudhoyono used the opportunity to lowest level of awareness of the Indonesian convince Lilo that prosperous development was government’s occupation of West Papua” and transpiring in West Papua, and to emphasise the that “they are the site of substantial Indonesian benefits to the Solomon Islands of ongoing trade and Malaysian logging interests”76. Indonesia and with Indonesia82. Given the proximity of the the Solomon Islands also collaborate on issues of invitation to the 2013 MSG summit and that Lilo energy, fishing, media and development77. was the first Solomon Islands prime minister Nevertheless, prior to leaving for the June 2013 ever to visit Indonesia, it seems apparent that the summit, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister trip was an Indonesian attempt to sway Lilo from Gordon Darcy Lilo publicly admitted his concern his pro-West Papua position. for West Papuans’ human rights, stating his There was civil society backlash, however, belief in the importance of the issue being raised against the Solomon Islands government’s about at the MSG78. Furthermore, at a meeting with a face on the issue. Solomon Star News headlines delegation from the WPNCL in early 2013, he described Lilo as having been “lured” by stated that “the West Papuan case is an Indonesia into changing his position on West incomplete decolonisation issue; it has been Papua, signifying media distrust of Indonesian going on for too long; it must be resolved now”79. motives83. And Redley Raramo, president of Even at the June 2013 summit meeting, the Forum Solomon Islands International, alleged Solomons delegation, together with Vanuatu and that Lilo should be “blasted” for undermining the FLNKS, supported the WPNCL’s MSG the West Papuan agenda at the MSG summit84. membership application. During the summit, New Caledonia's Front de Libération Nationale Lilo expressed hope that the MSG could “provide Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) a platform for dialogue between West Papua and
Indonesia … to allow for responsible and New Caledonia is a French territory but the 80 managed progress towards self-determination” . FLNKS (Kanak and Socialist National Liberation A trip to Indonesia by Lilo shortly after the Front) has enjoyed MSG support from the summit, however, marked a turning point in the beginning, and New Caledonia is listed as a non- Solomons’ endorsement of West Papuan aims. self-governing territory with the UN’s The trip was allegedly paid for by Indonesia, and Decolonization Committee. Thus the FLNKS has Lilo described it as a “breakthrough moment” a fine line to walk on West Papua. Caroline 81 from which “benefits will come over time”. Machoro-Regnier, Chair of the MSG Foreign According to news reports, Indonesia’s then- Ministers group, declared FLNKS support for
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West Papua at the 2013 summit, and revealed reflect influence from other MSG delegates, that the West Papua issue was raised at this influence from Jakarta or genuine confusion as to particular summit at the FLNKS’ behest: “We the WPNCL’s representativeness, given that the asked the representatives of West Papua to come FMM delegates were not able to meet with West to New Caledonia to explain the situation to us. Papuan independence leaders in-country. Or, as We cannot just leave the issue aside, with all the the FLNKS enter the final phase of the Noumea exactions, the violation of human rights that Accord during which they decide whether a West Papua is suffering”85. However, in adding referendum on independence will be held in that the issue was “sensitive”, with the potential 2018, it might just be that the FLNKS leaders are to cause a rift between MSG members and fearful of losing MSG support for their cause as between the MSG group and Indonesia, she the West Papua issue promises to be an ongoing hinted that FLNKS loyalty to West Papua might and possibly explosive one for the organisation. waver, depending on the extent of the threat to MSG solidarity86.
Yet it was the MSG chairperson and FLNKS spokesperson, Victor Tutugoro, who called for a special MSG meeting to discuss West Papua just days after the FMM team returned from Indonesia because the stated aim of the visit, to meet with indigenous West Papuan human Rally for West Papuan independence in Port Vila, Vanuatu, March 5 2010. Image credit: rights groups to determine the representativeness Asia-pacific-action.org. Original image of the WPNCL, had failed. However, the Kanak location (https://www.greenleft.org.au/node/44585) delegate who completed the FMM visit, Yvon Faua, was pessimistic about the WPNCL’s Vanuatu prospects, stating that there were other groups The Vanuatu Government has long been a claiming to represent West Papuans and that supporter of the West Papuans and their desire subsequently “the report FLNKS has to make to for independence. This is more than a sentiment the leaders is that it is not possible to accept the held by the political elite but is felt strongly application. I think the [WPNCL] has to join all throughout the society, more than in other the others because as we know there are also Melanesian countries. Even at the time of other organisations”87. The FLNKS’ post-FMM Vanuatu’s independence, in 1980, West Papua reticence to support West Papua’s bid might was a significant fixture on the political
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landscape. Vanuatu’s first prime minister, Father Papuan activists in Vanuatu has helped ensure Walter Lini, said that the country would never be that the West Papuan issue has been aired in the truly free while other parts of Melanesia,local media much more than in other Melanesian especially West Papua, remained occupied by countries. The issue of West Papua is strongly foreign powers. embedded within the national psyche and on the domestic political agenda. The Vanuatu How this sentiment became established in traditional Council of Chiefs, which at times of Vanuatu is unclear. Certainly amongst the political crisis has proved to be Vanuatu’s general population there is a belief that the island supreme repository of political power, is also of New Guinea is the ‘mother country’. This is vocal in its support for West Papua, and the issue true; humans arrived some 3,000 years ago, has percolated down through society from the migrating down the spine of the New Guinea elite to the village level. archipelago and onto the fertile chain of islands that today comprise Vanuatu. So there is a sense Indonesia has been aware of this support within of kinship and common heritage which is deeply the Vanuatu body politic for many years, but has felt. only recently sought to counter it. The most obvious example of this was in the courting of Moreover Vanuatu has also always been a place one of Vanuatu’s previous prime ministers, Sato of refuge for West Papuan dissidents and Kilman, with lavish trips to Jakarta and talks of a independence activists. In the 1970s the famous closer relationship between the two countries. West Papuan rock band, the Black Brothers, Kilman was forced to resign on March 21, 2013 sought asylum in Vanuatu and lived there for ahead of a vote of no confidence largely due to many years. Their music, heavily imbued with a his dealings with the Indonesians89. He had been longing for independence and politically charged instrumental in Indonesian obtaining observer with themes of injustice and resistance against status in the MSG, and Ni-Vanuatu voters oppression, seeped into the consciousness of the believed that he was too close to Jakarta, whose newly independent nation88. Vanuatu continues influence on Vanuatu’s internal politics was to act as a refuge for West Papuan activists: Andy feared90. Ayamiseba of the Black Brothers has been a long term resident under successive administrations, Kilman’s successor as prime minister, Moana as was John Otto Ondawame, Vice-Chairman of Carcasses Kalosil, immediately distanced himself the WPNCL, until his passing in September 2014. from the Indonesian push for closer ties and instead embraced the attempts to have an official The ongoing presence of high profile West West Papuan presence in the MSG. He asked the
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WPNCL to formally apply for observer status to West Papua as a piece of diplomatic window and facilitated the lobbying efforts of Ayamiseba dressing. Using the right of reply, Indonesia’s and Ondawame with the governments of PNG, Ambassador to the United Nations rejected the Solomon Islands and Fiji. Initially these Kalosil’s claims: efforts seemed to make considerable headway but, as discussed above, were stymied at the His statement represents an MSG Noumea meeting in June by the deferral of unfortunate and sadly lack of the decision pending the MSG FMM to West understanding of basic facts on Papua. historical role of the UN and the principled position of international Meanwhile Kalosil continued pushing the West community at large as well as the Papuan cause even after its support in the MSG current state of Indonesia, including the faltered. At the United Nations on the 28th of actual development in the provinces of
September, 2013 he opined, “How can we then 93 Papua and West Papua, Indonesia. ignore hundreds of thousands of West Papuans who have been brutally beaten and The Indonesian Ambassador then went on to murdered?”91. Kalosil went even further on claim that the “issue of West Papua” was March 4th, 2014 in a speech to the UN Human manipulated within Vanuatu’s domestic politics Rights Committee in Geneva, when he for electoral advantage by certain individuals. specifically referred to the horrific torture and Quoting former Prime Minister Sato Kilman murder of individual West Papuans which had (who, as noted, lost office due to his close been filmed by soldiers, and called for the connection with Jakarta) as saying: “In Vanuatu, Committee to establish a country mandate which the West Papua issue has been politicised and should “include investigation of alleged human used by different political parties and rights violations in West Papua and provide movements not for the interests of the people in recommendations on a peaceful political solution West Papua but more so for elections and in West Papua”92. political campaign propaganda”. The Indonesia responded forcefully to Kalosil’s Ambassador then alluded to the farcical FMM speech and the accusation of human rights mission discussed above, which spent less than a abuses. It is worth looking at this response in day in West Papua, as undermining Kalosil’s some detail as it clearly states the Indonesian comments: government’s view on West Papua. It is also demonstrated the importance of the FMM’s trip Furthermore, the statement of Mr.
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Kalosil is simply in contradiction with that Indonesia’s diplomatic offensive over West the visit of a high-level delegation of the Papua was well underway. Despite the heartfelt Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) support for the West Papuan struggle within the members representing Melanesian Vanuatu government and the country as a whole, Community to Indonesia from 11 to 16 this sentiment is much weaker in the other January 2014 in which Ministerial Melanesian countries. Their support for the cause Level Delegation of Fiji, Papua New has waned as their financial and strategic Guinea, Solomon Islands and relationship with Indonesia has blossomed, and representative of the Front de Liberation it is hard to separate these two developments. Nationale Kanak et Socialiste (FLNKS) The financial and strategic support from of New Caledonia as well as MSG High Indonesia can be clearly linked to the withdrawal Representative conducted in situ visit to of support by the MSG states for West Papua. Papua province and obtained firsthand The clearest example of this has been Fiji. information94.
Finally the Ambassador referred to one of the agreements signed by Kilman as Prime Minister, as being somehow breached by Kalosil’s statement:
Worse, his statement is also in contradiction to the will of the Vanuatu Bainimarama and Yudhoyono. Image credit (http://foto.okezone.com/view/2011/04/06/1/2143/sby-menerima-pm-fiji-voreqe-bainimarama) government itself towards its relation
with Indonesia as reflected in the 2011 Indonesia-Fiji Diplomatic Entente Bilateral Development Cooperation Agreement that provides a legal Fiji had been one of the MSG countries actively framework for the two countries to promoting the membership of West Papua, or at respect each other’s sovereignty, unity, least its ‘observer status’, which Indonesia also and territorial integrity and principles enjoys. The late WPNCL leader, John Otto of non-interference in each other’s Ondawame, had an enthusiastic response from internal affairs95. Fiji Prime Minister, Bainimarama, when he visited Suva for talks with the Fijian government
This open diplomatic confrontation was evidence over the proposed MSG membership in March
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2013. However these talks did not ultimately sale (leaving Pacific Islanders landless), are result in Fijian support for the Papuans’ MSG strongly resisted by many Islanders, and also bid. deeply resented as external interference in purely domestic issues. Fiji had been suspended from the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) in 2009 under pressure from While the PIDF may have had a degree of Australia and New Zealand followinglegitimacy amongst some Pacific nations it was Bainimarama’s coup in 2006. This was an the role played by Yudhoyono at the PIDF forum attempt, along with other sanctions, toin June 2014 which transformed the nascent diplomatically isolate Fiji and the Bainimarama organisation into one which threatens the regime until free and fair elections were held for established architecture of international relations a new government. Bainimarama responded by in the South Pacific. forming a rival organization to the PIF, the Even before the PIDF meeting Indonesia was Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF), maneuvering to suppress the West Papua issue. which had its inaugural meeting in Suva in early The Vanuatu’s Daily Post newspaper saw August 2013, to which Australia and New Indonesia’s US$30,000 contribution to Fiji to help Zealand were not invited96. fund hosting the United Nation’s regional While regional concerns about the Bainimarama meeting of the Special Decolonization Committee regime are legitimate, Fiji also has well-founded as blatant manipulation: “Jakarta’s cheque book grievances against Australia and New Zealand. diplomacy reflects its determination to silence Pacific countries often felt that the PIF was any murmurs of regional support or discussions dominated by the ‘big two’ whose economic, within the MSG on the issue of re-enlisting West military and diplomatic power dwarfed the Papua back on the decolonisation list”97. It seems many small nations of the Pacific. Serious to have been money well spent for Indonesia as concerns among Pacific nations, such asthere was scant mention of West Papua in the restrictive visa policies, the threat of climate official forums, despite local moves by some change and rising sea levels, and the offshore church groups to have the issue aired. processing of asylum seekers, were brushed The depth of Indonesian engagement with Fiji aside by Australia. While Australian became apparent at the PIDF held on June 17-19, development aid is substantial to all the PIF 2014. Yudhoyono was the chief guest and countries, many policies pushed by Australia, keynote speaker at the event, which focused on such as the registration of traditional land as a climate change and sustainable development. It precursor for its commodification and possible
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was the first visit to Fiji by a serving Indonesian development and security, or our firm support president and the length of the stay – three days for West Papuan freedom, we cannot allow the – shows just how important the Indonesians state visit to cloud our prudence and better judged the event. Espousing the benefits of a judgment”100. closer relationship between Indonesia and the This is the core of the conundrum. It is no secret Pacific Island states, Yudhoyono made firm that the Melanesian countries have serious commitments to increase aid and engagement. problems with poor governance and widespread Amongst other things he promised US$20 million corruption. There are human rights abuses over five years to address the challenges of outside of West Papua, with Fiji itself being climate change and disasters; talked of plans to virtually a military dictatorship. The MSG triple trade to a billion dollars in coming years, countries need more transparency, not less since and outlined how Indonesia could act as a bridge it is one of the few effective remedies for reining for the Pacific and Indian Ocean states98. in corruption, along with an independent Yudhoyono suggested Indonesia would become judiciary. In PNG billions of dollars of foreign aid the conduit by which the Pacific Island states and a recently resurgent economy have not (especially Fiji) could interact with the dynamic translated into improved living standards and Asian region and the wider world. better public services for the majority of people. The PIDF meeting also seemed to acknowledge In many areas, such as the Sepik River region, the ‘terms of trade’ of the Indonesian-MSG states basic services have gone steadily backwards relationship: on the one hand there would be since independence. The chief explanation for silence by the Pacific leaders on West Papua, and this is poor governance and corruption. on the other hand (as ex-Editor of the Fiji Times, Bainimarama was ecstatic over the success of the Netani Riki, put it) Indonesia “would not rock PIDF meeting and Yudhoyono’s visit. He called it the boat on questionable governance, “one of the greatest things that has ever transparency and human rights issues”99. This happened to Fiji”101. Yudhoyono must have been Faustian pact should have had alarm bells highly pleased with the visit too: there had been ringing in Canberra; there are already voices of no mention (at least publicly) of West Papua, and concern being raised in the Pacific. Reverend the substitution of Indonesia in the ‘big brothers’ Francois Pihaatae, General Secretary of the role traditionally played by Australia, New Pacific Council of Churches, commented, “Where Zealand and the US was being openly discussed. our self-determination interests are concerned, For Bainimarama there was an added bonus: it whether it be in the areas of governance, was agreed Indonesia would co-lead the multi-
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national group of observers that monitored Fiji’s 8. The Leaders: September 2014 general election. As it turned out, (i) Noted and accepted the contents of Bainimarama retained the premiership102. the Ministerial Mission’s Report;
Bainimarama’s diplomatic maneuverings also (ii) Agreed to invite all groups to form continued within the MSG, of which Fiji had an inclusive and united umbrella group Chairmanship during 2012-2013 leading up to the in consultation with Indonesia to work Noumea summit. As mentioned, the MSG had on submitting a fresh application; been originally formed to support the FLNKS in New Caledonia and their desire for (iii) Welcomed and noted the progress independence from France. However the MSG on greater autonomy in Papua and the diminished in importance after the Matignon recent announcement by the President Accord was signed in 1988, which allowed for a of Indonesia to withdraw the military referendum on New Caledonia’s future after ten from West Papua; years. During this period the New Caledonians (iv) Endorsed that the MSG and agreed not to raise the issue of independence. Indonesia take a more proactive Bainimarama reinvigorated the MSG by bringing approach in addressing the issue of the issue of West Papuan membership into the West Papua and Papua by undertaking mix before doing an about turn and getting closer the initiative to conduct greater to Jakarta. awareness on the situation in Papua and West Papua Provinces with The Decision respective to the Special Autonomy As discussed, the prospective membership of the Arrangements and how this has WPNCL in the MSG was deferred in June 2013 contributed positively to the pending the FMM fact-finding trip to Indonesia Governance of the Provinces by the local in January 2014. The MSG’s decision was population; formally announced at the MSG meeting in Port (v) Endorsed that the MSG continue to Moresby on June 26, 2014. As a result of hold dialogue with Indonesia on the Indonesia’s successful intervention into issue of West Papua and Papua and Melanesian regional politics, the application by encourage and support the the WPNCL was rejected. The official establishment of bilateral cooperation communique announced that: arrangements with Indonesia with specific focus on social and economic
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development and empowerment for the the Federal Republic of West Papua (FRWP), the people of Papua and West Papua influential activist movement the Komite Nasional Provinces; Papua Barat (KNPB) and the pro-Indonesian West Papuans, as well as Melanesians from other parts (vi) Endorsed that MSG Members and of Indonesia, collectively put in an application, Indonesia consider holding regular with the approval of the Indonesian government. Meetings at Ministerial and Officials Given the deep antagonisms among these level to discuss (iv) and (v); various groups and the individuals who lead (vii) Endorsed that MSG in them, a united application will be a difficult consultation with Indonesia work undertaking, although in a seminar at the together in addressing the development University of Sydney on June 30, 2014 West needs of the Papua and West Papua Papuan ‘dialogue’ diplomat Octo Mote spoke of Provinces; the recently articulated willingness of WPNCL leaders, leaders of the FRWP within West Papua, (viii) Endorsed that MSG encourage the and those of the KNPB to work together in this strengthening and participation of regard. The longstanding opposition of Jakarta to Melanesians in Indonesia in MSG the inclusion of West Papua in the MSG will also Activities and Programmes; and obviously be a barrier, although, according to (ix) Endorsed that the MSG continue to Mote, West Papuans can appeal to the MSG that support and encourage the level of the FLNKS did not need France’s approval to join Melanesian involvement in executive, the MSG so why should West Papua need management and controlling positions Indonesia’s? in private enterprises such as the Bank of Papua and at political levels103. On the other hand, optimists have expressed the view that this potential unity grouping may be able to create a forum in which serious This represents a substantial victory for negotiations could take place between the Indonesian diplomacy in thwarting WPNCL various segments of West Papuan society and the attempts to join the MSG. The decisions taken by Indonesian government104. While this may appear the MSG, in effect, give the Indonesian unlikely, the diplomatic power plays between the government a veto over MSG policy on West Pacific nations and Indonesia are far from over. Papua. Apparently West Papuan membership Vanuatu, which has always supported the will only be reconsidered if the competing WPNCL and boycotted the FMM, continues to Papuan independence groups: the WPNCL and
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advocate on West Papuas’ behalf. Recently politics of individual countries. They do not have installed Vanuatu Prime Minister, Joe Natuman, the over-riding motivation that Indonesia has to has raised the prospect of referring the case of thwart the activities of West Papuan West Papua to the International Court of Justice, independence activists. declaring: “We consider seeking an opinion on Conclusion the legal process held by the UN when it handed
105 over West Papua to Indonesia”. The In the current state of Melanesian regional announcement of a Reconciliation Conference to politics, it appears that the cultural and historical be held in Port Vila in August 2014 between the affiliations of West Papuans with other various West Papuan groups, who are still Melanesians are threatened by regional hopeful of jointly gaining a place at the MSG realpolitik. The MSG’s decision regarding West 106 table, shows that this process is far from over . Papua’s status has a diplomatic veneer but a Indeed there is something intrinsically Pacific duplicitous core—without directly rejecting any about how the negotiations are unfolding in the future West Papuan bid for membership the face of the seemingly insurmountableMSG has placed seemingly insurmountable communique issued by the MSG excerpted obstacles in the way. Jakarta can be satisfied that above. its policy of engagement with the MSG has so far yielded the hoped for results. However, West Of course there are other major players in the Papuan independence activists continue to Pacific region, particularly the US with its own maneuver for official status in the MSG, buoyed hegemony over the Micronesian countries and by the considerable sympathy and support that sovereign status over the Hawaiian Islands, many organisations and individuals have for although the US does not play a significant role their cause. in MSG diplomacy. China is also engaged in the region, with multiple interests in PNG from the Fiji’s PIDF may cement West Papua’s hyphen ownership and management of mines such as status between Asian Indonesia and the non- Ramu Nickel to a voracious appetite for raw Anglo Pacific, sacrificing Melanesian solidarity materials, including timber. As in many other with West Papua for assumed economic benefits regions, China is also purchasing bothand closer political ties with Indonesia. But agricultural and residential real estate, especially ignoring Indonesia’s undemocratic actions in in countries amenable to foreign investment such West Papua is unlikely to yield a more peaceful as Vanuatu. Yet these players have been much and democratic region. Thus, while Melanesia’s more cautious in straying into the domestic regional elites may have taken the lead in
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fostering the region’s cultural identity during Sepik River region of PNG since 1983 as a political decolonisation, Melanesia’s burgeoning civil economist, tribal art dealer, film consultant and society now has a significant role to play in cultural [email protected] pressuring their governments to promote the (https://apjjf.org/mailto:[email protected]) West Papuan cause. The MSG has reached a Recommended citation: Camellia Webb-Gannon turning point and must decide whether it values and Jim Elmslie, "MSG Headache, West Papuan West Papuan human rights over the potential Heartache? Indonesia's Melanesian Foray",The economic benefits of increasing political Asia-Pacific Journal, Vol. 12, Issue 47, No. 3, engagement with Indonesia. November 24, 2014.
Camellia Webb-Gannon is a Research Fellow at the Notes Justice Research Group at the University of Western
Sydney and is the Coordinator of the West Papua1 Margaret Jolly notes that Pacific scholars such as Project at the University of Sydney. Camellia receivedEpeli Hau’ofa prefer the term ‘Oceania’ for the her PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies from theregion that encompasses the Pacific and parts of University of Sydney in 2012 with a thesis examiningAsia. Although originally a colonial label, the dynamics of unity and conflict within West‘Oceania’ has been endogenised and claimed by Papua's independence movement. Her recent researchPacific Islanders in contrast to the term ‘Asia- considers the impact of digital technologies on human Pacific’ which derives from foreigners’ ‘policy rights advocacy as well as local interpretations of speak’ (see also Arif Dirlik, 1992. ‘The Asia Melanesian indigenous rights, Melanesian self- Pacific Idea: Reality and Representation in the determination movements, and concepts and Invention of a Regional Structure’,Journal of mechanisms of justice in the Pacific region.c.webb- World History 3:1, pp. 55-79) and carries [email protected] hegemonic connotations (Margaret Jolly, 2008. (https://apjjf.org/mailto:[email protected]); ‘The South inSouthern Theory: Antipodean @camwebbgannon Reflections on the Pacific’
Jim Elmslie is a Visiting Scholar and co-convener of(http://www.australianhumanitiesreview.org/a the West Papua Project, the Centre for Peace andrchive/Issue-March-2008/jolly.html), Australian Conflict Studies at the University of Sydney. His PhDHumanities Review 44). entitled Irian Jaya Under the Gun: Indonesian 2 Indonesian senior government advisor Dewi Economic Development versus West Papuan Fortuna Anwar has justified this approach, Nationalism, was published by the University of claiming, “there are more Melanesians living in Hawaii Press. Jim has been closely involved with the Indonesia, not just in Papua, than in the Pacific.
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We have people of Melanesian origin living in 7 See for example Winston Tarere’s article of May Maluku and in Ambon and in the NTT province 2, 2014: ‘Indonesia Exercises Cheque-Book of Indonesia” (Radio New Zealand International, Diplomacy Ahead of UN Decolonization Jakarta Defends Its Policy Approach in Papua RegionConference’ (http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/programmes/(http://www.dailypost.vu/content/indonesia-e datelinepacific/audio/2564537/jakarta-defends-its-xercises-cheque-book-diplomacy-ahead-un- policy-approach-in-papua-region), August 5, 2013). decolonization-conference), Daily Post.
3 An independence movement has been8 See Ron Crocombe, 2007. Asia in the Pacific underway in the Maluku Islands since 1950 and Islands: Replacing the West, IPS Publications, Suva, in West Papua since 1964. pp. 301-302. While the Pacific region is the localised arena in which Indonesia and West 4 Michael Smith and Maureen Dee, 2003. Papua are engaged in their current power Peacekeeping in East Timor: The Path to struggle, the UN has been the longest standing Independence, International Peace Academy diplomatic battleground for attempts to establish Occasional Paper Series, Boulder; Matthew ultimate sovereignty over West Papua. LeRiche and Matthew Arnold, 2012. South Sudan: Supporters of West Papuans’ right to self- From Revolution to Independence, Columbia determination, including Senegal and several University Press, New York City. other African countries, registered their
5 Chris Ballard, 1999. ‘Blanks in the Writing: opposition to Indonesia’s takeover of West Papua Possible Histories for West New Guinea’, Journal at the UN as long ago as 1969 after a sham of Pacific History 34:2, pp. 148-155. referendum over the territory’s sovereignty was overseen by the UN, and as recently as March 6 There have been media, political, academic and 2014 when Vanuatu’s former Prime Minister activist initiatives such as International Lawyers Moana Carcasses Kalosil used the Human Rights for West Papua, International Parliamentarians Council to lambast Indonesia over its human for West Papua, several ABC national network rights violations in West Papua. stories on West Papua in 2012 and 2013, a US 9 Congress hearing on Crimes Against Humanity: Papuans settled in the highlands of New Guinea When Will Indonesia’s Military Be Held Accountablebetween 40,000 and 50,000 years ago. for Deliberate and Systematic Abuses in West Papua 10 Austronesians came to the Pacific in 2010, and the Biak Massacre Citizens Tribunal approximately 4000 years ago. held by the West Papua Project at the University of Sydney in 2013, to name a few examples. 11 Crocombe, 2007, p. 3.
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12 Clive Moore, 2003.New Guinea: Crossing 17 Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, is separated from Boundaries and History, University of Hawaii Jayapura, West Papua’s largest city, by 3785 Press, Honolulu, pg. 62. kilometres, from PNG’s capital, Port Moresby, by 4,449 kilometres, from Vanuatu’s capital, Port 13 See for example Pieter Drooglever, 2005. An Act Vila, by 6,777 kilometres, from Solomon Islands of Free Choice: Decolonization and the Right to Self- capital, Honiara, by 5,852 kilometres, from New Determination in West Papua, One World, Oxford, Caledonia’s capital, Noumea, by 6,621 p. 65. kilometres, and from Fijji’s capital, Suva, by 7,847
14 The figures range, depending on whether kilometres. deaths resulting from direct violence only are 18 See for example Danilyn Rutherford, 2003. counted, or those following on from starvation Raiding the Land of the Foreigners: The Limits of a and other forms of systemic violence are taken Nation on an Indonesian Frontier,Princeton into account. University Press, Princeton; and Richard
15 See Crocombe 2007, pp. 281-298; Carmel Chauvel, Constructing Papuan Nationalism: Budiardjo and Soei Liong Liem, 1988. West Papua: History, Ethnicity and Adaptation, Policy Series, 14 The Obliteration of a People, Tapol, London; East West Center Washington, Washington D. C., testimonies on the Biak Massacre Tribunal pp. 41-47. John Conroy, on the other hand, writes website (http://www.biak-tribunal.org/); and that the contiguity between the Melanesian and Elizabeth Brundige, Winter King, Priyneha Asian regions contributes to making the Vahali, Stephen Vladeck and Xiang Yuan, “contrasts between them more piquant” (2013. Indonesian Human Rights Abuses in West Papua:‘The Informal Economy in Monsoon Asia and Application of the Law of Genocide to the HistoryMelanesia: of West New Guinea and the Malay Indonesian Rule, Allard K. LowensteinWorld’, Crawford School Working Paper, The International Human Rights Clinic, Yale Law Australian National University, Canberra, pg. 6). School, 2004. 19 See David Webster, 2001-2. ‘Already Sovereign
16 Jim Elmslie and Camellia Webb-Gannon, 2013. As A People: A Foundational Moment in West ‘A Slow Motion Genocide: Indonesian Rule in Papuan Nationalism’, Pacific Affairs, 74:4, pp. West 507-528. Papua’ (http://griffithlawjournal.org/wp-content/uplo 20 See Roger Keesing and Robert Tokinson (eds), ads/2014/02/glj_elmslie_webb-gannon.pdf), 1992. ‘Reinventing Traditional Culture: The Griffith Journal of Law and Human Dignity 2:1. Politics of Culture in Island Melanesia’, Special
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Issue, Mankind 13:4; one example of invented 27 Ibid, p. 22. national tradition in West Papua is the Yospan 28 Indonesia derives much of its revenue from the dance, made up of dance steps from Biak and an largely United States-owned gold and copper area near Jayapura—see Rutherford, 2003, pp. mine Freeport McMoRan operating in West 99-105. Papua, depends on West Papua for relieving 21 See for example Ronald May on Melanesian overpopulation on Indonesian islands, uses West ‘political style’: 2004. ‘Political Style in Modern Papua as roaming ground for its defense force, Melanesia’ in State and Society in Papua Newand takes national pride in its ‘territorial Guinea: The First Twenty-Five Yearsintegrity’—West Papua inclusive. (http://press.anu.edu.au/sspng/mobile_devices 29 Fiji has historically tended to identify with a /ch03.html), ANU E-Press, Canberra; and Clive “Pacific Way” which favours Polynesian cultural Moore on Melanesianwantokism , or the identifiers. Fiji did not join the Melanesian preferential treatment of those with whom you Spearhead Group until 1996, 10 years after the identify most according to common language, or Group’s formation, when its regional in a wider conception, at nation-state or regional identification began to shift (see Lawson, 2013, p. levels: 2008. ‘Pacific View: The Meaning of 19). Politics and Governance in the Pacific Islands’,
Australian Journal of International Affairs,62:3, p. 30 See Epeli Hau’ofa, 2008. We Are the Ocean: 392. Selected Works (http://www.australianhumanitiesreview.org/a 22 Crocombe, 2007, p. 296. rchive/Issue-March-2008/jolly.html), University 23 Feminist Media Studio, ‘James Clifford On of Hawaii Press, Honolulu; Jean-Marie Tjiabou, ‘Becoming’ Indigenous’1996. Kanaky, Pandanus Books, Canberra; (http://vimeo.com/78776772), Vimeo Interview. Bernard Narokobi, 1983. The Melanesian Way, University of the South Pacific, Suva; and Jolly, 24 Margaret Jolly, 2007. ‘Imagining Oceania: 2008. Indigenous and Foreign Representations of a Sea of Islands’, The Contemporary Pacific 19:2 p. 521. 31 Ronald May, 2004. State and Society in Papua New Guinea: The First Twenty-Five Years 25 Interview with Selwyn Garu, Port Vila, (http://press.anu.edu.au/sspng/mobile_devices Vanuatu, July 20, 2009 /index.html).
26 Lawson, 2013, p. 22. 32 See Lawson 2013, p. 2 and p. 21.
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33 Ibid, p. 14. (http://www.sdsp.nl/) Press Statement from 12 November 2012. 34 See Tracy McFarlane, 2010. ‘Experiencing Difference, Seeking Community: Racial,43 Public Institute of Pacific Policy, 2008.‘MSG: Panethnic, and National Identities among Female Trading on Political Capital and Melanesian Caribbean-Born US College Students’, American Solidarity’ Review of Political Economy8:2, p. 101. (http://www.pacificpolicy.org/wp-content/upl oads/2012/05/D02-PiPP.pdf), Briefing Paper .2 35 See Narokobi, 1983. 44 The FLNKS is the only member of the MSG that 36 See Lawson, 2013, p. 17. is not a state, but an indigenous political
37 Ibid, p. 15. organization.
45 38 See Narokobi, 1983, pp. 49-57; and Lawson, Radio New Zealand International, June 6, 2013. 2013, p. 12. ‘FLNKS Formally Invites West Papua to Attend MSG Meeting’ 39 Crocombe, 2007, p. 301. (http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/new-c
40 aledonia/1415/flnks-formally-invites-west- Kirsten McGavin, 2014. ‘Being ‘Nesian’: Pacific papua-to-attend-msg-me/), Islands Business. Islander Identity in Australia’, The Contemporary
Pacific 26:1, p. 126. 46 See Jennifer Robinson, March 21, 2012.‘The
41 UN’s Chequered Record in West Papua’ MacFarlane, 2010, p. 101. (http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2
42 For example, HIV infection rates in the 012/03/201232172539145809.html), Al Jazeera. province are 40 times the Indonesian national 47 West Papua National Coalition for Liberation, average (see S. Rees and D. Silove, 2007. June 2014. ‘MSG Update’, Morning Star Newsletter ‘Speaking Out About Human Rights and Health 6:1. in West Papua’, The Lancet 370(9588) pp. 637-639; for another example, indigenous West Papuans 48 However, as Jason MacLeod notes, when the have an infant mortality rate of 18.4 per cent, President of the Federal Republic of West Papua, whilst the infant mortality rate among the non- the incarcerated Forkorus Yaboisembut, heard of indigenous population in West Papua is 3.6 per the WPNCL’s application, he wrote to the cent—see Stella Peters and Wouter Bronsgeets, Director General of the MSG withdrawing his 2012. ‘Extremely High Infant Mortality in West government’s application and offered support for Papua Result of Discrimination’
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the WPNCL (see Jason MacLeod, July 1, 2013. ‘A ‘Vurobaravu better placed to deal with West Win For West Papua In Melanesia’Papua at the MSG’ (http://newmatilda.com/2013/07/01/win-west- (http://www.dailypost.vu/content/vurobaravu papua-melanesia), New Matilda). -better-placed-deal-west-papua-msg), Daily Post.
49 Australian Association for Pacific Studies, April 53 Kiery Manassah, February 2014.‘The MSG 24, 2014. ‘Q&A with Ralph Regenvanu, Session Knows It Has Unfinished Business Regarding on West Papuan Activism. The University of West Papua’ Sydney. Similar issues plagued the East Timorese (http://pacificpolitics.com/2014/02/west-papua independence political party, FRETILIN (and -an-unfinished-agenda/), Public Institute of Pacific various of the other East Timorese resistance Policy. groups), from the 1970s to the 1990s, due to 54 Johnny Blades, July 23, 2013. ‘One Voice: West continued ambushes by the Indonesian military, Papua’s Demand for Greater Independence Has ideological differences, and personal leadership Not Gone Unheard By Other Melanesian States” feuds (Charles Call, 12.Why Peace Fails: The (http://m.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/23/ Causes and Prevention of Civil War Recurrence, west-papua-pacific-self-determination), The Georgetown University Press, Washington D.C., Guardian. pp. 137-138.
55 Rowan Callick, February 15, 2014. ‘Julie Bishop 50 MacLeod writes that Indonesia was sufficiently Move to Bring Fiji in From Cold’ worried about MSG support for West Papua that (http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affa for the first time ever it invited five governments irs/policy/julie-bishop-move-to-bring-fiji-in- to observe Papua/West Papua (see Jason from-cold/story-fn59nm2j-1226827773519), The MacLeod, July 1, 2013. ‘A Win For West Papua In Australian. Melanesia’
(http://newmatilda.com/2013/07/01/win-west- 56 Islands Business, February 2014.‘MSG papua-melanesia), New Matilda). Cohesion in Doubt?’ (http://www.islandsbusiness.com/2014/2/we-s 51 Solomon Star News, August 15, 2013.“Lilo ay/msg-cohesion-in-doubt/) Islands Business. Lured by Indonesian President”
(http://www.solomonstarnews.com/news/nati 57 Arto Suryodipuro, January 25, 2014. ‘Building onal/18505--lilo-lured-by-indonesian-president), Relations with Pacific Island Countries’ Solomon Star News. (http://www.thejarkartapost.com/news/2014/0 1/25/building-relations-with-pacific-island- 52 Winston Tarere, February 27, 2014.
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countries.html), The Jakarta Post. 3, 2014. ‘Fiji Musician Seru Serevi Releases West Papua Song’ 58 Ina Parlina, June 20, 2014. ‘RI to Boost Ties with (http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international Pacific Island Countries’ /radio/program/pacific-beat/fiji-musician-seru- (http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/06 serevi-releases-west-papua-song/1278722), /20/ri-boost-ties-with-pacific-island- Pacific Beat, ABC Radio Australia. countries.html), The JakartaPost. 65 Tabloid Jubi 59 Winston Tarere, May 2, 2014.‘Indonesia (http://tabloidjubi.com/en/?p=1425), March 3, Exercises Cheque-Book Diplomacy Ahead of UN 2014. Decolonization Conference’ (http://www.dailypost.vu/content/indonesia-e 66 Winston Tarere, February 27, 2014. xercises-cheque-book-diplomacy-ahead-un- ‘Vurobaravu Better Placed to Deal with West decolonization-conference), Daily Post. Papua at the MSG’ (http://www.dailypost.vu/content/vurobaravu 60 Ibid. -better-placed-deal-west-papua-msg), Daily Post.
61 Tabloid Jubi, March 3, 3014.‘Indonesia 67 Johnny Blades, July 23, 2013. ‘One Voice: West Accused of Meddling in Fiji Affairs’ Papua’s Demand for Greater Independence Has (http://tabloidjubi.com/en/?p=1425), Tabloid Not Gone Unheard By Other Melanesian States’ Jubi. (http://m.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/23/
62 Islands Business, March 4, 2014.‘Fijian Ties west-papua-pacific-self-determination), The Move, Indonesians with Papuans Fly In’Guardian. (http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/fiji/47 68 Nic Maclellan, June 22, 2013.‘Somare Says 84/fijian-ties-move-indonesians-with-papuans- MSG Must Serve the Region: West Papua fly-in/), Islands Business. Roadmap Approved’
63 Shalveen Chand, February 10, 2014.‘Fiji’s (http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2013/06/somare-say Tavola Defends MSG Meeting in Indonesia, s-msg-must-serve-the-region-west-papua- Ambassador Says It Was Opportunity to ‘Seek roadmap-approved/), Pacific Scoop. Bilateral Agreements’ 69 Makereta Komai, June 20, 2013.‘Sir Michael (http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2014/ Somare Exhorts MSG To Include West Papua In February/02-10-02.htm), Pacific Islands Reports. Its Activities’
64 Seru Serevi in interview with Bruce Hill, March (http://www.pina.com.fj/index.php?p=pacnews
26 APJ | JF 12 | 47 | 3
&m=read&o=152284964551c28ff06cc8cc9a0e7b), Papua’ PACNEWS. (http://freewestpapua.org/2014/04/16/png-op position-officially-supports-a-free-west-papua/), 70 Islands Business, June 19, 2013. ‘West Papua Free West Papua.org. Part of Indonesia: PNG PM’ (http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/indon 76 Jason MacLeod, July 1, 2013. ‘A Win For West esia/1556/west-papua-part-of-indonesia-png- Papua In Melanesia’ pm/), Islands Business. (http://newmatilda.com/2013/07/01/win-west- papua-melanesia), New Matilda. 71 Ina Parlina and Margareth S. Aritonang, January 17, 2014.‘Melanesians Respect RI’s 77 Solomon Star News, August 15, 2013. ‘Lilo Sovereignty’ Lured by Indonesian President’,Solomon Star (http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/01 News(link no longer live). /16/melanesians-respect-ri-s-sovereignty.html), 78 Solomon Star News, June 19, 2013. ‘PM to The Jakarta Post. Introduce New Concept Paper to MSG’ Solomon 72 Bagus Bt Saragih and Margareth S. Aritonang, Star News (link no longer live) January 14, 2014. ‘After Observing Papua, MSG 79 West Papua National Coalition for Liberation, Ministers to Meet SBY’ June 26, 2013. ‘Statement Regarding the MSG (http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/01 Decision on West Papua’ /14/after-observing-papua-msg-ministers-meet- (http://pacific.scoop.co.nz/2013/06/statement-r sby.html), The Jakarta Post. egarding-the-msg-decision-on-west-papua/), 73 PNG Industry News.net, March 10, 2014. Pacific Scoop. ‘Innocent Occupation’ 80 Blades, July 23, 2013.The Guardian. (http://www.pngindustrynews.net/storyview.a (http://m.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/23/ sp?storyid=824215590), PNGINndustryNews.net. west-papua-pacific-self-determination) 74 Catherine Wilson, December 29, 2013.‘West (http://m.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jul/23/ Papua Searches Far for Rights’ west-papua-pacific-self-determination) (http://www.ipsnews.net/2013/12/west-papua
-searches-far-rights/), InterPress Service. 81 Radio New Zealand International, August 29, 2013. ‘Solomons Prime Minister Says Indonesia 75 Free West Papua.org, April 16, 2014.‘PNG Will Meet All Trip Costs’ Opposition Officially Supports a Free West (http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=rea
27 APJ | JF 12 | 47 | 3
d&id=78691), RNZI. January/01-23-03.htm), Pacific Islands Report.
82 Ini Parlina, August 13, 2013.‘Indonesia, 88 Interview with John Otto Ondawame, Port Solomon Islands Leaders Talk About Papua’ Vila, Vanutau, April 12, 2013. (http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2013/08 89 Bobakin, March 21, 2013. ‘Vanuatu PM Kilman /13/indonesia-solomon-islands-leaders-talk- Resigns’ about-papua.html), The Jakarta Post. (http://vanuatudaily.wordpress.com/2013/03/2 83 Solomon Star News, August 15, 2013. ‘Lilo 1/vanuatu-pm-kilman-resigns/), Vanuatu Daily. Lured by Indonesian President’,Solomon Star 90 Interview with John Otto Ondawame, Port News(link no longer live). Vila, Vanutau, April 12, 2013. 84 Islands Business, June 24, 2013. ‘FSII Condemns 91 UN News Centre, September 28, 2013. Solomon Islands PM’s Declaration On West ‘Vanuatu Urges Inclusive Development, Pledges Papua’ to Continue Speaking Out Against Colonialism’ (http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/solom (http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?Ne on-islands/1589/fsii-condemns-solomon - wsID=46117#.U886C7yfgUQ), UN News Centre. islands-pms-declaration-on-w/), Islands Business.
92 Pacific Media Centre, March 2, 2014. ‘Vanuatu 85 Nic Maclellan, June 18, 2013.‘MSG to Send PM Blasts Indonesian Human Rights Violations Mission to Jakarta and West Papua’ in West Papua’ (http://www.islandsbusiness.com/news/new-c (http://www.pmc.aut.ac.nz/articles/vanuatu-p aledonia/1540/msg-to-send-mission-to-jakarta- m-blasts-indonesian-human-rights-violations- and-west-papua/), Island Business. west-papua), Pacific Media Centre. 86 Makereta Komai, June 18, 2014. ‘West Papua 93 Tabloid Jubi, March 6, 2014. ‘Indonesia Decision Deferred’ Strongly Rejects the Statement of Prime Minister (http://www.pina.com.fj/?p=pacnews&m=read of Vanuatu’, Tabloid Jubi, link no longer live. &o=69284240851bf77600b09f2818ddee),
PACNEWS. 94 Ibid.
87 Radio New Zealand International, January 22, 95 Ibid. 2014. ‘Umbrella Papuan Group Suggested To 96 Apply For Australian NetworkMSG’ News, August 8, 2013. (http://pidp.eastwestcenter.org/pireport/2014/ ‘Inaugural Meeting of the Pacific Island Development Forum Ends with Allegations of
28 APJ | JF 12 | 47 | 3
Sabotage’ (http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=27197 (https://apjjf.org/admin/site_manage/details/ 7), The Fiji Times Online. ABC.net.au/news/an-pacific-islands- 101 Tevita Vuibau, June 23, 2014. ‘Plea for West development-forum-wrap/4873060), Australian Papua’ Network News. (http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=27228 97 Winston Tarere, May 2, 2014.‘Indonesia 6), The Fiji Times Online. Exercises Cheque-Book Diplomacy Ahead of UN 102 Radio New Zealand International, June 19, Decolonization Conference’2014. ‘Indonesia to Co-lead Fiji Observer Force (http://www.dailypost.vu/content/indonesia-e (http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacifi xercises-cheque-book-diplomacy-ahead-un- c-news/247659/indonesia-to-co-lead-fiji- decolonization-conference), Daily Post. observer-force), Radio New Zealand International.
98 Radio New Zealand International, June 19, 103 Special MSG Leaders’ Summit, 26 June 2014. 2014. ‘Indonesia to Strengthen Ties with Fiji’s ‘Communique’, National Parliament, Port Moresby, PIDF’ Papua New Guinea. (http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacifi 104 Radio New Zealand International, July 2, 2014. c-news/247675/indonesia-to-strengthen-ties- ‘Jakarta/West Papua Talks Urged’ with-fiji’s-pidf), Radio New Zealand International. (http://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacifi 99 Neatni Rika, June 19, 2014,‘All Aboard the c-news/248848/jakarta-west-papua-talks-urged), Gravy Train as SBY Visits Fiji’Radio New Zealand International. (http://www.crikey.com.au/2014/06/19/all-ab 105 Tabloid Jubi, July 2, 2014. ‘The Government of oard-the-gravy-train-as-sby-visits-fiji), Vanuatu Will Continue Raising the Issue of West Crikey.com. Papua to the UN’, Tabloid Jubi, link no longer live. 100 Tevita Vuibau, June 20, 2014. ‘Plea for West 106 Papuans believe MSG will support new Papua’ application, Vanuatu Daily Post,July 8, 2014.
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