Indonesia Strongly Rejects Separatism in MSG

Jakarta (Antara Babel)- The Indonesian government strongly rejected an intention of a separatist group called the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) to join the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG).

"A group called UMLWP is a separatist movement within a sovereign nation. The movement has no legitimacy and does not represent the Papua people," Desra Percaya, director general for Asia, the Pacific and Africa of the Foreign Ministry, was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the ministry, here Saturday.

The senior Indonesian diplomat made the statement when heading an Indonesian delegation to a ministerial level meeting of the MSG held in Lautoka, Fiji, Thursday.

The UMLWP had tried to upgrade its status as observer to a full-fledged membership in the MSG.

The effort was against the MSG establishment agreement in 2007 that respects the principles of sovereignty and does not interfere in one's internal affairs, the Indonesian government believed.

After discussions and intensive lobbying, the Indonesian delegation managed to foil the separatist group's endeavor.

The MSG recorded the application and planned to set up a committee to discuss the membership criteria.

Several MSG members wanted Indonesia to become a full member of the MSG.

Indonesia invited the MSG members to participate in the Bali Democracy Forum to be held on December 8 and 9, 2016.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Indonesian delegation head held bilateral meetings with the Fijian foreign minister, the Solomon Islands foreign minister, the PNG delegation head and the MSG Secretariat director general.