The Melanesian Spearhead Group meeting in the Solomons next week is crucial in many respects.
It will, for one thing, determine the future of the MSG solidarity.
Originally set up as a voice of the Melanesian bloc, the MSG unity has been found wanting on some issues.
There has been no clear position by the MSG on the issue of West Papua and the role of New Zealand and Australia in the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF). Tagged to this is the MSG position on the future of the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF).
The importance of this Honiara meeting is underscored by the fact that Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama will lead the Fijian delegation.
Minister for Foreign Affairs Ratu Inoke Kubuabola usually represents Fiji. He will also attend as part of the delegation.
West Papua
It is generally known that MSG members have different positions on West Papua. Vanutau supports the struggle by some Papuans for independence from Indonesia. The United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), the newly-formed West Papuan co-ordinating body which comprised the three main resistance groups, namely Federal Republic of West Papua, West Papua National Parliament and West Papua National Coalition for Liberation submitted their application for MSG membership in Port Vila, in February.
From Fiji’s perspective, the growing relationship with Indonesia on the diplomatic, trade and economic fronts is a major consideration. Given Indonesia’s stringent position on West Papua and the ULMWP’s equally strong stand, it would not be an easy decision for Fiji. This is after Fiji was instrumental in getting Indonesia admitted as an observer at the MSG.
Papua New Guinea is changing its position from the past that West Papua was an integral part of Indonesia. It used to be reluctant to talk about alleged human rights abuses or on behalf of Melanesian separatists.
In a major policy shift in February this year, PNG’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill promised to do more to speak out on behalf of Melanesians in West Papua.
“Sometimes we forget our own families, our own brothers, especially those in West Papua,” Mr O’Neill said.
Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Milner Tozaka says the Democratic Coalition for Change (DCC) Government has decided to maintain the last government’s position to go along with a united stand on the West Papua’s bid for full membership of the MSG.
Minister Tozaka said the MSG would make a united stand on the question of West Papua’s bid for membership adding, as chair of the MSG meeting next week, it could not just make decisions on an ad-hoc basis.
He said the coalition government had decided to maintain the last government’s position to go along with a united MSG stand.
PIF and PIDF
Fiji may struggle to get other MSG members to endorse its views on NZ’s and Australia’s roles in the PIF because they still depend on them for aid.
Fiji wants NZ and Australia to relinquish their membership of PIF and become donor partners.
There should be no problem with PIDF because MSG members see it as a development agent and a voice for the small island nations.
Fiji is likely to get full support on its position on climate change.
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