A West Papuan leader says Indonesian lobbying of regional governments should not dilute the case for West Papuan membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group.
United Liberation Movement for West Papua secretary-general Octo Mote. Photo: Supplied
The comment from the secretary-general of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua, Octo Mote, follows visits by Indonesia's Foreign Minister to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Fiji.
Retno Marsudi's visits came as MSG countries consider a membership bid by the Movement.
Ms Marsudi's talks in Fiji resulted in Indonesia committing 20 million US dollars to a MSG capacity building programme.
Mr Mote says Jakarta can forge closer ties with Melanesia but doesn't have an argument against the West Papuan MSG bid.
"Therefore the only way they can is to give money. But where is this money from? This money is blood money. That money is from West Papua. Indonesia doesn't have resources, except from Freeport McMoran [which operates a large mine in Papua], except from British Petroleum (which operates a large gas project in Papua), except from many other natural resources in West Papua."
