PNG embraces growing leadership role in the Asia/Pacific region

Transcript

Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister says that as a major focal point for foreign interests, his country has an increasingly important role as a global and regional player.

Rimbink Pato says he doesn't believe moves to assert influence in PNG by major powers like China and the US mean that his country has to choose one over the other.

Johnny Blades spoke to Mr Pato and began by asking him about widespread concerns in PNG about the government's refugee resettlement arrangement with Australia.

RIMBINK PATO: Again, this has to be looked at in the context of the partnership – a very strong partnership between Australia and Papua New Guinea. At the same time, we are members of the United Nations and consequently the United Nations convention relating to the status of refugees, which applies to both of our countries. So our deal is we'll work together on these issues in terms of resettlement in the areas of education, employment. Those are issues that are central to anyone who's determining whether or not a refugee, once it's determined that they are genuine in the determination process, they should be settled in any country. And we have said that we will withdraw the reservations under the 1951 Refugee Convention because it is reflective of a partnership where both our nations - Australia and Papua New Guinea - are going to work together to make it work, such that there is no issue that should concern the people of Papua New Guinea. Because we also want to exercise leadership in major global concerns and issues that are affecting our region. But we need to contribute to the region.

JOHNNY BLADES: Yeah, and talking of the region, would you support moves by Vanuatu to have the act of free choice revisited in the UN system?

RIMBINK PATO: Well, Papua New Guinea's position has always been that the provinces of Papua and West Papua are an integral part of the republic of Indonesia. And in our recent visit to Indonesia, which was very successful, the Indonesian president, His Excellency, President Bambang Yudhoyono, expressed his desire that the Indonesian government should take a softer approach to the Melanesian peoples of those provinces with the potential for them to be integrated into the cultural and other Melanesian activities on our side of the border. And we're looking at issues of development, prosperity and security for the border peoples together. So we don't see that that's a matter of concern. And at the same time, the Indonesian government has invited all the foreign ministers of the Melanesian Spearhead Group, which includes Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Solomon Islands, where some of these issues can be discussed openly and freely so that we can look at the success and prosperity of the peoples of Melanesia living on this side of the border.

JOHNNY BLADES: But people are worried that that mission might be manipulated by Indonesian aims. In a way, what good could it do? Isn't the military the big problem? How can you encourage Jakarta to rein in the military?

RIMBINK PATO: Well, the issue that's given rise to some of these concerns, particularly for the peoples of West Papua and Papua provinces in Indonesia is about development and prosperity? Once we address the core issues then we expect that some of those concerns will resolve themselves. Obviously, Papua New Guinea, along with all the other MSG countries, we're independent, and we want to look at mutually beneficial programmes whereby our people in the MSG group stand to prosper. And that does not mean that we will be subservient to any push by Indonesia. Because Indonesia's relationship with Papua New Guinea is a very good one, it's a very constructive one. And we are jointly working together on a plan of action where the border peoples will prosper, will benefit and they will enjoy living in security, which will mean that, obviously, the Indonesian government will be able to reign in the military.

JOHNNY BLADES: Do you think it will be able to? Because it seems to have been unable to so far, for many years, and it's built up its military there.

RIMBINK PATO: Well, we're looking at it from the point of view that Papua New Guinea's relationship with Indonesia is getting very strong. In the recent trip that we've just had, we've signed 11 memorandum agreements with the government of Indonesia, which covers a wide range of fields, where we're looking at investment and the LNG project, mining. There's the running of electricity from the Indonesian national grid to major towns in Papua New Guinea. And we're looking at the major road construction from the western side, from Merauke to the towns of Vanimo and Wewak. So, obviously, there is a strong sense of partnership. And as time goes by, I think that both governments will need to ensure there's no unnecessary interference  int terms of, say, for example, the military or the rebels, so that we can ensure an outcome which will best work and will best protect the security and the prosperity and the benefit of the people who live on both sides of the border.

JOHNNY BLADES: And that new extradition treaty, how is that going to affect the West Papuans who have fled over to your side?

RIMBINK PATO: Well, we changing legislation, we're making amendments to the legislation to ensure that those who've lived in Papua New Guinea for a long time, their applications for citizenship fees are waived so that they can easily assimilate into Papua New Guinea society. And we don't see that as an issue with the Indonesian government because no such issue has a reason. In recent times... There have been problems in the past, but, as I said, the landscape of our relationship has changed so that we don't see those as areas of concern, and we'll be able to handle them together.

JOHNNY BLADES: So you won't be extraditing West Papuans?

RIMBINK PATO: Not at this stage. And we've received no such application from Indonesia.