The Vanuatu government has assured that it maintains its stand on the decolonisation of West Papua from Indonesian rule. Foreign Minister Joe Natuman made the assurance in response to a march which highlighted the issues of West Papuan independence and human rights. More than a thousand people marched though the main street of Port Vila this morning and presented a petition to the Foreign Affairs Minister.
The event was organised by the Vanuatu Free West Papua Association and supported by the national council of chiefs and the Vanuatu Union of Workers. Speaking during the occassion, Opposition Leader Ham Lini accused the government of changing its position on independence for West Papua. But Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Natuman told Hillaire Bule that the government's stand on the issue has not changed.
Presenter: Hillaire Bule
Speaker: Vanuatu's Foreign Affairs Minister, Joe Natuman