Dame Josephine calls for Papuan sovereignty

FORMER Milne Bay and Central Governor Dame Josephine Abaijah says Papua (in Papua New Guinea) is still a dominion of the United Kingdom and should remain under the British Crown.
Dame Josephine, 82, was responding the debate over whether Papua New Guinea should remain in the Commonwealth after the passing away of Queen Elizabeth II.
“I am saying that we remain part of the Commonwealth.
“If Australia decides to leave, then let them go,” she said.
“I don’t want to have anything to do with them because they were the ones who threw us out.
“We will decide whether we want to remain with the Commonwealth.
“We have everything to gain if we remain.”
She was governor of Central from 1977 to 1982, and of Milne Bay from 1997 to 2002.
She wants Papua — made up of Central, National Capital District, Milne Bay, Northern, Western and Gulf – to be a country of its own,” she said.
“This is the time for Members of Parliament (MPs) to get together and make a stand.
“We will never be united with the New Guineans.
“Make a stand.
“Save your country and save your people.”
Dame Josephine said Papua, a British territory, would remain with the British Crown, while New Guinea was a German territory.
“We were never united.
“It’s Australia which put us together in the ignorance of our fathers,” she said.
“I want New Guinea and Papua to be separate, because they have equal land population and resources and they must have their own government.
“I’m determined and I don’t care what other people think of me but that is what must happen.
“New Guineans go back to New Guinea, Papuans to stand up and take on your land.”
“I want Papua to be an independent country, I said it many times and I will never stop talking about it.”