Parkop hails move to include Indonesia

 NATIONAL Capital District Governor Powes Parkop has thanked the Government for working with Indonesia to address issues in West Papua.

Parkop said no Government or prime minister in the past had the courage to raise the issue with Indonesia in the way Prime Minister Peter O’Neill had done.

 “As a lifelong campaigner for Free West Papua, I congratulate the Prime Minister and the Government for raising and dealing with the West Papuan issues with the Government of Indonesia,” Parkop said.

He said the West Papua issue had been an ongoing concern for PNG and the steps taken so far would begin a process “which I am confident will lead to an amicable and dignified outcome for all”.

“I welcome the intentions of the PNG and Indonesian governments to have the two provinces of Papua represented at the Melanesian Spearhead Group,” he said.

“This is a way forward and beginning of a process and not a setback.”

Parkop said the concept of allowing Indonesia to be accepted as an observer at the MSG was part of an ongoing process to build confidence, bring peace and discuss the future in an open, frank and amicable atmosphere.