Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Former Vanuatu PM discusses Papua’s autonomy in Port Moresby

Posted at 04:06 on 13 April, 2007 UTC

It has been reported that a former Vanuatu prime minister, Barak Sope, was in Port Moresby over Easter to meet people from Indonesia’s Papua province to discuss the special autonomy granted to the province.

The chief international spokesman for the PNG-based Papua Council Presidium, Franzalbert Joku, says he was pleased with the outcome of the three-day meeting and the growing acceptance and support of the international community for Papua’s special autonomy.

Mr Joku said Mr Sope agreed commitment by both Jakarta and Papua leadership was crucial to the successful implementation of the autonomy laws enacted six years ago.