OPM Diplomatic and Foreign Affairs Welcomes Prime Minister of New Zealand’s Fresh Plea on Pilot Phillip
PRESS STATEMENT
Welcomes Prime Minister of New Zealand’s Fresh Plea on Pilot Phillip
Australia 10 August 2023
On behalf of TPNPB OPM and West Papua as a nation in waiting, we welcome the recent plea made by Prime Minister of New Zealand Hon. Chris Hipkins about his country’s citizen taken hostage by TPNPB OPM 7 February 2023. Prime Minister’s statement on the peaceful resolution was a positive initiative. A peaceful resolution via negotiation is the only viable way to justify what is wrong in our homeland and how we might progress the wider politically motivated humanitarian crisis of which this hostage issue is a part. However, resolution of the hostage situation must recognise that there was justification for Philip Mehrtens’ capture, which must be recognised as part of the resolution of his situation.
The TPNPB-OPM asks the international community to support our call for an internationally mediated peace resolution for release of Mr Mehrtens, and to discuss our demands resolving this longest armed conflict in our region. Our key demand is there be a three-party negotiation between the TPNPB-OPM, Indonesia and New Zealand. We reiterate that talks are necessary to achieve freedom and peace in West Papua, including for Mr Mehrtens.
These TPNPB-OPM fighters under Egianus Kogoya have provided for the good welfare and security of Mt Mehrtens and we are happy to report that his current condition is energic and healthy. The TPNPB-OPM want to make Mr Mehrtens and his family happy by allowing his release and we under understand this has been a challenging time for his family. It is also a challenging time for the people of West Papua. As people with a humanitarian concern, we understand how they feel and would like to see its resolution.
We recognised that New Zealand was one of many countries including the Australia, France and the UK, along with the United Nations, that attended the creation of the West Papua state on 1 December 1961 when the Neiuw Guinea Raad first raised the Morning Star flag alongside the Netherlands flag across the Territory.
Akouboo Amatus Douw
Head of Foreign Affairs & Diplomatic Council
TPNPB-OPM / Free Papua Movement
PRESS STATEMENT Welcomes Prime Minister of New Zealand’s Fresh Plea on Pilot Phillip Australia 10 August 2023 On behalf of TPNPB OPM and West Papua as a nation in waiting,…