MSG meetings in Vila not expected to decide on Papuan bid

A series of Melanesian Spearhead Group meetings are taking place this week in Vanuatu's capital to look at the group's membership guidelines.

Last month, the MSG secretariat scheduled this week's meeting in Port Vila for leaders of its members to discuss a West Papuan bid for full membership.

However there will not be a leaders summit component at this week's meetings, with the expectation that they will now meet early in the new year.

But today in Vila, MSG senior officials met, and tomorrow the group's foreign ministers are to meet, to discuss the findings of a constitutional committee that has reviewed MSG rules on membership.

It's understood there won't be a decision on the full membership application by the United Liberation Movement for West Papua this week.

In a sign of the sensitivity around the issue within the MSG, leaders have this year deferred a number of summits where West Papuan membership was a priority item.

The Sub-Committee on Legal and Institutional Issues was tasked by MSG leaders at their Honiara summit in July to clarify guidelines for observer, associate and full membership in the group.

The MSG's five full members - Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia's FLNKS Kanaks Movement - have been divided over whether to grant full membership to West Papuans.

The United Liberation Movement for West Papua was granted observer status in the MSG last year but its bid for full membership has been deferred pending clarity on the guidelines.

The Liberation Movement's leaders, including Octo Mote, Benny Wenda, Rex Rumakiek and Jacob Rumbiak are in Port Vila for this week's meetings.

Representatives of Indonesia, which has associate member status at the MSG, are also present.