HONIARA – Indonesia has been admitted to the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) nad West Papua has been given observer status.

In a break from protocol, Papua New Guinea’s prime minister released a statement announcing the decision before a joint communique was released.

In the statement, PNG prime minister Peter O’Neill said the leaders of the MSG made the decision to admit Indonesia as an associate member during the summit in the Solomon Islands.

The MSG is due to release a joint communique today, outlining the same.

It is usual for announcements of MSG leaders decisions to be made by its chair, but O’Neill’s office in Port Moresby broke the news announcing that Indonesia is to be associate member of the group and that the United Liberation Movement of West Papua has been granted observer status.

“Today is a very important day for peace and goodwill for our brothers and sisters living in Indonesia’s Melanesian provinces,” O’Neill’s press announcement said.

“Following discussion between the leaders of Melanesian Spearhead Group countries, the group has decided that Indonesia is to be admitted to MSG as an associate member, represented by the elected leaders of the Melanesian provinces.

“Further to this, the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) will be given observer status as a development partner representing the welfare of Melanesian people living outside.”

The announcement was titled ‘A breakthrough in engaging with Indonesia’s Melanesian provinces’.

“This decision by MSG will pave the way for Indonesia and Papua New Guinea to engage in consultation within the framework of agreement with Indonesia,” O’Neill said.

“I look forward to having deeper conversations with Indonesia and in the true spirit of being part of a regional family. We are all partners in facilitating peace and security in our region.

“I believe we have the respect of Indonesia for the honesty and genuine nature of our offer to offer cooperation on this sensitive, issue.

“ I further believe that groups such as ULMWP appreciate that our intentions are genuine.

Officials of the MSG Secretariat declined to confirm PNG’s announcement or comment on its breach of MSG protocol.

One senior official said all announcements would be made tomorrow, at the release of the summit’s communiqué.

“I look forward to having deeper conversations with Indonesia and in the true spirit of being part of a regional family,” O’Neill was quoted as saying.

“We are all partners in facilitating peace and security in our region. I believe we have the respect of Indonesia for the honesty and genuine nature of our offer to offer cooperation on this sensitive issue.

“I further believe that groups such as ULMWP appreciate that our intentions are genuine.”

The ULMWP had hoped to follow in the footsteps of New Caledonia’s FLNKS in obtaining full MSG membership without being a sovereign government, thus giving it its first recognition in an international summit since it was incorporated into Indonesia.

O’Neill’s announcement came ahead of he and the other four leaders of the MSG signing the communiqué at a dinner at the Mendana Hotel in Honiara.

This event was also scheduled to take place the day before, but was reportedly brought forward as Fiji’s Prime Minister was be returning to Fiji.

No reason has been offered for Bainimarama’s decision to leave the summit early.