Page 7 - IB Nov 2017

Whispers

relatives. from the Pacific.
He was in the blue camouflage smock, As delegates from different regions
trousers and black boots of the national were asked to stand, the Christian Coun- Front Page Limited
police. cil of Asia stood and waited for the West 117 Amy Street
His relatives spilled out of the bus Papuan representatives to join them. PO Box 12718, Suva, Fiji Islands.
and joyously mobbed the man before When the Pacific delegation was asked Tel: +679 330 3108. Fax: +679 330 1423.
he staggered aboard the late afternoon to stand, lo and behold, there were the Email: advertising@islandsbusiness.com
flight to Port Moresby. West Papuans. The reaction from the Circulation & Distribution
Meanwhile, his revelling relatives joy- Asian churches – chiefly the Indonesians Sara Vafoou
ously relieved themselves in the airport – was instant and angry. svafoou@islandsbusiness.com
car park before leaving. Several heated exchanges took place subs@islandsbusiness.com
on the side lines of the event but the Accounts
t West Papuans were adamant that they accounts@islandsbusiness.com
were part of the Pacific. Regional magazine sales agents
West Papua cause A similar incident took place in Pacific Cosmos – 89 Brisbane Street,
Busan, South Korea in 2013 when the Oxley Park, NSW, Australia
A CANOE of West Papuans is expected Pacific Conference of Churches allowed Pacific Supplies – Rarotonga, Cook Islands
to leave Biak Island in the Indonesian- the West Papuan delegation a chance to Yap Cooperative Association – Colonia, YAP,
occupied territory some time next year sing their forbidden national anthem at Federated States of Micronesia
on a journey of love. the WCC General Assembly. Paper Power Bookshop – Town Council Bldg,
Carrying 1000 kundu (traditional It’s expected that two Papuan churches Main Street, Nadi, Fiji
drums) the recently built craft will sail will seek to join the PCC this year or in Suva Bookshop – Downtown Boulevard, Suva, Fiji
east towards Papua New Guinea and is 2018. They will join two Papuan church- Fatiaki Enterprises Limited – Vakabalea St,
expected to call at several islands and es which are already part of the PCC. Lautoka, Fiji
villages. Sanatan Bookshop - Nasinu, Tebara Shopping
Complex
Along the way the travellers will dis- t Nausori Airport Bookshop – Nausori
tribute the drums in a symbolic gesture Ba Book Centre – Ba (opposite Ba Bus Station, Fiji
to show that all Papuans are Pacific No mercy Lami Pharmacy – Main Street, Lami
islanders who sing the same song. WHAT has happened to Fiji’s Mercy Kays Kona Shop – Dolphin Plaza, Suva, Fiji
That song – Free West Papua – has Commission? USP Bookcentre – USP, Laucala Campus, Suva, Fiji
been causing problems for the Indo- That’s the body which is supposed to Samabula Drugstore – Samabula, Suva, Fiji
nesian Government and its diplomats make decisions on whether prisoners Kundan Singh Supermarket – Tamavua, Suva, Fiji
throughout the region. may be allowed parole after serving the MH Superfresh – Tamavua, Suva, Fiji
So much so that an Indonesian diplo- major portion of their sentences. Methodist Bookstore – Stewart Street, Suva, Fiji
mat at the latest Pacific Islands Forum Two prisoners – former journalist Joe Textbook Wholesalers – BSP Centre Suva, Fiji
Leaders meeting in Samoa lambasted Nata and telecom network engineer Ratu MHCC – Suva, Fiji
journalists who covered an anti-Indo- Timoci Silatolu – are already eligible to 786 Supermarket – Toorak ,Suva, Fiji
nesia rally in Apia. seek release from prison after serving TOTAL Hibiscus – Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji
Tappoo outlets – Fijiwide
Preparations are underway to secure the minimum prescribed time in jail for Kundan Singh Supermarket – Arts Village,
visas and travel documents for a group their parts in the 2000 coup. Pacific Harbour, Fiji
of Papuans who plan to make the canoe Former military strongman, (Briga- Gulabdas & Sons – Beach Road, Levuka, Fiji
journey singing the freedom song. dier) Pita Driti is also eligible to seek Hachette Pacifique – Papeete, French Polynesia
There is excitement in PNG over the a life in the community after serving Kiribati Newstar – Bairiki, Kiribati
possibility of this visit long awaited by the minimum prescribed term for at- One Stop Stores – Bairiki, Kiribati
Papuans who live in exile across the tempting to overthrow the Bainimarama Robert Reimers Enterprises – Majuro, Marshall Islands
border. government. Pacific & Occidental – Yaren, Nauru
But without the Mercy Commission South Seas Traders – Alofi, Niue
t none of the men have a process with Nouvelle Messageries Caledoniennes de Presse
which to seek the remission of their – Noumea, New Caledonia
Holy smoke sentences. Wewak Christian Bookshop – Wewak, PNG
THERE were red faces at the recent Meanwhile, the United Nations has Boroko Foodworld – Boroko, PNG
UPNG Bookshop – Waigani, PNG
World Council of Churches meeting in been regaled with anecdotes about Fiji’s Wesley Bookshop – Apia, Samoa
Geneva when West Papuan delegates wonderful human rights conditions. Panatina Chemist Ltd – Honiara, Solomon Islands
decided to stand with their colleagues Officeworks Ltd – Honiara, Solomon Islands
National Stationery Supplies – Honiara,
Solomon Islands
Friendly Islands Bookshop – Nuku’alofa, Tonga
Tuvalu Air Travel, Shipping – Funafuti, Tuvalu
Like us on facebook Trade and Consultancies – Funafuti, Tuvalu
https://www.facebook.com/pages/islands-business/ Stop Press – Port Vila, Vanuatu
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Islands Business, November 2017 7