West Papua Governor Bram Ataruri (Jubi)
Sentani, 22/6 ( Jubi )— While Papua has confirmed its participation in the 5th Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture on 28 June, West Papua Province does not seem to have been invited.
“When will it start? I don’t have an idea. I would surely come if invited. If the Australian or Papua New Guinea Ambassador was here, I should express my disappointment to them,” West Papua Governor Bram Ataruri told to reporters in Sentani.
He pointed out Papua, West Papua and Papua New Guinea are located on the same island.
“It could be said we are living in a house of three rooms. So if Papua New Guinea celebrates its independence or organizes a cultural festival, they must invite us along with Papua. If we are not invited, I would think we are not brothers,” he said.
Further mentioning the absence of PNG representatives in the Sentani Lake Festival, he said the Governor of Papua New Guinea should be invited to the festival.
Earlier, the Head of the Border and International Cooperation Body of Papua Province, Suzan Wanggai said Papua would participate in the 5th Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture that will be held from 28 June to 11 July at the Kokopo Beach, Pomio Regency of East New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea.
“The Papua delegation is ready. We are still keeping our coordination with the local committee, the Indonesian Embassy in PNG and the Ministry of the Foreign Affairs in Jakarta,“ Wanggai said. (Jubi/Alberth/rom)
