Hassan to attend South Summit Dialog

JAKARTA: Indonesia says it is confident that it will get the support of the Pacific countries for its territorial jurisdiction over Papua province during the South Summit Dialog at the 36th Pacific Island Forum in Papua New Guinea later this week.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda said here on Thursday that he would meet his counterparts from the Pacific nations during the dialog, at which Indonesia is considered a partner.

"Just like at the past Pacific Island meetings, it appears that they will reiterate their support for the Unitary Republic of Indonesia, including Papua," he said before leaving for Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, later in the day to the attend the dialog.

Several Pacific nations have frequently criticized Indonesia for human rights abuses, blamed on the security forces, in Papua.

Hassan said he is ready to listen to the concerns of his counterparts about the human rights situation in Papua. --JP