OPM establishes branch in Vanuatu

JAKARTA: The Indonesian government is seeking clarification from the Vanuatu government regarding reports a branch of the Free Papuan Organization (OPM) separatist movement has opened in the Pacific country.

Indonesian foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda said on Tuesday that an official letter questioning the reports was sent by the Indonesian embassy in Canberra, but had not been responded to.

"We would like to know whether the decision came from the Vanuatu government or only from a certain member of its cabinet." Hassan said.

Indonesia has won support from Pacific countries over its sovereignty over Papua. Vanuatu has officially refused to acknowledge OPM as an anticolonial movement. --JP