Kisah Perjuangan
The "Morning Star" was raised this morning in the Municipal Town Hall
By Winston Tarere
Dec 1, 2005, 17:28

The red and blue which carries the blood of West Papuan and their resources and the tears of mothers weeping for their children and land was hoisted by the Lord Mayor of Port Vila Paul Avock.

The local government, which governs 40,000 residents living within the municipal area, joined thousands of people around the world by raising the flag today to demonstrate the Council's support towards independence for West Papua.
Lord Mayor Avock and his council informed the West Papua International representative for OPM Dr. John Ondawame and Andy Ayamiseba of their intentions during an official visit to the council on Monday.

"We had our first meeting with Dr. John and Andy on Monday and we discussed briefly several issues that would help the West Papuan cause for independence and areas of mutual benefit between Port Vila and West Papua."
"We resolved to commit Port Vila to the struggle by joining thousands around the world who will be raising the West Papuan flag on December 1."

"Apart from that we also discussed the possibility of a sister city arrangement between Port Vila city and the capital city of West Papua, Jayapura," Lord Mayor Avock said. Former Deputy Lord Mayor Daniel Bule says the efforts from within the Town Hall is not something new, but a continuation of the vision, principles and beliefs held by the founders of our independence, that it is a fundamental right for all countries to politically and administratively govern themselves.

"The Council would like to revive this passion of freedom the flows in our blood. Vanuatu has always advocated and had been a vehicle of support for independence for West Papua, East Timor, New Caledonia, Tahiti etc... However, it seems that the vehicle is no longer moving. It is not that they have stepped on the break, but have stepped on the clutch instead, because the engine is still running, but the truck is not moving forward."

"So in a city with 40,000 people, we need to step up and move forward and support our brothers and sisters in West Papua in everyway possible for them to achieve their independence," Former Deputy Mayor Daniel Bule said. This is the first time in the history of the Port Vila Municipal Council to come out and blatantly demonstrate its support for West Papuan independence, even though communities in suburbs such as Freswota have been raising the West Papuan flag during Vanuatu's independence celebration at Freswota field.

The Lord Mayor of Luganville and his Council have made similar commitments in the past by hosting the West Papua Cup in Luganville and hoisting the flag during Paul Hakwa's term and the current Lord Mayor's term in office.
On the first of December 2004, chiefs around Vanuatu hoisted the West Papuan flag at the Port Vila Municipal Stadium during a cultural festival that was dedicated to freedom for West Papua. This year, logistical problems have prevented the same festival on Ambrym to kick off on the 1st of December.
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