WEST PAPUA: OPTIMISTIC ABOUT MSG MEMBERSHIP BID.

West Papua independence leader optimistic about MSG membership bid

Updated 22 June 2015, 9:17 AEST

In Solomon Islands, the foreign ministers of the Melanesian Spearhead Group are meeting in Honiara today, ahead of the leaders summit later this week.

West Papua independence leader optimistic about MSG membership bid (Credit: ABC) 

Top of the agenda is the application by the umbrella group Free West Papua movement for membership of the MSG which is likely to divide the grouping with Fiji saying no, PNG muted in its support and Solomon Islands offering observer status.

Vanuatu and the FLNKS are the unknowns - for the moment.

Independence leader Benny Wenda from United Liberation Movement of West Papua, says he is still hoping for full membership status in the MSG.

Reporter: Richard Ewart

Speaker: Benny Wenda from United Liberation Movement of West Papua