UN General Assembly
2013

always been consistently denied any sort of recognition by the United Nations. It is clear from many historical records that the Melanesian people of West Papua were the scapegoats of Cold War politics and were sacrificed to gratify the appetite for the natural resources that the country possesses. Today, they are still victims of the ignorance of the United Nations. If the United Nations representative at the time, Mr. Fernando Ortiz-Sanz, described the West Papuan issue as a cancer growing on the side of the United Nations and that it was his job to remove it, it is very clear today from what we have observed that that cancer has never been removed, but merely concealed. One day it will have to be treated. We must not be afraid. The United Nations has made mistakes in the past. We must admit our mistakes and see that we are the stronger for that, because when we are weak, admit our mistakes and take corrective action, we become stronger and more alive. As Members of the United Nations, we all subscribe