Communication between Nations inside Indonesian Softpower Diplomacy in the South Pacific Region
Joevi Roedyati *
Sahid University, Sahid Sudirman Residence 5th Floor, Jalan Jendral Sudirman, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Hafied Changara
Hasanudin University, Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km 10, Makassar, Indonesia.
Michael Dua
Atmajaya University, Jalan Sudirman No. 51, Jakarta, Indonesia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Political, financial and operational supports given to these small states to the separatist freedom movement (OPM) has been done in a spirit of togetherness among the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG). This international organization based on identity of Melanesian brotherhood which formed in 1986 by 4 small states in the Pacific Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon and Vanuatu, also by Kanak National Liberation Front from New Caledonia. This organization was keen enough to promote the freedom movement of OPM to achieve independence Papua, that was why Indonesia tried to achieve the membership of Melanesian Spearhead Groups (MSG), because Indonesia has a strong argument that as an island country, it has 11 million Melanesian decendants on its scattered island as Papua, Mallocca, Buton, Southeast Nusa) characterized by their hair type, skin color, body figures and have similarities to the Melanesian in the south pacific.
The emergence of political maneuver that continue to attack sovereignty of the Indonesian government against Papua, raising a view of a need to have a grand strategy to enhance more understanding and gaining supports from the small island states regarding the free movement for Papua, especially in the UN forum through public diplomacy in the perspective of communication among nations.
Keywords: A grand strategy, Melanesian brotherhoods, public diplomacy, soft power diplomacy.