The Eastern half is now an independent member of the United Nations and has been, since 1975, as Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea is the combination of (East) Papua and New Guinea.
(East) Papua, in the South-East, had been a British Protectorate from 1884 through 1905, when it came under Australian control, as the Territory of Papua. In 1884, Germany took over the North-Eastern region, calling it Kaiser Willemsland, but during the Second World War, Australia took control and in 1920, it became known as the Territory of New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea is the combination of (East) Papua and New Guinea.
(East) Papua, in the South-East, had been a British Protectorate from 1884 through 1905, when it came under Australian control, as the Territory of Papua. In 1884, Germany took over the North-Eastern region, calling it Kaiser Willemsland, but during the Second World War, Australia took control and in 1920, it became known as the Territory of New Guinea.
The people of the island of New Guinea are Melanesian, the original people of that part of the Pacific known as the Pacific Islands, before Asians and Europeans invaded and divided the region among themselves.
The issue of West Papua is further complicated by the island’s rich mineral resources of gold, silver, copper, oil and timber.
The island is also home to a vast rainforest, which is steadily being destroyed, due to commercial demands for tropical wood. Out-dated inexpensive mining techniques also cause much pollution and a severe drought threatens the islands minimal agricultural resources.
The issue of West Papua is further complicated by the island’s rich mineral resources of gold, silver, copper, oil and timber.
The island is also home to a vast rainforest, which is steadily being destroyed, due to commercial demands for tropical wood. Out-dated inexpensive mining techniques also cause much pollution and a severe drought threatens the islands minimal agricultural resources.
The gold of West Papua is now being mined with the cooperation of the Indonesian and United States governments.
Freeport-McMoRan, Copper& Gold, a multinational corporation now mining gold in West Papua, will probably have much to say about the question of independence. Its environmental record may also need review.
Perhaps, the United Nations may also recognise its responsibilities.
Paul V. Rafferty
Please continue.
Freeport-McMoRan, Copper& Gold, a multinational corporation now mining gold in West Papua, will probably have much to say about the question of independence. Its environmental record may also need review.
Perhaps, the United Nations may also recognise its responsibilities.
Paul V. Rafferty
Please continue.