Media Release
Arawa - Bougainville
Sunday 4th April 1999.
For Immediate Release:
BRA COMMANDER ISSUES STRONG STATEMENT URGING PNG
TO HONOUR THE LINCOLN AGREEMENT.
The BRA Commander Gen. Sam Kauona issued a strong statement tonight, urging
the Papua New Guinea Government to honour the terms of the Lincoln Agreement;
Clause 4 - Withdrawal of Defence force from Bougainville; " the parties
agree to a
phased withdrawal of the PNG Defence Force from Bougainville subject to
restoration of civil authority".
"The disposal of arms by Bougainville forces and the withdrawal of the PNGDF
and Police Riot Squad from Bougainville is core to the Bougainville/PNG peace
process. The BRA leadership is fully committed to peace and we will make it
our
duty to protect that peace. We want to fully and completely demilitarised
Bougainville. Unless the PNG Government plays its part according to all the
agreements that we have signed, then peace will never be fully realised",
said Kauona.
"Whilst the BRA submitted a comprehensive and detailed "Disposal of Arms"
submission to the Peace process Consultative Committee, at its meeting on the
10th of March 1999; the PNG team on the other hand were totally unprepared.
They had nothing whatsoever by way of a detailed plan of a "phased withdrawal"
of its troops from Bougainville", said a very disappointed Kauona from
Bougainville.
"Civil authority has gradually been restored on Bougainville. By the time the
Bougainville Reconciliation Government is elected and installed in May of this
year it will be responsible for its own, policing, judiciary, education,
health, etc., ".
"Whilst the PNG Government is now in debt to the tune of $40 million to the
Sandline mercenaries, how will it continue to finance its forces on
Bougainville?
The PNGDF troops on Bougainville are now just "squatter settlements" and are
becoming a laughing matter to Bougainvilleans".
" Do not back off now PNG from the peace process. Play your part as we have
done with trust and respect since Burnham 1 and 2 and and the Lincoln
Agreement.
The victory for all of us has been the winning of peace and not the defeat
or victory
over one another other".
"You now have the time to withdraw and exit from Bougainville holding your
heads
high with dignity and respect", concluded Gen. Sam Kauona from Bougainville.
For more Information Contact: 872 762 334 134 or 872 761 338 978
Office of the BRA Commander:
Gen. Sam Kauona.
BOUGAINVILLE
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