Media Release
Arawa, - Bougainville
Wednesday 3rd March 1999
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Acting Co-Chairman of Bougainville Constituent Assembly James Tanis,
Warns of Possible Complication Of Peace Process Caused by
"Proposed Joint New Zealand Defence Force and PNG Defence Force
Reconstruction Program" on Bougainville.
The joint NZ Defence Force and the PNG Defence Force proposed Reconstruction
Program on Bougainville, is in grave danger of stymieing the current peace process;
warned Mr. James Tanis, Acting Co-Chairman of the recently elected Bougainville
Constituent Assembly.
"We have now come to the most sensitive stage of the Bougainville peace process
where all parties are now seriously discussing the issues of: -
+ Withdrawal of the PNGDF and Police Riot Squad from Bougainville,
+ The Disposal of Arms by the BRA and the Resistance Forces, and
+ The Election of the Bougainville reconciliation Government.
The deployment of the Joint NZ Army and PNGDF Reconstruction team is a
new prickly and sensitive issue that we could do without at this stage, whilst we
are trying to implement Lincoln Agreement" said Mr.Tanis from Arawa.
"Any matters to enhance the peace process must go through the Peace Process
Consultative Committee (PPCC), and I can not recollect this 'joint NZ and PNG
army reconstruction proposal' go through this process. The BRA now has a
Disposal Arms Program that will be put through the PPCC; where we also expect
the PNGDF to do the same by submitting their Withdrawal Proposal, in the second
week of March".
"I am appealing directly to the New Zealand Government and Minister for
Foreign Affairs Mr.Don McKinnon to understand our position and our concern
for this peace process. In not allowing and creating another unnecessary
impediment (of its own making) to be in the way of the Bougainville peace process
at this most sensitive stage", concluded Mr.Tanis from Bougainville.
CONTACT: +(872) 761 338 978 - For Further Information.
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