The Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) Headquarters
Arawa
BOUGAINVILLE
Thursday, 24th June 1999.
Media Statement
The BRA and Resistance Forces are not assisting the Guadalcanal
Revolutionary Army (GRA) in the Solomon Islands.
Bougainville: In a statement released from Australia today BRA Commander
Gen Sam Kauona assured Prime Minister Bart Ulu'falu, the government of the
Solomons and its people that members of his BRA forces were not in the
Solomons assisting the GRA. Gen Sam Kauona was returning to Bougainville
after a month in Australia with his wife, who had undergone urgent special
medical treatment at the Liverpool Hospital, Sydney.
"I want to assure the people of the Solomons that it is not the policy of
the BRA to undertake cross border raids; or even assist with insurgency in
other countries. We hold the people of the Solomons and their government as
our friends and as our closest neighbor with utmost respect and honour".
"The Solomon Islands Government has been a major player, peace maker,
mediator and facilitator in the Bougainville Peace Process since 1991; and
hence, it would absolutely be ludicrous if the BRA went into the Solomons
and abused their generosity", said Gen Sam Kauona.
"Our prayers are with all the parties and people of the Solomons as they
try to negotiate a solution to this problem. And that all parties give
their utmost co-operation to the Special Commonwealth Envoy Gen. Rabuka as
he tries to bring a solution to the people of Guadalcanal and their
brothers and sisters from Malaita Province," concluded Gen Sam Kauona from
his hotel in Australia.
Further information Contact: Gen Sam Kauona:
Tel: 07 7211 474 0r 02 9804 7632. Australia
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