MEDIA STATEMENT
8 March, 2000
BOUGAINVILLE LEADERS REJECT GOVERNMENT'S START AGAIN PEACE PROCESS
In a significant show of unity the Bougainville leadership today threw out
the Government's proposals on Bougainville during the second day of the
second round of political negotiations being held on Buka Island.
The proposals are contained in the National Government's counter offer
titled 'Framework to Developing Autonomy in Bougainville' presented by the
leader of the National Government delegation Sir Michael Somare yesterday.
A broad calition of Bougainville leaders including the Leitana Council of
Elders, the BPC, President Joseph Kabui and the Bougainville Government Mr
John Momis said the Government proposal is full of inconsistencies and was
an insult to their intelligence. It wants to start the whole process again
and ignores all that has been achieved so far.
"It appears that the Government is receiving its directions from the
Bougainville Office for Peace and Restoration rather than the other way
around and that is from the leaders," said Mr Joel Banam, Chairman of
Leitana Council of Elders.
Mr Momis said, "the Government wanted a unified Bougainville position and
we provided it. They promised action once that occurred and now they have
not lived up to their promise."
"To say that Bougainvilleans are disappointed is an understatement," said
Mr Momis adding that the future of the negotiations will depend on whether
or not the politicians in the Morauta Government can take control of the
bureaucrats.
But the Bougainville parties remain committed to the Bougainville peace
process.
Mr Kabui while delivering his brief response to Sir Michael's presentation
acknowledged the National Government's commitment to continue dialogue on
the issues of autonomy and referendum for Bougainville.
"The issues form the main agenda for negotiations contained in the
Bougainville package presented to the National Government in December last
year."
"It is on the Government's agreement to negotiate the terms of referendum
and autonomy that preserves the continuation of the Bougainville Peace
Process," said Mr Kabui.
With a view to continue the negotiations, the Bougainville Leaders today
presented a detailed response together with a plan for Bougainville's future.
END.
For further information, please contact
Mr Moses Havini,
Bougainville Respresentative,
Sydney.
Ph: + 61.2.9804.7632
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