Bougainville News 10/15/97 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source: VIKKI@lexsun.law.uts.edu.au Mon Oct 20 03:36:55 1997 BOUGAINVILLE UPDATE The Guardian October 15, 1997 PNG-Bougainville truce Representatives of the National Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Bougainville Transitional Government (BTG), the Resistance, the Bougainville Interim Government (BIG) and the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) signed a truce at the conclusion of talks at Burnham army camp (New Zealand) on October 10. The Burnham Truce reaffirms the principles contained in the Burnham Declaration signed by Bougainville leaders last July. These principles include unity and reconciliation, a process for negotiations, a cease-fire, a neutral peace-keeping force, demilitarisation of Bougainville, the lifting of the blockade, and a political settlement (non-military) whereby "the people of Bougainville, as a people, freely and democratically exercise their right to determine their political future." This month's discussions at Burnham military camp brought Bougainville leaders face to face with PNG government and military leaders. The truce recognises the desirability of taking immediate positive measures: * to cease armed conflict; * for peace and reconciliation; and * for the return of normalcy and the restoration of services by all parties. The Truce contains interim measures pending a formal meeting of leaders to be held by January 31, 1998. The parties have agreed to: * respect and promote basic human rights and fundamental freedoms; * refrain from all acts of intimidation and armed confrontation; * promote peace and reconciliation in the community; and * lift all restrictions, so as to restore freedom of movement and delivery of services to the people of Bougainville subject to appropriate clearances. The signatories recommended to the PNG Government and Bougainville leaders on Bougainville that they "immediately invite a neutral regional group to monitor the terms of this agreement". There will be regular meetings of Field Commanders of the PNGDF, the Resistance and BRA and Village Chiefs to consult and review progress and resolve any incidents which may arise. The meeting was hosted by the New Zealand Government with support from the Australian Government. This is the sixth attempt to find peace since 1990. PNG has on previous occasions failed to honour undertakings and cease-fires. It remains to be seen how genuine the new PNG Government is -- whether it will honour the Burnham Declaration and Truce or attempt to use it to strengthen its position. Moses Havini, international representative of the Bougainville Interim Government in Australia and a participant in the talks, emphasised that the truce is not a cease-fire. He said it was an interim measure, part of a peace and reconciliation mechanism. "We need to work and effectively develop an environment of peace", he said. ================================================================= NY Transfer News Collective * A Service of Blythe Systems Since 1985 - Information for the Rest of Us 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 http://www.blythe.org e-mail: nyt@blythe.org ================================================================= nytpac-10.21.97-13:52:23-26434