Bougainville News 10/30/97 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source VIKKI@lexsun.law.uts.edu.au Wed Oct 29 20:54:41 1997 The National (PNG) Newspaper 30/10/97 Cops re-charge Sandline activists PORT MORESBY: Police have re-instituted charges of unlawful assembly on four Melsol and Nango activitists who were cleared of those charges in July this year. Police on Sunday re-charged by summons Powes Parkop, John Napu, John Oata and John Kavovo on one count each of unlawful assembly for their part in the Sandline protests early this year. Mr Parkop, who confirmed the charges, described the police action as baseless. "It is not correct in law and I cannot see any basis for it,'' Mr Parkop said yesterday. He said they had all the opportunity to prosecute them in the first place and were not ready. ''Unless there are other motives for it, I cannot see any reasons for this.'' He said he was surprised when told by the police that they were under extreme pressure to re-activate the charges. Mr Parkop said they would oppose the charges. The four activists will appear in court for mention on Monday. ===================== High-level delegation to visit B'ville today RABAUL: A high-level assessment team will arrive in Buka today to observe the peace process currently under way on Bougainville, a senior government official said yesterday. The official from the Bougainville Transitional Government (BTG) office in Buka, said a delegation of three Australians, three New Zealanders and six Papua New Guineans representing their respective governments, will assess the situation following the signing of the Burnham Truce. "The delegation consists of very senior defence personnel and Government representatives from the three respective countries. They are expected to arrive tomorrow (today) from Port Moresby as a follow-up to the Burnham Truce and to assess the current peace process," said the official who requested anonymity. Security Force Forward Tactical Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Tarua Falaniki, also confirmed that the delegation will visit Bougainville today but he was reluctant to give details of the group's itinerary. "Yes, the delegation will be here in Buka tomorrow (today)," said Lt-Col Falaniki. The Australian and New Zealand High Commissions in Port Moresby also refused to divulge details of the delegation's visit when contacted yesterday. "Speak to (the Department of) Bougainville Affairs," said a woman at the New Zealand High Commission, when contacted for comment. =================== Top rebel attends 2 peace meetings Reconciliation talks continue in B'ville By PHILIP KEPSON RABAUL: The rebel commander for north-east Bougainville, Eddie Mohin, has said he is keen to see the restoration of normalcy on the island. Mr Mohin was speaking during two important reconciliation meetings with the parties involved in pursuing peace talks on Bougainville, according to Security Force Forward Tactical Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Tarua Falanaki. Mr Mohin impressed the pro-peace groups when he appeared with more than 15 rebels at the two reconciliation meetings - one held on Tuesday last week and the other on Monday this week - and shook hands with members of the security forces, chiefs, civilians and representatives of the Bougainville Transitional Government. Lt-Col Falanaki, who was present at both the reconciliation meetings held at the Siarra security forces camp, said that Mr Mohin's attendance at such gatherings, and particularly his gesture of shaking hands with security force members and resistance fighters, was the first such occurrence since the crisis erupted nine years ago. "It is indeed a big positive sign from his rebel faction on the peace process which is currently in progress after the recent signing of the Burnham Declaration and the Burnham Truce," said Lt-Col Col Falaniki. He also said that since the reconciliation meetings began on Oct 10, it was also the first time to see the resistance fighters, security force members, rebels, civil servants, civilians and representatives of the BTG working together with the common purpose of promoting peace. Further reconciliation meetings are scheduled to be conducted at Wakunai, Arawa, Tinputz and Sovele, Buin and Siwai in South Bougainville, he said, adding that the meeting at Wakunai was expected to take place yesterday. "The two reconciliation meetings at Siarra were the first big ones. We now have chiefs, civil servants, rebel leaders and other interested parties currently carrying out the ground work in North, South and Central Bougainville to prepare for more such meetings," said Lt-Col Falaniki. He added that one interesting development since the beginning of the reconciliation meetings was the free movement of people between various parts of the island. "The reconciliation meetings among parties involved in the peace process will go on until early next year because it is an important part of the Burnham Declaration and Truce that we have to promote, so that other things can fall in line," said Lt-Col Falanaki. ======================= Nuia's arrest proper: Nama By DANIEL KORIMBAO PORT MORESBY: A soldier charged with mutiny told a court martial yesterday the operation that involved the detaining of Defence Force Commander Leo Nuia on July 28 was proper and done to neutralise the activities of the Special Operations Group (SOG). Captain Belden Nama, a member of the Special Forces Unit who was second in command of the Operation Rausim Kwik, said he carried out the orders because troops were fed up with the tension caused by the presence of the SOG. Capt Nama said he considered the operation, dubbed operation ''Klinim Ples'', consistent with the nature of SFU operations and that something had to be done to neutralise the ''illegal'' activities of the SOG at the barracks. The captain is charged with mutiny along with Major Walter Enuma, Capt Bola Renagi, Lieutenant Michael David and Second Lt Linus Osoba for their part in placing Brigadier General Nuia and SOG commander, Lieutenant Colonel Karl Malpo under house arrest that day. Brig-Gen Nuia was released that afternoon on directions from Prime Minister Bill Skate in the form of a press statement delivered to the SFU by then acting Defence Minister Simon Kaumi and Personnel Management Secretary Peter Tsiamalili. Asked by Justice Mark Sevua if he considered his action to be legal, Captain Nama said ''in a sense, yes, because the SOG was going about doing illegal activities and something had to be done about it.'' Justice Sevua then asked if he thought courts would have been the better avenue to deal with any complaints against SOG, the captain said knowing Brig-Gen Nuia, he would have been threatened if he took the matter to court or went out of the military to sort the problem. He said he believed the SOG, set up by Brig-Gen Nuia after his appointment, was to target and go after SFU members and soldiers who took part in Operation Rausim Kwik. He recalled several incidents of intimidation and harassment, including his detention on June 29 when he was thrown in the military cells with other soldiers without being formally charged. He said he asked why he was arrested and protested as he was also sick with malaria, but was told by Major Maltis, in the presence of Captain Puipui and two armed soldiers, that they were carrying out orders from Brig-Gen Nuia. He was later told he was detained for being absent without leave and was released after eight hours, but continued to be under 'close arrest' for some time. He said he was surprised with his detention because, under normal military rules, officers such as himself could not be put under detention unless facing imminent dismissal. Capt Nama said he had gone away on emergency leave in April and upon his return in May, the situation at the barracks was getting back to normal because of the efforts of the command restoration team. He said the return to normalcy was, however, punctured on July 12 by the arrest of Corporal Alan Nanguromo by SOG members outside a nightclub at the Airways Motel. >From then on tension started mounting. He said numerous complaints were made about the actions of SOG to higher officers, but nothing was done about it. Capt Nama said on July 26, he accompanied Capt Renagi to see Prime Minister Bill Skate about the activities of SOG and the arrest and detention of Major Enuma by police. The captain did not elaborate on what was discussed. He said SFU members launched operation ''Klinim Ples'' two days later. He said that he had no part in the initial planning of the operation. Major Enuma was forcefully freed from custody that morning by soldiers believed to be SFU members. During cross-examination, Capt Nama said troops were still loyal to former commander Jerry Singirok after his sacking, but were taking orders from Major Enuma in respect of Rausim Kwik, as the operation was still going on. He refuted suggestions that troops loyal to Singirok were refusing orders from PNGDF headquarters, leading to break down in command and control at the barracks. The hearing will continue next Monday. ================================================================= 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-10.31.97-12:59:11-11407