Bougainville News 10/9/97 id NAA24413; Thu, 9 Oct 1997 13:55:40 -0400 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source:VIKKI@lexsun.law.uts.edu.au Wed Oct 8 23:25:29 1997 Bougainville News The National (PNG) Newspaper - 9 October, 1997 Fund crunch forces Radio B'ville off air KOKOPO: Government awareness programs being aired on Radio Bougainville will be affected when the station closes down tomorrow. Affected would be basic extension and awareness programs that go on air as part of the restoration efforts on Bougainville, according to provincial manager Demas Kumaina. Mr Kumaina said he has already given notice to the regional office in Rabaul and the NBC headquarters in Port Moresby of the shutdown of broadcast services to the people of Bougainville. He said the K20,000 from Bougainville Transitional Government to run the station ran out long ago and it needs another K20,000 to see it through the last quarter of this year. The NBC regional office at Vunadidir said that the funding problems faced by Radio Bougainville was caused within the higher management level at the NBC. The source said an allocation of K100,000 given by the former Chan Government last year had not been released. The source said the people of Bougainville depended on the radio station and it was their source of everyday information. It is believed that premier Mr Gerald Sinato who hosts a weekly radio talk program was briefed yesterday afternoon on the situation when he went to record his program at Hutjena. The source said Radio Bougainville's balance on hand is K639.13 which runs out this week. =================== NEC approves changes to B'ville Constitution PORT MORESBY: Cabinet has approved an amendment to the Bougainville Transitional Government Constitution to allow for the inclusion of all four Bougainville MPs in the transitional government as full members. The inclusion of MPs in the provincial assemblies is provided for in the new Organic Law on Provincial and Local Level Government. "This initiative should be commended given the fact that two of these Members are in the Opposition. This indicates the attitude of openness and consultation on the part of the National Government in the search for peace and normalcy on Bougainville," Prime Minister Bill Skate said yesterday. Mr Skate said the current negotiations in New Zealand between officials of the National Government and representatives of the various parties to the Bougainvile dispute clearly indicated a genuine desire for peace on the island. "Any signs of agreement and consensus within the National Parliament will send out a clear and positive signal to the parties engaged in these talks at Burnham in New Zealand," he said. "It will also send out positive signals to the people of Bougainville, the rest of Papua New Guinea and the wider international community," the Prime Minster said. Cabinet has meanwhile advised the Head of State of the appointments while the First Legislative Counsel has been directed to draft the appropriate instruments of appointment. Meanwhile, Mr Skate also briefed the Cabinet on the successful outcome of the South Pacific Forum held in the Cook Islands last month He said the achievements at the summit included the appointment of Noel Levi as the new Forum Secretary General, endorsement of the breakthrough the Government has made in the peace process on Bougainville and the endorsement of PNG's initiative for what is now called the "Aitutaki Declaration on Regional Security Cooperation." Cabinet has endorsed the commitment of K600,000 for training of Pacific Islanders at PNG institutions under the Pacific Plan and a further K100,000 as PNG's contribution towards the funding of the new headquarters building for the SP Environment Program. ===================== Enuma illegal force case put off to Nov 7 Defence to file for dismissal PORT MORESBY: The Waigani District Court has once again adjourned the case against Major Walter Enuma in connection with the alleged raising of an illegal force in Enga province during Election '97. Magistrate David Rea adjourned the case to Nov 7 for submissions after prosecutors presented the police file on the matter to court. Major Enuma has been charged under section 52 of the Criminal Code ''for getting involved in a quasi military operation''. His counsel, Alfred Manase, who sought the adjournment, will study the police file before making a submission essentially seeking to get the matter struck out. Mr Manase said he would make a prima facie submission to throw the matter out for lack of evidence. He said at this stage Major Enuma could not be committed to stand trial as the evidence provided so far by the police did not seem to support the charge. Mr Manase said even if Major Enuma was committed to stand trial before the National Court, the likelihood of the case proceeding any further was minimal because of the inconsistencies already apparent. Mr Manase also represents 13 other soldiers held in custody in Mount Hagen on similar charges. Major Enuma, who is on a good behaviour bond for an assault conviction, is also facing court martial for mutiny following an incident involving the illegal detention of Defence Force Commander Brigadier-General Leo Nuia at the Barracks in July this year. He could also play a major role, along with sacked army commander Jerry Singirok, in the second Sandline Inquiry which begins next week. ============ For further information, please contact: Bougainville Freedom Movement PO Box 134, Erskineville. NSW. 2043 Australia Tel: (+61-2) 9558.2730 ================================================================= 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-10.09.97-13:55:41-218