Bougainville News 17-Sept-97 id BAA18531; Thu, 18 Sep 1997 01:47:16 -0400 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit BOUGAINVILLE NEWS 17-Sept-97 The National Newspaper (PNG), 17 September, 1997 Bolger optimistic about peace talks By ANDREW HUDDART WELLINGTON: New Zealand expects to host high-level talks early next month aimed at bringing Bougainville closer to peace, Prime Minister Jim Bolger said yesterday. Mr Bolger told parliament the peace talks would likely be at the senior official level, bringing the PNG government into a forum of Bougainvillean parties that drew up an outline peace plan in July in a meeting at Burnham army base near Christchurch. "The prospects are that senior officials, this time from all the parties involved, including the government of PNG, will meet in Burnham for direct talks commencing in early October," Mr Bolger said. After 17 days of talks in July, some 70 delegates from factions involved in Bougainville's nine-year-old secessionist conflict drew up the Burnham Declaration, which committed the signatories to a future negotiation process with the PNG government. New Zealand officials have been keen to note that Wellington only provides logistical support for the talks and is not a direct party to the negotiations. They expect the next meeting to start on Oct 1 or 2 and run for about eight days, but would not comment on its prospects for success in advancing the process to the next stage. However, diplomatic sources familiar with the problems of the region called the result of the first Burnham meeting "the most moderate and forward-looking declaration ever". They were also optimistic that plans by PNG Prime Minister Bill Skate to visit New Zealand when the talks resume could help the chances of success. Key parties invited to the next round of talks include the PNG government and the Bougainville Transitional Government (BTG) that it sponsors. Rebels and their allies the Bougainville Interim Government (BIG) are also expected to take part. New Zealand officials said they did not know if rebel leader Francis Ona would attend the talks. He declined to take part in the first round and initially criticised the Burnham Declaration before being convinced of its merit by his allies. Nevertheless, diplomats believe that Mr Ona continues to harbour concerns about the way the island would be governed if a military withdrawal could be negotiated and order restored. This issue is expected to be addressed by the next round of talks, which are expected to draw up detailed plans for implementing a cease-fire and some form of troop withdrawal. Mr Bolger said regional leaders gathering later this week in the Cook Islands for the annual South Pacific Forum would also have an opportunity to discuss the peace process, although not as a formal agenda item. He added he was looking forward to meeting and having discussions this week with Mr Skate, whom he called "a strong supporter of the Burnham process". - Reuter ============= 'Forum should tackle Bougainville' WELLINGTON: South Pacific governments should pressure Papua New Guinea to address human rights issues in Bougainville during the annual South Pacific Forum, Amnesty International said yesterday. The three-day forum summit begins in the Cook Islands today (Thursday, PNG). Amnesty International's New Zealand executive director, Ced Simpson, said in a statement that stability and security in the South Pacific could not be achieved without stopping human rights violations on Bougainville. Amnesty said unlawful killings, 'disappearances,' illegal detention and torture have been committed by the PNG army, the paramilitary resistance forces and the rebels. "These abuses have had spill-over effects in the region - including refugee outflows and border incursions - underlying the need for regional governments to recognise that protection and promotion of human rights on Bougainville can only lead to greater security throughout the whole region," Mr Simpson said. He called on the SP Forum at its annual meeting to pressure the PNG government to take the measures necessary to protect human rights on Bougainville and to ensure that human rights are a fundamental component of any peace talks. - AAP ========= Investors meeting set for December PORT MORESBY: The PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum will host its third Investment Conference in Sydney on Dec 1 and 2. The conference is designed to stimulate investment in the resources sector in PNG. It provides potential investors up-to-date information about investment from those at the helm of business and government organisations in the country. The conference will be attended by chief executive officers and other senior representatives from mining and petroleum companies, brokers, resource analysts, institutional investors, bankers and other financiers, government and public sector officials, as well as representatives of support service industries vital to the operations of resource developments in PNG. The conference organisers hope to attract 400 delegates. Speakers at the conference will include senior government ministers from PNG and executives of some of the world's leading resource companies like Chevron, BP, Orogen, Rio Tinto, and Placer Pacific. The conference will also feature an industry trade fair, two working breakfasts and a special dinner. The trade fair will give an opportunity for organisations to interact with the most influential government and business representatives of PNG's mining and petroleum industry. Exhibitors can display their corporate insignia, publications, videos and other promotional tools. The trade fair runs in conjunction with the two-day conference. ==================== For further information, please contact: Bougainville Freedom Movement PO Box 134, Erskineville. NSW 2043 Australia Tel: (+61-2) 9558.2730 source: "Vikki John" ================================================================= 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-09.18.97-01:47:20-12200