Bougainville Media Release 23/10/97 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source:VIKKI@lexsun.law.uts.edu.au Thu Oct 23 02:28:38 1997 Att: NEWS DESK MEDIA RELEASE 23 October, 1997 from Bougainville Freedom Movement. AUSTRALIA AND RIOTINTO MINING COMPANY'S WAR ON BOUGAINVILLE Peace is desperately wanted by the people of Bougainville. It appears that this is not the case for the Australian Government (and the Riotinto Mining Company?). According to a review of defence ties published by the PNG National Newspaper (23/10/97) in Port Moresby, but so far ignored by the Australian media, it seems that the Australian government has once again agreed to back Papua New Guinea's Defence Forces in future joint military operations on Bougainville. (see enclosed) Does the Australian government intend to start the war in Bougainville again? When this statement becomes known on Bougainville it could seriously hinder, indeed reverse, the present steps towards peace which have included:- *a defacto truce (not yet a permanent ceasefire); *the acceptance by all parties of the Burnham Declaration, which calls for self-determination for Bougainville. This of course must include the option of INDEPENDENCE for Bougainville. This latest statement from Canberra must be seen in the light of an earlier declaration by Australia's Prime Minister John Howard stating that "Independence for Bougainville is impossible". Does Australia's Prime Minister consider himself and his government as responsible for determining the future of another country, Bougainville? The laudable emphasis in the joint statement concerning democracy in Papua New Guinea reads rather curiously when contrasted with: * the apparent denial of the Bougainville people to determine their own future and *the apparent condemnation of popular mass actions in Port Moresby (PNG) in March 1997 by soldiers, officers and the civilian mass movement which forced the abandonment of the mercenaries "Operation Oyster" planned by Sir Julius Chan. "Operation Oyster" would have killed thousands, if not tens of thousands of people on Bougainville had it not been prevented by General Jerry Singirok, his soldiers and the people of Papua New Guinea. The joint statement on defence co-operation released last night indicated that future "co-operative activities might include Australian Defence support for achieving a lasting peace on Bougainville." Is Australia taking on the role of the Sandline International mercenaries, as it is quite apparent that PNG soldiers have had enough of killing and dying for Riotinto Mining Company. Please contact: Vikki John +(61-2) 9558.2730 BOUGAINVILLE FREEDOM MOVEMENT P.O. Box 134, Erskineville. NSW. 2043 Australia ================================== The National (PNG) Newspaper - 23 October, 1997 Australia may back B'ville defence ops CANBERRA: The Australian government has tentatively agreed to back Papua New Guinea in future military operations on Bougainville following a review of defence ties. A new joint statement on defence cooperation released last night raised the prospect of "Australian defence support for achieving a lasting peace on Bougainville". Australia's refusal to support the PNG military against the decade-long rebellion on Bougainville was cited as a major factor by the former government of Sir Julius Chan in its disastrous decision to hire Sandline mercenary forces last year. All-party talks now underway in New Zealand have produced a ceasefire. The Australian government has offered assistance to the PNG government but until now stopped short of offering military peace-keeping forces specifically in Bougainville. In return for a pledge to assist in future internal security operations, the new defence pact makes support for democracy a pre-condition for future cooperation following the PNGDF's central role in the removal of Sir Julius over the Sandline contract. The new defence cooperation statement was released following talks in Canberra between PNG Defence Minister Mao Zeming and his Australian counterpart Ian McLachlan. Long-standing relations were reviewed in the light of the strains which emerged over the Bougainville conflict, the PNG government's recruitment of the Sandline mercenary force and the subsequent revolt by former commander Jerry Singirok. "Events of the past year have served as reminder to both of us of the strategic importance of our relationship," Mr McLachlan said in a statement. He said primary activities under the new defence cooperation principles would be strategic planning, management and fundamental military skills including leadership and discipline. "The key principles for the New Defence Partnership outlined in the statement are mutual interest, openness and transparency, mutual respect, achievable goals and support for democratic and constitutional processes." The statement explicitly ackowledged the PNGDF's constitutional role for internal security in spelling out the primary focus of defence cooperation on regional security, training and education and exercises. "From time to time, bilateral activities will support other needs," it added. "In particular, cooperative activities might include Auustralian defence support for achieving a lasting peace on Bougainville." The joint statement emphasised that both countries are strong democracies, a clear reference to concerns raised by Brigadier General Singirok's defiance of the Chan government. "Maintenaince of the defence relationship depends on both defence forces supporting their respective democratic and constitutional processes," the new defence co-operation principles state. - AAP ================================================================= 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-10.24.97-23:16:42-22418