Bougainville News 10/11/97 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source:VIKKI@lexsun.law.uts.edu.au Sun Nov 9 22:11:36 1997 Postcourier (PNG) Newspaper - 10 November, 1997 BTG-BRA leaders agree to find peace before self-rule LEADERS from the Bougainville Transitional Government and Bougainville Revolutionary Army have reached an understanding to work with the Papua New Guinea government to restore infrastructure and services before seeking independence. BTG spokesman Bishop John Zale told the Post-Courier in Gizo, Solomon Islands that all the BTG/BRA leaders have agreed after the signing of the Burnham agreement in New Zealand with the PNG government to make peace among themselves first and then embark on rebuilding the province to ensure normalcy on the island. And when this is achieved, the leaders would seek from PNG to allow for a referandum so that they can vote whether or not to have independence. This is because the idea for Bougainville to get independence is still strong among all Bougainvilleans and has been before the crisis begun in 1989, according to Bishop Zale. The BRA leadership is only pushing the idea. According to Rev Zale, there is a strong understanding now for leaders from both factions after nine years of fighting to settle down and try to rebuild the province in terms of infrastructure (roads, bridges and social services) which had been destroyed and rehabilitation of Bougainvilleans before the idea to pursue independence is sought. ``The intention for independence for Bougainville is strong among the people and leaders alike but we recognise that the nine years of crisis have really spoilt the island . . . Bougainvilleans kill Bougainvillians (BRA and Resistance),'' said Rev Zale. He said the first round of Burnham talks have opened up doors to clear understanding among leaders of BTG and BRA to reconcile _ to forgive each other and make peace. The idea of BRA leader Francis Ona is to get independence immediately but he said most of the leaders think that although they independence should be pursued _ it would not be good if the PNG Government leaders hand over Bouganville's freedom in the current state. ``Independence will not work if people (BRA, Resistance and ordinary Bouganvilleans) are still divided because they will fear each other all the time. . .so the idea is to seek peace, reconstruct infrastructure on the island (rebuild roads, bridges, schools and health services) and improve the livelihood of the people as it was before the crisis begun'', said Rev Zale. This would allow all the people to leave care centres and return to their villages _ this is the plan all the leaders have and are working towards it ``and we try to advice Francis Ona to ensure this takes place first''. And once this is achieved and everything is back to normal, then the leaders ``can negotiate with the Government of Papua New Guinea and tell them of the concern of the Bouganville people''. According to Rev Zale, independence for Bouganville is not the idea of the leaders but the people and their welfare must be considered first. And the approach to be taken by the leaders now is that once the welfare of the people are secure, Bouganville leaders would seek from the government for a referandum so that the people can vote _ it would only be determined by a majority vote. ``We see that this is the only democratic way to get independence . . . leaders resorted to fighting but it only caused damage in the province and displaced people,'' he said. And the leaders would have to follow the majority decision by the people or rather which way they vote _ for independence or to remain as a province of PNG. He said Bouganville leaders now realise that the province would deteriorate further if fighting continues on Bounganville. Meanwhile, he said more help is now going to Bouganville (both to BRA and PNG Government controlled areas) after the Burnham agreement was signed in New Zealand and it was an encouraging sign. Additionally, he said there is a free flow of people alone the border between PNG and Solomon Islands in search for services and goods unlike before where they were hunted by PNG soldiers. ================== Tension built up as soldiers awaited appointment of new commander -- major THE failure of the new Government to act on a recommendation for the appointment of a Defence Force commander after Election 97 may have led to mistrust and tension, an army officer told the ongoing mutiny trial on Friday. Major Andrew Kaiak, a member of the Command Restoration Team and a witness for the defence, faced cross examination from prosecutor Captain Malaki Unagui. Major Kaiak said he had recommended soldiers involved in the Sandline crisis and operation Rausim Kwik should face no action until an inquiry into the mercenaries affair was held. He had also recommended troops at Murray Barracks, in particular those on duty at the gate, should be unarmed in order to promote a neutral environment. Major Kaiak said he had spoken with acting Commander Colonel Jack Tuat, who he said had planned to station armed troops at the gates. ``The recommendation was to create a neutral environment'', Major Kaiak said. ``The CRT felt that to have armed troops would further add to tension.?? Five Defence Force officers Major Walter Enuma, Captain Bola Renagi, Captain Belden Namah, Lt Michael David and Lt Linus Osoba are facing a court martial on mutiny charges relating to the house-arrest of Defence Force Commander Leo Nuia and Lt Colonel Carl Marlpo. Major Kaiak said the Command Restoration Team had recommended a new commander be appointed after the formation of a new government. He said there was complete break-down in the chain of command because of the mistrust between troops and officers. The mistrust had begun after former Commander Jerry Singirok called a parade at Murray Barracks and announced his intention to call on three senior government ministers to resign over the Sandline deal. Major Kaiak said immediately after General Singirok called the parade (on the day he was to publically announce his demands) all personnel were dismissed and the officers went back to their offices. Troops then waited on the streets next to the parade ground awaiting an answer from the Governor General over Singirok's sacking. ``The troops were there, there was not one officer there,'' he said. ``The troops then blamed the officers for not being interested in their problems.?? Major Kaiak said mistrust started that day and troops began to refuse orders. He said between June and July, just after the March crisis, there was tension between senior officers, junior officers and the rank and file, with little command or control at Murray Barracks. He said troops in control of the Murray Barracks gate did not allow normal activities within the PNGDF headquarters, increasing the tension. There was nervousness, anger and fear about whether there would be a clash between troops, officers and senior non-commissioned officers (SNCO's), he testified. ``There was a complete breakdown in the chain of command and given the situation, the chain of command could not apply.?? Major Kaiak said under the CRT, the situation was returning to normal. He said guns carried by troops during the Sandline crisis were returned, as were four vehicles confiscated by troops. The CRT had visited individual units in Port Moresby area and told the troops its aim was to bring the unstable situation back to normal. Major Kaiak said soldiers raised their concerns about what was going to happen to them and the Defence Force as a whole. He said there was no need for the Special Operations Group established by Nuia, which was only adding to the tension in the force. He said the Prime Minister had also directed that soldiers involved in operation Rausim Kwik during the Sandline crisis should have no action taken against them pending the Inquiry. The defence ended their case last Friday and counsel Powes Parkop will make his final submissions on Friday. ==================== Skilled Bougainvilleans cannot secure employment over in Solomon Islands BOUGAINVILLEANS who have escaped over the common border to Solomon Islands from the trouble-torn island are faced with a problem of continuously fighting for survival because they cannot work. United Church Bishop Rev John Zale said many Bouganvilleans who have been forced to flee over the border to neighboring islands to escape the crisis are not allowed to work by Solomon Islands authorities and they are literally suffering. According to Bishop Zale, many of the Bouganvilleans are skilled in their respective trades (most of them having worked at the Panguna mine before the crisis) but it is a pity they cannot work. Asked why the Solomon Islands government is not utilising this skilled workforce Rev Zale said he does not know. According to Rev Zale displaced Bouganvilleans residing in Honiara are allowed to work to earn their living but others in other outer islands are not allowed. He said the Solomon Islands government officials could not explain why there can be such disparity or unfairness, particularly in-terms of treatment given to Bouganvilleans in Honiara and other places. He said there are many Bouganvilleans on the Gizo island who cannot work although they are skilled _ not even to do grass cutting. Rev Zale estimated that there are almost 2000 people scattered around in Giso and other neighboring islands. And many live with Solomon Islanders in villages. It has been very difficult for them because without work the chances of survival are less. Most rely on selling things like food at the market so that they can buy basic goods. =============== B'ville peace in the hands of warring parties THE Bougainville peace process must reconcile government security forces and the Bougainville Revolutionary Army to ensure the momentum continues. This was highlighted at a special meeting for peace/reconciliation on Bougainville held at MacGregor Police Barracks, outside Port Moresby by two speakers who called for the Government's to take the lead. The special meeting, attended by Opposition Leader Bernard Narokobi, Bougainville Regional MP John Momis, Police Commissioner Peter Aigilo and Defence Force Commander's representative Colonel Jack Tuat was part of an on-going initiative for ``peace and reconciliation visits to Laguai village in Buin''. It was inspired by the release earlier this year of five security forces members held hostage by BRA since the Kangu Beach massacre in October 1996. Following their release, colleagues and families raised funds which were sent to Laguai as a token of reconciliation and appreciation for preserving their lives and taking care of them. Fundraisers include a walkathon and the NBC nationwide appeal through the Roger Hau'ofa Talk-Back Show. Mr Aigilo said ``Security forces and BRA must reconcile and shake hands'' for everything else to fall into place. Two senior police officers from MacGregor Barracks and other speakers including Individual and Community Rights Advocacy Forum Leader, Powes Parkop told the politicians that the Bougainville crisis was a national problem. The officers said the peace process was going well but a reconciliation between security forces and BRA would give it credibility. They said it is vital that national politicians consider contributing their Electoral Development Funds towards this initiative. They are convinced that when security forces and BRA reconcile, peace will come. They want the Government to support and facilitate that move ``so we can get together, forgive them and them us''. Mr Parkop suggested a nationwide wheelbarrow push spearheaded by the NGOs and the police from the various barracks. This, he said, would involve all in PNG society in resolving the Bougainville crisis. Mr Narokobi, said in his introductory remarks that the current peace momentum was a result of the tearful prayers of many mothers. ``Today, we are happy to see a rainbow of hope appear and we celebrate with you,'' he said, urging them to keep praying, sacrificing and fasting until complete peace is restored. Mr Momis told them that the concept of self-determination was God-given and ultimately determines whether one spends eternity in Heaven or Hell. He warned that it should not be used in violation of God's will or the will of others. He said that reconciliation frees all from fighting and leads to the healing of those traumatised by the crisis. ================================================================= 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-11.10.97-09:42:34-19147