BOUGAINVILLE - 1 June 99 -Postcourier Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit source - VIKKI@law.uts.edu.au Mon May 31 23:54:49 1999 Postcourier - 1 June 99 Kabui elected president of Bougainville congress THE president of the Bougainville People's Congress, Joseph Kabui's first task was to receive a petition from the family of slain premier Theodore Miriung in Arawa on Friday Mr Kabui defeated Gerard Sinato 77 to 10 votes. He will be helped by two vice presidents Thomas Anis and BIG leader James Tanis. Speaker of the congress is Member for Makis in south Bougainville Linus Konukung. His deputy is Member for Mortlock Tom Puaria. Mr Konukung adjourned the meeting to allow the members to meet the protesters from Central Bougainville. The protesters included Mr Miriung's widow, his brother and family members. The protesters were escorted by BRA strongman Ishmael Toroama. Mrs Miriung told the gathering they wanted the case resolved. They also demanded compensation from Mr Miriung's killers. When receiving the petition from Arawa chief Raphael Niniku, Mr Kabui thanked the organisers for a peaceful protest which demonstrates that democracy exists in Bougainville. ``With my deputies, the issues raised in the petitions would be dealt with by the congress,'' Mr Kabui said. ``While pursuing these issues, I appeal for your understanding and co-operation.'' When the congress resumed in the afternoon, Mr Kabui described the protest as a victory for the people who are demanding peace and reconciliation. This was also demonstrated in the elections of members of the congress. ``This shows that the people of Bougainville are mature and responsible when they say peace, they mean peace,'' said Mr Kabui. ``There is no more fight in the jungle. ``I will use the negotiation table as my jungle to fight with the PNG Government for settlement of the Bougainville conflict. ``Let us work as one people for the sake of a better tomorrow for Bougainville. ``This division is a thing of the past. We are one.'' =================================== BRA called on to support Bougainville government BRA strongman Ishmael Toroama has appealed to members of the rebel force to support leaders of the Bougainville People's Congress as they advance to the next stage of negotiations with the National Government. Mr Toroama made the appeal during a peaceful protest staged by the immediate family and relatives of the late BTG Premier Theodore Miriung in Arawa last Friday. The protest is over the long delay in settling the killing of Mr Miriung in 1996. Mr Toroama said it did not matter what label was being used for the formation of a government for Bougainville and should be supported by BRA and the people. He also expressed dissatisfaction over the abuse of BRA as an organisation by those who claimed to be members of the force. He said this happened when people were under the influence of alcohol. Mr Toroama said this practice needed to come to an end for the sake of peace in Bougainville. Bougainville People's Congress leader, Joseph Kabui said Francis Ona would not be left out. He said: ``The door remains open for Mr Ona to nominate his five members in the congress''. Mr Kabui has also reserved a seat for Mr Ona's representative in the congress's executive council which he formed on Saturday. Members of the council are Taehu Pais (Atolls), Michael Titus (Nissan), Thomas Anis vice president, Richard Lyons, Dennis Sareke, George Lessi, Uazziah Toukes and Elizabeth Burain (women's representative Buka), Gabriel Spae (Tinputz), Joe Pais (Wakunai), Thomas Keriri (Wakunai), David Sisito (Central), Linus Dake (Central), Andrew Miriki (Buin), Joe Nanou (Buin), Jonathan Ngati (Siwai), Nick Peniai (Siwai), William Lavabua (Bana), Tony Siona (Bana), Michael Piriri (Torokina), James Taraitsi (Torokina), Gerard Sinato (Kunua), Joe Watawi (Selau-Suir), Theresa Jaintong (women's representative), Lucy Morris women's representative Joseph Kabui president (Central), and James Tanis vice president (Bana). ================================================================= 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-06.02.99-05:51:21-22595