Bougainville Updates Apr 20 1999 Via NY Transfer News Collective * All the News that Doesn't Fit The National - 20 April 99 Akoitai: BRG vital for bridging gaps PORT MORESBY: The setting up of the Bougainville Reconciliation Government is very important for bringing together opposing groups in the province, says Minister for State Sam Akoitai. "These (opposing) organisations are among the many things that have divided us for the past ten years", he said "Sometimes these organisations opposed one another for what their leaders believed were very good reasons. But at the same time, they are often manipulated in local conflict ... thus adding to the divisions among the people." Mr Akoitai said these opposing forces were found not only at the provincial level, backed by armed groups, but also at the grassroots level. For example, the BRA was squared off against the resistance forces at the provincial level and lower down, the interim authorities were against the area councils of chiefs. Still lower down, there were councils of elders who opposed council of chiefs. Even among women's organisations, there was a dichotomy between the Provincial Council of Women and the Bougainville Women for Peace and Freedom, Mr Akoitai said. All these points were made in a newsletter circulated in Bougainville to promote awareness and explain the Bougainville peace process. In the newsletter, which is endorsed by the BRG advisory conference at its first meeting in Buka recently, Mr Akoitai also said that all groups in the province are agreeing to work together for a single set of Bougainvillean and local level structures. "This will also be an important symbol of reconciliation to all the many personal, family, village and other a reconciliation efforts going on all over Bougainville", said Mr Akoitai. The newsletter addresses the question of where Bougainvilleans stand in the peace process and how more government funding can be made available for services and development. It also addresses the confusion and differences among some Bougainvilleans over the implementation of Clause 8.2 of the Lincoln Agreement on Peace, Security and Development. ======================= PM leaves for NZ to show peace solidarity By FRANK SENGE KOLMA SYDNEY: With elections on Bougainville due this Saturday, Prime Minister Bill Skate yesterday took a flying visit to New Zealand to "meet and show solidarity" with Bougainville leaders on a study visit there. Mr Skate said he wished to "encourage them (the leaders) to keep on working together to further the Bougainville peace process". The Prime Minister is particularly encouraged because this is the first time all four Bougainville MPs have got together since December. The meeting is at the scenic city of Rotorua and the Prime Minister's party is expected to return on Thursday. Mr Skate is accompanied on the trip by the Special State Negotiator for Bougainville, Sir John Kaputin, new Chief Secretary Bill Dihm and a small party of senior officials. The Bougainvillean leaders involved in the study visit include the four Bougainville MPs as well as a broad cross-section of the factions involved in the peace process including the Constituent Assembly, the Leitana Council of Elders, rebels and the Resistance. The Prime Minister said he was pleased that leaders on all sides were looking beyond previous differences, learning from the experience of others and exchanging ideas about future options. He said: "As we approach the first anniversary of the ceasefire agreement, it is appropriate for us all to remember that the peace process began with the people of Bougainville. "Consolidation of the peace process and improving security depend on building mutual confidence on the ground. "While a great deal has been achieved, a lot still remains to be done to ensure that peace will be truly lasting. "My short visit to New Zealand will allow me to join other leaders in making a stock-take and discussing the way ahead." The Prime Minister said that all of the parties involved in the Bougainville peace process are grateful for the hospitality of their New Zealand hosts. New Zealand has so far provided venues for the two Burnham talks and the Lincoln Agreement as well as providing logistic support for the peace process. Mr Skate said in his statement before his departure yesterday that while he was grateful for the hospitality of neighbours in the region, he wanted to impress upon all parties that "we must not become reliant on them or other friends". "The best way of showing appreciation for what they have done is to make sure that peace continues to grow where it belongs," Mr Skate said. "Future meetings must, therefore, be held in Bougainville or some other part of Papua New Guinea, where leaders are well-placed to take full account of local conditions, discussions are open and agreements transparent, and accountability can be assured. "The message that I will be taking to my Bougainvillean brothers and sisters is one of support for what they have achieved by coming together, and encouragement for them to maintain dialogue and unity as we face the challenges which lie ahead. "We know from experience that cooperation between the four Bougainvillean MPs is the key to effective bi-partisanship in the National Parliament, and so to providing a proper constitutional framework for the future government of Bougainville. "The credibility, strength and impact of the Bougainville MPs depends on much broader agreement among Bougainvillean leaders."A great deal of useful work has been done in New Zealand to develop the foundations for future cooperation at home. "The task for us all when we return will be to keep on talking and, above all, working together to build a permanent structure of peace in Bougainville." ================================================================= 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-04.24.99-12:01:17-1510