Echoes of World War 2 reverberate in Torokina

By Aloysius Laukai

For the first time since the end of World War 2 64 years ago, American soldiers will return to Torokina on the west coast. They will go there to assess the World War 2 bomb situation in the area.

The arrival of the American soldiers follows requests made early this year by the ABG President Hon James Tanis for the military to return to Torokina and remove World War 2 bombs and other remains left by the allied forces after the war ended.

Mr Tanis personally requested that the American Embassy relay the message that the World War 2 bombs and ammunition were causing problems in the area as villagers were now selling these munitions to get money.

Some of the ammunition had fallen into criminal hands in other provinces.

The ABG was also concerned that, while disarmament talks were in full swing throughout the Province, there was one source that was still untouched.

The American soldiers are expected to arrive in Bougainville next month.