NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

Leaders must set the right tone for development

By Aloysius Laukai

The Acting ABG President, Hon Patrick Nisira, says Bougainville needs quality leaders to fast track service delivery to its people.

He said any government is measured by the quality and quantity of services delivered to its citizens, adding that Bougainville needs honest leaders at all levels of society.

The Acting President made these remarks when calling on all Councils of Elders to lead by example and set the right tone for development in their leadership responsibilities.

He said we must recognize and appreciate the sacrifices of Bougainvilleans for the cause of Autonomy and self determination and provide honest leadership that enhances the healing process of reconciliation and unity throughout Bougainville

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Minister wants copra assets to go to growers

By Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville’s Minister for Business and Consumer Affairs, Hon Joseph Watawi, has been in Kokopo and Port Moresby telling the Kokonas Indastri Korporation that assets on Bougainville were owned by the growers on the island.

A frustrated Mr Watawi says the copra shed in Buka and other assets owned by KIK on Bougainville now belong to the Bougainville copra growers and KIK should transfer these assets to the Autonomous Bougainville Government in the spirit of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

Mr Watawi said KIK should conduct communicate with ABG if it wants to sell these assets.

The Minister went to Kokopo to meet with the chairman of the Kokonas Indastri Koporesen, Peter Tokale, but the chairman was not available.

The ABG understands that KIK has already sold its sheds in Rabaul, Kavieng and Madang.

Working group seeks quick end to arms sales

By Aloysius Laukai

The chairman of the Torokina war relics working group, Albert Magoi, says his group’s task is to end the illegal arms trade between Torokina and the Bougainville region.

The establishment of the working group has managed to stop these activities escalating into a major, uncontrolled situation, Mr Magoi told New Dawn FM.

The group is committed to upholding the Bougainville Peace Agreement and especially to weapons disposal throughout the island.

Mr Magoi says his would like the ABG and its partners to start developing economic activities in the Torokina district.

He said now an American team has identified unexploded bombs and other ammunition in the Torokina area, people must move quickly to get rid of this junk for once and for all.

Reconciliation to wash away hurt of Kangu

By Aloysius Laukai

The PNG national government is planning a reconciliation ceremony between the people of Buin before it establishes the much talked about border post in Kangu.

This was revealed today by Alexis Maino, the Director General of the International Relations Division and co-chair of the PNG Delegation.

Mr Maino said there must be a reconciliation at Kangu beach before the two governments can establish the border post.

New Dawn FM understands that the beach was the scene of the notorious Kangu Massacre during the Bougainville conflict.

This was the turning point in moving people to seek a peaceful way to end the war.

Border crossers rights must be protected

By Aloysius Laukai

Acting ABG President, Patrick Nisira, wants the current border meeting in Buka to consider traditional border crossers.

He said discussions must protect the rights of traditional border crossers like those in the Shortlands, Otonjava and Choiseul Islands who have been trading with Bougainvilleans for many years without any conflict.

He said these people also have relatives on both sides of the border and, because of their remoteness and neglect by both governments, have always helped each other in times of need.

The Acting President made these comments when officially opening the meeting in Buka this morning.

He also commended organisers for choosing Buka as the venue for this very important meeting.

Big men gather to mark Bougainville anniversary

By Aloysius Laukai

Newly knighted Deputy Prime Minister, Hon Sir Dr Puka Temu, headed a large crowd of dignitaries at the recent celebrations to mark the fourth anniversary of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

Sir Puka represented Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, who was unable to attend because of heavy work commitments.

Also present were PNG Minister for Internal Security Hon Sammy Rambi, Police Commissioner Gary Baki, former Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan and the Member for Namatanai Hon Bryon Chan, the last two in Bougainville for a reconciliation ceremony.

There were also representatives of Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, the United Nations and AusAid. Many Bougainvilleans and friends took part in both the Reconciliation and Anniversary ceremonies.

Photo: A great picture by Aloysius Laukai of former PNG Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan and Bougainville President Hon James Tanis

New Ireland & Bougainville people reconcile

By Aloysius Laukai

The Governor of New Ireland and former Prime Minister, Sir Julius Chan, this morning said he was happy to visit Bougainville after many years of conflict on the island.

As Prime Minister, Sir Julius engaged the Sandline mercenaries to fight in Bougainville and today’s big reconciliation ceremony is designed to end the ill feeling created at that time between the people of New Ireland and Bougainville.

Last year a similar ceremony was held in Kavieng. Today’s ceremony was held in Buka.

Sir Julius was welcomed by the regional member for Bougainville, Hon Fidelis Semoso, the ABG Vice President, Hon Ezekiel Masat, and members and ministers of ABG.

Ieta and Malasang traditional groups welcomed the delegation from New Ireland into Buka Town for the reconciliation ceremony at the Hutjena Sports ground.

There were two ceremonies to welcome first the Maimais who came by ship and another delegation that arrived later on Air Niugini. The group who came by boat arrived at Buka main wharf at eight o’clock to be welcomed by chiefs and dancers from Ieta village.

A peace ceremony was performed at the wharf between the chiefs and the Maimais. Paramount Chief for Ieta John Nalei welcomed the group to Buka island and told them they had nothing to fear as the people of Bougainville have been waiting for this ceremony to happen.

In his welcome address, Mr Semoso assured Sir Julius that peace and normalcy has taken place on Bougainville adding that he had nothing to fear whilst in the province.

Sir Julius thanked the people of Bougainville for the traditional welcome performed for him and his delegation.

All of today’s ceremonies were carried live on New Dawn FM.

Pictured is the ABG President washing the feet of the New Ireland Governor and former Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan [Photo by Aloysius Laukai]

Monday 15 June is Bougainville inauguration day

By Aloysius Laukai

Next Monday 15 June has been declared a public holiday to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the Inauguration of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

In making the announcement, Acting Chief Administrator, Patrick Koles, said the holiday does not affect emergency health services, which will continue to operate.

Mr Koles said the public holiday is for Monday only and that work will recommence at 0745 hours Tuesday 16 June.

Meanwhile, Suir Council of Elders chairman, Benny Primus, today voiced his disappointment on how the fourth anniversary celebrations have been handled. He told New Dawn FM that people in the rural areas were not informed or asked to contribute to the celebrations.

He said it was sad to see that people in the rural areas left out of activities planned throughout the weekend to commemorate the anniversary.

Arawa is the capital, so get used to it says VP

By Aloysius Laukai

Arawa is the legally declared capital of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville according to ABG Vice President, Hon Ezekiel Masat. Mr Masat says Arawa remains the capital, no matter how people see it.

Mr Masat was speaking in Parliament when announcing the names of members who would be part of a six-person Parliamentary Special Committee to gauge the views of the Bougainville people on where the capital would finally be established.

He warned the members that some hard decisions have to be made to start the ball rolling towards a referendum for Bougainville. He said that for the ABG to get extra support from donors it must make a firm decision on the capital.

The Autonomous Bougainville House of Representatives took more than an hour to debate the location. Education Minister, Michael Otoroa, said it was getting difficult to find land for the expansion of Buka Town, which had no room for expansion and other practical problems.

Mr Masat also said the Constitution guarantees the establishment of regional governments and he called on the Buka Council of Elders to spell out their stand on a regional government for north Bougainville.

MP worried about conflict of interest in copper

By Aloysius Laukai

The Minister for Natural Resources, Dr Benedict Pisi, yesterday denied any Cabinet involvement in the review of the Bougainville Copper Agreement.

He was responding to questions by the former Vice President and Member for Mahari, John Tabinaman, who wanted to know who was reviewing the Bougainville Copper Agreement and who authorised the involvement of outside personnel to work on the agreement.

Mr Tabinaman was very critical of these people who he said were operating in their own interests in the Bougainville Copper Agreement.

Dr Pisi said that if the ABG was involved it would include all the stakeholders, landowners, the ABG and off course the people of Bougainville.

On the question of whether the Cabinet supports the work of the Bougainville Resources Development Corporation, the Minister said that the BRDC was a government/private sector partnership and that it was up to the BRDC to prove to the people of Bougainville that it can deliver to them.