NEW DAWN ON BOUGAINVILLE

Bougainville remains top priority for UN

BY ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

The Autonomous Region of Bougainville is a top priority for the United Nations, according to the organisation’s resident coordinator in PNG, David Mac.

Mr Mac told a reconciliation ceremony in Arawa on Wednesday that UNDP and the broader UN system have been actively engaged in Bougainville for more than ten years.

The UN works closely with the ABG and the national government in supporting sustainable development, small arms reduction, trauma counseling and the creation of sustainable livelihood economic developments in the region.

The UN is increasing its presence in Bougainville, it has been engaged in the region for a long time and new partners are coming on board.

Ceremonies must be fruitful, says Mekamui

BY TOM KATHOA

All Bougainvilleans involved in peace and reconciliation ceremonies have been challenged to make sure the ceremonies bear fruit and are not just feast gatherings.

The challenge was sounded by a representative of the Mekamui government of unity.

He said the Anganai celebration was the first celebration to be attended by members of the Mekamui.

The representative said it is not good wasting money, food and people’s time on ceremonies that achieve nothing.

It seems some people are using these ceremonies as a way of making money.

Meanwhile, another leader has questioned the ABG leadership, the Mekamui leadership and the Bougainville Administration about where they want to lead the region to in the coming years.

It was said there must now be a combined joint effort to prepare the region for referendum and eventual independence.

Bishop urges Bougainvilleans to be peace makers

BY ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

Bishop Tim Auther of the united church in Bougainville says Bougainville has responded to the call to be “peace makers”.

Bishop Auther quoted from the Bible saying, “Blessed are the peace makers for they shall be call the sons of God.”

He urged all Bougainvilleans to become active peace makers, saying the Bible text did not talk about peace lovers, peace-abiding people but peace makers.

Bishop Auther said it is most important that people establish good relations with other people as the first step in peace building.

He said there needs to be peace within people’s own selves, peace with other people and peace with God.

The Bishop commended ABG president, Hon James Tanis, for initiating moves to restore good relations and bridge-building, which he said are now bearing fruits through the reconciliation ceremonies.

He said Bougainville will be a different place if all its people became active peace makers.

The reconciliation ceremonies are the beginning of this process.

The Bishop said it is important that the people be reconciled over issues that caused disunity.

Progress can only be achieved when there is peace in the region.

Resistance fighters ask forgiveness for misdeeds

BY TOM KATHOA

Resistance fighters from the Siwai area of South Bougainville have asked for forgiveness from the people they wronged, the public and the ABG government.

Group leader, Sylvester Makau, when asking for forgiveness, said the Bougainville crisis forced them to carry out illegal acts.

Mr Makau was speaking at Sunday’s peace and reconciliation ceremony at Duisei village.

The Duisei ceremony was attended by ABG President Hon James Tanis, Peace Minister Robert Hamal Sawa, Local Level Government Minister Jonathan Ngati and two ABG members, Hon Ben Takusi and Micheal Komoiki.

The parties reconciled over more than 54 cases ranging from false accusations to destruction of public property.

Mr Makau said his group fully accepted blame, saying it was not the intention of his group to cause disunity among the community but something that was forced on them by the situation brought about by the Bougainville crisis.

He asked forgiveness, that their past be forgotten and that the people to join hands and work for peace and progress in the region.

B/ville peace-building is a broad responsibility

BY ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

Regional commissioner for South Bougainville, Joe Lera, says peace-building is the responsibility of every Bougainvillean and not just a select few.

Mr Lera made these comments at the reconciliation ceremony at Duisei in the Siwai area.

He said peace-building must be shared by youths, women, chiefs, government, the Bougainville Administration and the churches and members of the public.

The commissioner commended the people of Duisei for paving the way for real and lasting peace in the area.

He also said that Christian and traditional values also play an important part in the restoration of peace.

Meanwhile, the chief executive officer of the newly created Peace Ministry, Dennis Kuiai, said it is the vision of the ABG president that peace be established in order for real development to take place.

He said President James Tanis had quickly moved into action after assuming the presidency by establishing dialogue with the different factions in Bougainville and the PNG government.

Mr Kuiai said that it was now the people’s responsibility to continue the process and to own the process.

President will stand by financial commitments

BY ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

ABG president, Hon James Tanis, says he will honour the commitments for financial assistance made to the people of Siwai and South Bougainville.

The commitments followed request by Duisei chiefs for the ABG to assist with projects and to stage the final part of the reconciliation ceremony.

The Duisei reconciliation ceremony has reached the third stage with the final stage to be held towards the end of this year.

This will involve serious cases committed against the community by the resistance.

Duisei chief, Nathaniel Mamoi, told Mr Tanis and his delegation that the people needed government support to properly prepare for this occasion and other projects to improve the region’s economy.

Another chief, Joshua Kam, also called on the ABG government to give more power to the chiefs to effectively carry out their duties in their communities.

The government has plans to set up village assemblies this year.

President Tanis said village assemblies are closer to the people and it is important that they be developed and funded.

The president said village assemblies must not be seen as an opposition to the Council of Elders but as a complementary body.

Emotional reconciliation ceremony at Duisei

BY ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

The president of the Autonomous region of Bougainville, Hon James Tanis and his delegation were moved and touched by what they saw at the reconciliation ceremony at Dusei village in South Bougainville on Sunday.

The reconciliation ceremony saw young and old people reconciled over past wrong actions during the Bougainville conflict.

A total of 54 cases ranging from false accusations to destruction of property, murder, stealing and killing of pigs and other domestic animals were reconciled.

The president and his delegation that including Peace Minister, Hon Robert Hamal Sawa, Local Level Government Minister, Jonathan Ngati, and ABG members, Hon Ben Takusi and Hon Micheal Komoiki were moved by the actions of the people to reconcile.

Victims lined one side while the attackers on the other side apologised and publicly sought pardons. The victims accepted the apologies publicly.

Before shaking hands and hugging each other, men from each side were given the opportunity to speak on behalf of the group.

People from both sides shed tears during an act that moved and touched officials and visitors alike.

One leader, Francis Loio, received a big aluminum cooking pot taken away from him during a raid and the burning down of his house nine years ago.

Mr Loio said he lost a large number of valuables including a house during the crisis.

President Tanis said he was happy that the people of Dusei wanted to forgive each other and move on with peace building.

What they have set out to do is exactly what the ABG government is doing.

The five hour program ended with the sharing of food prepared especially for the occasion.

Flooding rains defeat ABG meetings in Kongara

BY TOM KATHOA

Autonomous Bougainville Government president James Tanis Two and two Ministers on tour in the Kongara area had informal talks with two groups of people yesterday.

But two meetings had to be deferred due to bad weather and urgent commitments for the ABG president.

The Tanis delegation arrived at Duisei Pimary School late Monday night wet and covered in mud.

The party left Dunara yesterday for Arawa but spent more than an hour unable to cross the flooded Laluai River.

Members of the touring party had no choice but to cross the flooded river which rose to neck level.

The party finally arrived in Arawa last night again all wet and some injured.

Arrangements have been made for the president to return to Kongara to meet the people.

People of Kongara are starved of government services and want to hear what is happening from ABG leaders.

The MV Blue is assisting economic recovery

BY ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

Major Bougainville cocoa buyer Agmark Pacific is providing another much needed shipping service for the province.

Claire Toboen of the Buka Agmark office told New Dawn FM that the newly introduced MV Blue is ready to assist local farmers in Torokina, Kunua, Kereaka, Soroken, the Atolls, Tinputz, Wakunai, Kieta, Buin and Buka.

She said businessmen and farmers who wish to utilise the vessel can call at the Kokopau office to make their bookings.

The Blue has been on Bougainville since November last year and  has the potential to greatly help the economic recovery of Bougainville.

Bougainville will be an independent nation: Tanis

BY ALOYSIUS LAUKAI

There is no doubt that Bougainville will be an independent nation, said a straightforward ABG President, James Tanis, at a reconciliation ceremony at Anganai village outside Kieta on Friday.

Mr Tanis said he was confident the people of Bougainville will vote ‘yes’ and that the province will gain independence when a referendum is held.

But he appealed to all Bougainvilleans to make the province gun free before any vote is taken.

He said he does not want the people to be forced to vote but be free to vote in whichever way they choose.

Mr Tanis said that his visits to other provinces were designed to make other Papua New Guineans aware of this so there will be no question or doubt when Bougainvilleans decide their future.

Mr. Tanis also said that Bougainville needs to increase its economic base and improve its human resources before independence.

Meanwhile, the President has accepted K250,000 in funding from the PNG national government to assist people who have food security problems in the region.

He said these funds were a relief to the ABG, which has been trying its best to assist people during difficult times.

Mr Tanis said that the funds will be used as intended and not to pay outstanding claims as other funds have been used in the past.

Photo: Bougainville Regional Member Fidelis Semoso receives the cheque from Deputy Prime Minister Dr Puka Temu at Buka Airport. ABG President James Tanis is at right. Dr Temu said in a press conference said that the PNG government is committed to supporting the ABG [Nationalpic by Tavo Tovilu]