Resume Bougainville peace talks, urge Momis and Kabui

Port Moresby (The National/PINA Nius Online) – Bougainville leaders have expressed fears that the peace process on the island may collapse if the National Government and island leaders do not get back to the negotiating table soon to resume the stalled negotiations on the future of the province.

Bougainville Governor John Momis and president of the Bougainville People’s Congress, Joseph Kabui, issued a joint statement expressing concern about the slow progress in the Bougainville political talks.

The two leaders were announcing unanimous decisions made by a joint meeting of the Bougainville Interim Provincial Government and the Bougainville People’s Congress, which involved over 140 leaders representing all areas and groups in Bougainville.

“We have been directed by the joint meeting to request the Prime Minister to agree to a leaders’ meeting between the National Government and Bougainville no later than Wednesday, Nov. 8.

“The meetings also resolved to request the Prime Minister to lead the National Government delegation for that meeting.”

The two bodies of the island’s leaders have been meetings since Thursday, Nov. 2. They have been briefed on the progress in the ongoing political negotiations between the National Government and Bougainville.

“The leaders have unanimously expressed their deep disappointment and grave concern about the lack of progress made in the negotiations.

“In spite of ten rounds of negotiations over the past 17 months (nine since December 1999), the positions of the National Government and Bougainville on almost all of the key issues remain far apart,” the two leaders said.

“In particular, the many joint meetings of officials have made only limited progress towards bridging most of the serious differences between the two positions.”

Mr. Momis and Mr. Kabui said that the Bougainville leaders were very worried about the growing anger and frustration among Bougainvilleans about the slow progress in the talks.

The leaders said that they acknowledge the efforts that the Prime Minister and his Government have made towards resolving the Bougainville conflict.

“But lack of progress in the political talks over the past few months is eroding the people’s confidence.”

Mr. Momis and Mr. Kabui said that it has become clear that the officials are unable to resolve the major outstanding differences.

“As a result, the situation demands an urgent political leaders’ meeting.

Only political leaders can make the policy decisions necessary to bridge the significant differences between us.

“The Prime Minister’s involvement in this meeting is necessary because his authority is essential if decisions of such a meeting are to be final and authoritative.”

They have also asked Sir Michael Somare (Minister for Bougainville Affairs) and Moi Avei (Minister for Planning) to assist in arranging the leaders’ meeting.

The combined meeting of Bougainville leaders continued yesterday, and the Governor and the president said the leaders are hoping to get a response form the Prime Minister.