People of Bougainville celebrate peace agreement
Australia's role in peace-building in the Commonwealth is nowhere more
evident than on the island of Bougainville, just hours from north-east Australia
off Papua New Guinea's east coast. Bougainville faces huge challenges after 10
years of civil war, but this did not dampen the joyous celebrations last August
in Arawa at the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
ceremonial basket">
Australia has spent $100 million in the last five years to establishing
peace, repairing infrastructure and strengthening communities in
Bougainville.
The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Sir Mekere Morauta (right), and the
President of the Bougainville People's Congress, Joseph Kabui, with a woven
ceremonial basket containing the Bougainville Peace Agreement at the signing in
Arawa last August. Photos: Geoff Tooth
The signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement last August was a major step on
the road to peace and a sign that the people of Bougainville are ready to
embrace a more constructive future.
Australia's contribution to the peace process was recognised by all the
speakers at the ceremony. Joseph Kabui, President of the Bougainville People's
Congress, extended particular thanks to the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Alexander Downer, saying that without the Minister's personal intervention
earlier in the year to negotiate a compromise on a future referendum, the agreement would
not have been reached.
Senator Alan Ferguson, Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, represents Australia in witnessing the Bougainville Peace Agreement in Arawa.
According to Anthony Regan, an academic from the Australian National
University and adviser to Bougainville in the negotiations with the PNG
Government on Bougainville's future, Australia's support of the peace process
has been crucial.
Australian support for the negotiations has included providing lawyers to
assist Bougainville, a consultant to the PNG Government and facilitating
transport for Bougainville's negotiators to participate in 22 rounds of talks,
some of which lasted for six weeks.
The next step on the move towards autonomy will be the agreement's passage
through PNG's parliament which is necessary for the constitutional changes to be
made.
September 2001