PNG and the political games : Na da muß wohl jemand einen großen Papierkorb haben. Aber das Problemchen läßt sich doch lösen - mit oder ohne PNG.
Islands Post
§ Thursday 02nd December, 2010
Panguna to be reopened
By Gorethy Kenneth
THE Autonomous Bougainville Government is waiting for a response from Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare for the National Government to initiate a review of the Bougainville Copper Agreement. ABG President John Momis said in a statement to the media that he sent a letter to Sir Michael in July this year, formally requesting the National Government to initiate the review process of the Bougainville Copper Agreement. He said this in respond to reports about the meeting of Panguna mine lease landowners in Buka over the weekend. “The first formal step in the process to review the Copper Agreement has also been taken by the ABG. That was in a letter I sent in July 2010 to Prime Minister Somare, formally requesting the National Government to initiate the review process. So far the Prime Minister has not responded to my request. In spite of the silence on the part of the National Government, the ABG has continued to work to prepare for the review process. That is why the ABG Cabinet has directed the Bougainville Administration to work with the mine lease landowners to help them organise themselves to be represented in the review process,” Mr Momis said. But key PNG Government ministries like Bougainville Affairs Minister Fidelis Semoso, Mining Minister John Pundari, State Enterprise Minister Arthur Somare and responsible departmental heads said they have not sighted the letter to kick start the review process. The National Government through the Mining Ministry and its responsible stakeholders like Attorney-General’s office and Planning have been waiting for an official letter from the ABG on the issue of the review of the BCA. Mr Semosoalso does not have a copy of the letter and the PM’s office yesterday could not confirm nor deny having received the letter. |