http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/asiapac/stories/201103/s3152339.htm
Updated March 1, 2011 20:38:34
Bougainville's President John Momis says Australia must give more of its increasing aid budget to Bougainville if an approaching referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea is to be a real contest.
Bougainville's autonomous government is contemplating re-opening the controversial Panguna
Presenter: Linda Mottram
Speakers: John Momis, President Bougainville Autonomous Government; Richard Marles, Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs
Listen:Windows Media
MOTTRAM: Before any official work could be done in Canberra, John Momis had an important appointment in the nearby New South Wales country town of Crookwell.
FX: (laughter)
MOTTRAM: Crookwell is home to the man John Momis calls his spiritual mentor, retired 96 year old Catholic priest Wally Fingleton, a man who spent 27 years working in Bougainville, and who even baptised John Momis. It was a fond reunion.
MOMIS: His Mum, his Mum visited him. She was already an old lady and she came to Buin when there was no roads.
MOTTRAM: Back in Canberra, speaking at the Australian National University, John Momis, a veteran of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville politics, wasted no time underlining his concerns about weaknesses in the 11 year old Bougainville peace process.
MOMIS: They contribute to risks of a resumption of conflict, something that would cause incalculable harm in Bougainville. Like the conflict from 1988 to 1997, renewed conflict could threaten the integrity of PNG and the stability of the wider region.
MOMIS: John Momis says there have been big improvements through the peace agreement, particularly in getting former enemies to work together. But he says more flesh is needed on the bones, as Bougainville heads to a referendum as early as 2015 and no later than 2020 - a choice between autonomy within PNG and independence. Significant difficulties have included the slow pace of the transfer of powers from the central government to Bougainville, PNG's failure to pay grants and a lack of capacity on Bougainville's side. John Momis says that's strained government to government relations and undermined confidence among would-be separatists.
MOMIS: As a signatory to the agreement I am committed to what it provides, both autonomy and the holding of a referendum. At the same time, when the referendum is held, I want people to have a real choice between either the goal of independence, long cherished by many, or an existing autonomy that really delivers the intended benefits.
MOTTRAM: He says that means the autonomous government has to be effective in delivering services and equitable development while empowering Bougainvilleans. Progress was made on two years worth of withheld grants when two weeks ago, a key body, the Joint Supervisory Body met after long delays and PNG provided the money, millions of Kina. PNG has also now promised much more money in the future, though that's not guaranteed. And John Momis says that's where Boungainville's partners come in.
MOMIS: I very much hope that in making decisions about the allocation of its increasing aid budget, Australia is able to allocate significant new support to Bougainville. This is not a matter of growing dependence, rather we will mainly need increased support in these next few years before sustainable long term revenues begin to flow.
MOTTRAM: That most likely means mining, with John Momis saying there is a wide consensus among Bougainvilleans the mining, either at the old Panguna mine, or elsewhere should resume, though on more equitable and environmentally acceptable terms than during the divisive colonial years.
Australia's Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs, Richard Marles, intends to travel to Bougainville soon.
MARLES: We care very much about the economic future of Bougainville. The Panguna mine is clearly a very sensitive issue within Bougainville. I actually met with executives of Rio Tinto recently and they made it clear that they have no intention of going back to or reopening the mine with the permission of the land owners, and without the permission of both the Autonomous Bougainville Government and the PNG government and in a way that states the position. This is a matter for the governments of PNG, of Bougainville and the land owners. That's where we're going to take out lead in terms of the future of the mine.
MOTTRAM: On the peace process overall, Mr Marles says recent developments in the processes sound very positive. But he's keen to get a reading on the ground as soon as possible. And on the aid question, Richard Marles will doubtless hear John Momis' plea when they meet in Canberra later this week
-----------
BOC - Auf dem Weg zum MULTIBAGGER, die ersten 500% sind schon erreicht ;-)))))))))))) |
Thread abonnieren
