Discuss Bougainville referendum now
Quelle: Post Courier, 31.8.2012
PAPUA New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government leaders have to tell the people of Bougainville whether there will be a referendum in 2015 or not.
This is because time is running out and the main benchmarks, set under the Bougainville Peace Agreement that have not been addressed – for example – the Fiscal Self Reliance, Weapons Disposal Issue and Capacity Building to name a few.
Sam Akoitai, speaking as former Bougainville Affairs Minister, a former rebel hardliner and a concerned Bougainville leader, also on behalf of the people of Bougainville, said yesterday that time is running out. He said that it is better to talk about the referendum now before it falls flat on people’s faces.
“It’s better to say it now rather than leave it until late 2015 and frustrate the people again,” Mr Akoitai said. “I am calling on ABG and the PNG Governments to tell the people of Bougainville and PNG whether there will be referendum in 2015.
“The Bougainville Peace Agreement was a creation for both the National Government and the ABG, they both must work together to ensure the BPA is fully implemented before 2015. There are benchmarks in the BPA that need to be addressed immediately,” he said.
“The BPA is a double entrenchment agreement and there will be difficulties making amendments if leaders start thinking of an extension of time to the referendum.”
Mr Akoitai, who also went on Radio Australia before an interview with the Post-Courier said yesterday despite him not being a leader in the ABG and PNG Government’s specifically on Bougainville, he was very concerned that there has not been any progress so far.
Yesterday ABG President Momis met with Acting PM Leo Dion over ABG issues also including the K100 million owing to the ABG. They discussed the way forward for Bougainville. Details of the meeting had not been disclosed, but the Post-Courier was reliably told that it was on the K100 million funding from the National Government and outstanding Joint Supervisory Body meeting and the Referendum issue.
Bougainville has just 2 years to address pressing issues before the referendum for independence.