100313 NATIONAL GOVT COMMITTED
By Aloysius Laukai
The long awaited review process on the Bougainville Autonomous arrangement leading up to the scheduled referendum was jointly launched by the Deputy Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, LEO DION and the Autonomous Bougainville Government President, DR.JOHN MOMIS in front of the packed crowed at Buka town’s BEL ISI PARK last Saturday.
In his address to the people of Bougainville, the Deputy Prime Minister said that the Referendum is an important milestone that all men, women and children of Bougainville must be properly prepared for as it will determine their future self determination.
MR. DION assured the people of Bougainville that the O’NEIL-DION government was fully committed to ensure that it provides the atmosphere and an environment conducive to achieve this important milestone.
He said that we must not allow any obstacle along the way that will undermine and derail the smooth progress towards the free and fair conduct of the referendum.
The launching occasion was to give added impetus to the current work of the Referendum and Autonomous Arrangement Review Committee which is chaired by the chief secretary to Government and comprises representatives from both the National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
He said that the review of the Autonomous arrangements is a legal requirement that must take place on the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the Autonomous Bougainville Government.
We can not delay this major exercise that is fundamental and pivotal to a successful referendum to continue to drag on.
If there are any problems the National Government must be advised appropriately on a timely basis so that we can collectively work together to progress in the path towards Referendum in a true bi-partisan approach.
The Deputy Prime minister also said that the National Government demands the review process to be thoroughly done, expeditiously to make up for lost time.
He said that the key component to peace on Bougainville is the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the various constitutional arrangements such as part 14 of the National Constitution(as amended) and the Organic Law on Bougainville Peace Building which give legal effect to that Agreement.
On the three Pillars of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, Autonomy, Weapons Disposal and Referendum, MR. DION said that the three pillars are at various stages of implementation and must continue to be supported.
Under Autonomy, the transfer of powers and functions are now been implemented and different departments in Waigani are working closely with their counterpart divisions in the ABG Administration in trying to fast track the establishment of the Bougainville Public Service and also to look at ways to speed up the delegated powers and functions to the Bougainville Public Service.
The issue of affordability of the Bougainville Public Service to sustain itself and the requisite manpower to support the system is one that will come to the ABG and the National Government for consideration at the Joint Supervisory Body, the Bougainville Executive Council and the National Executive Council.
He said that the O’NEIL-DION Government would like to see a definite deadline on this.
The Deputy Prime Minister also commented on the weapons disposal program on Bougainville.
He said that the Weapons disposal and Good Governance were essential fundamentals of Referendum that we all are working towards.
MR. DION said that the conduct of referendum was contingent upon a weapon free Bougainville.
He also commended President Momis government and past governments for tirelessly working to achieve this mission with the assistance from Department partners as well as the National Government.
It is important as we approach Referendum, the National Government and the ABG must agree on a joint work plan that will essentially oversee in a cohesive manner all the different weapons disposal and reconciliation undertakings.
Ends