By Norm Dixon

Witnesses have linked the murderer of Bougainville Transitional Government Premier Theodore Miriung to the pro-PNG "Resistance" groups. Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) commander Sam Kauona has also named the person he believes responsible.

An October 18 article in the Sydney Morning Herald said that PNG Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan has been informed in a confidential report that PNG Defence Force soldiers were seen leaving the area. Evidence suggests a member of the pro-PNG government "Resistance" militia fired the rifle which killed Miriung.

Witnesses told investigators that a vehicle, recently in use by PNG troops, was seen leaving Miriung's village after the assassination.

In a radio broadcast, Kauona named the killer as Sylvester Makau, a Resistance commander. A resistance member who has defected to the BRA supplied the information. Makau was supported by PNG soldiers commanded by a William Melisa, Kauona said.

Amnesty International on October 14 called on the PNG government to conduct a "full and independent inquiry" into Miriung's murder, pointing out that "in the past, extrajudicial executions have been carried out by both the PNG Defence Forces and the secessionist BRA".

In the wake of Miriung's murder, PNG's parliamentary speaker and former prime minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, has supported calls by Bougainville MP John Momis for greater autonomy for Bougainville. Earlier this year another former prime minister, Sir Michael Somare, called on Port Moresby to consider allowing Bougainville to govern itself. Miriung was a strong advocate of greater autonomy for the island. Momis also called for a cease-fire and the PNG-imposed blockade of Bougainville be lifted.

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