Massacre in Bougainville

By Norm Dixon and Max Watts A radio operator in the blockaded island of Bougainville has reported a gruesome massacre of unarmed civilians by members of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force and pro-PNG "resistance" groups. The killings took place early on January 25 in the village of Simbo in southern Bougainville. Twelve civilians were murdered and two seriously injured. Among the dead were a young mother, an eight-month-old baby and five children. An emergency radio link has been re-established with the Bougainville Interim Government. The movement's only link with the outside world was destroyed on February 1, when suspected PNG agents fire-bombed the home and office of the BIG's representative in the Solomon Islands, Martin Miriori, destroying a two-way radio and fax. Senior BIG leader Joseph Kabui reports that there is much fighting on the island. PNG-controlled "care centres" in Bougainville, where displaced villagers are held, often against their will, are running out of food because the PNG government cannot provide adequate funds. Many residents of these centres want to return to BIG-controlled zones as hunger and despair increase.

From GLW issue 221