By Norm Dixon
The second round of peace talks in New Zealand has resulted in a truce between the pro-independence Bougainville Interim Government (BIG), the Port Moresby-appointed Bougainville Transitional Government (BTG) and the Papua New Guinea government. Representatives of all sides have expressed optimism that an end to the Bougainville war is in sight.
After 10 days of discussions, beginning on October 1 at the Burnham army base near Christchurch, 100 or so delegates agreed to invite a "neutral" regional peacekeeping group to Bougainville to monitor the terms of the truce.
It was agreed that the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) and the PNG Defence Force would each respect and promote basic human rights and fundamental freedoms, refrain from all acts of intimidation and armed confrontation and promote peace and reconciliation.
The truce stipulates that freedom of movement, in and outside the island, be restored and the delivery of services resumed.
Regular dialogue will take place between PNGDF officers, tribal leaders, BRA leaders and leaders of the pro-PNG "resistance" militias.
A small working group will meet, consisting of representatives of the PNG government, BIG and BTG, to work out the final arrangements for a cease-fire. The truce will be in force until the next step, a meeting of top leaders of the BIG, BTG and PNG.
The BIG delegation to the talks was led by BRA leader Sam Kauona, former Bougainville Premier Joseph Kabui and international spokesperson Martin Miriori. The BIG delegation included many BRA field commanders who flew directly from their jungle hide-outs to New Zealand. They gave the truce unanimous support.
Miriori said on October 12 that the truce meant Bougainvilleans could begin to build a lasting peace. "It is another step on a long and difficult road that we are committed to travel together."
He said he did not believe Port Moresby had "hidden agendas". "Those of us who came here are now partners in peace rather than enemies at war."
BTG Premier Gerard Sinato reported that the PNGDF immediately lifted all restrictions in Bougainville following the signing of the truce on October 10.
PNG Prime Minister Bill Skate said on October 10 from Port Moresby: "A momentum for peace is already under way. The Burnham truce formalises the desire of all parties for peace ... I believe there is good will and genuine commitment to find a lasting peace on Bougainville." He endorsed the truce and said the PNG government would order the PNGDF to immediately observe its provisions.
BIG President Francis Ona did not attend the talks. He has not yet stated his views on the truce; he will be briefed by BIG leaders when they return. A full meeting of the rebel movement's leadership is to be held at Kongara in central Bougainville.
Ona expressed scepticism about the outcome of the first round of the Burnham talks in July because of its failure to address adequately the issue of independence. He also warned against Australian participation in the proposed peacekeeping force.
Ona's doubts deepened when PNG PM Skate stated on August 28 that "independence is non-negotiable".
During the recent meeting of the South Pacific Forum, Prime Minister John Howard also stated that Australian support for the peace process was contingent upon independence being off the agenda. Ona remains determined that the peace process must culminate in a referendum which includes the option of independence.
The establishment media and governments have attempted to create divisions within the Bougainville independence movement and its supporters and discredit Francis Ona as a lone, eccentric and isolated critic.
Writing in the September 19 Canberra Times, Matthew Spriggs outlined the argument: Francis Ona, isolated in the remote inland of Bougainville, is reliant on a couple of "over-enthusiastic" and "well-meaning" Australian supporters. It is they who have convinced Ona to question the merits of the peace process.
"All they are in fact achieving is to isolate rebel leader Ona from his own people", Spriggs charges.
Echoing a similar line, NZ foreign minister Don McKinnon dismissed Ona's absence from the October talks as unimportant, sneering that the BIG leader was "still sitting up in the hills".
John Braby, an Australian supporter, rejected Spriggs' analysis in a letter to the Canberra Times on September 27. "Francis Ona, after 10 years at it, is probably better able than most to make up his own mind, and has also arrived at an extensive network of tried and trusted advisers over the same time."
Braby concluded by urging all sections of the Bougainville independence movement and their supporters to remain united as they discuss the options before them and not to allow the press and governments to divide them.
"Talking is the way out. On the one hand, anything is better than war; on the other, a peace carelessly concluded will not be peace for long. How a course between the two is sailed remains to be seen, but I imagine it can be discovered by sincere and fundamental discussion between all parties".