Bougainville is 'going about its protests

its protests the wrong way'

By Leo Morgan

Although I am a Bougainvillian and have been involved significantly with the Bougainville breakaway movement, I do not know for sure what sparked off the move for secession.

I merely have my opinions.

It comes as a surprise even to myself that I now find that I do not support the leaders of the secessionists in what they are doing.

I don’t think they are helping Bougainville.

My opinions as to why the move ment was launched are based on two major beliefs. I think the movement is a sincere protest against gross neglect of the Bougainville people by the Administration, and rebellion against the Administration’s un enlightened policies on alienation of timber and land resources on the island.

I have nothing but respect for the honesty of the people who have led the move for a breakaway.

But now I look at the situation and I see that there are three ways that Bougainville can go: It can re main a part of Papua-New Guinea; it can attempt to join with the British Solomon Islands Protectorate; it can become independent.

The Bougainville leaders have asked for a referendum. Should this be granted, and Bougainvillians say they want their independence, how would they manage?

The Australian Government would hardly provide separate grants for Papua-New Guinea and Bougainville.

Although Bougainville is endowed with great mineral and timber resources and has rich agricultural soil, it would take time for these resources to be exploited for the benefit of 75,000 people, and a sub stantial external grant would be re quired in the meantime.

It may be very difficult for the island to get such a grant from sources outside Australia—a lot more difficult than certain members of the secessionist movement wistfully think.

I don’t discard the possibility that such a grant could be pot, but it is too much of a risk. And anyway, is the economy of Bougainville, even when fully developed, large enough

to support an independent Bougain ville? Like everything else in this breakaway issue, there are two opposite opinions.

And another point, would Papua- New Guinea co-operate with an independent Bougainville until such time as both could build up strong economies?

On the matter of joining with the Solomons, the big question that re quires an answer is, “Would Bougain ville be prepared to make economic sacrifices in uplifting the social and economic levels of the Solomons, whose economy is one of the poorest in the South Pacific?” And if it would, is Bougainville’s economy strong enough to stand the strain?

'Put up with grievances'

I now think Bougainville would be better off if it stayed with Papua- New Guinea, even if it means putting up with certain grievances for some time.

The future of P-NG looks very promising economically, if not politically. It will have the popula tion to exploit its resources—which an independent Bougainville would not have, even if it included the Solomons. And where would Bougain ville get labour?

My main contention is that if the Bougainvillians are seeking secession because they are “more sinned against than sinning”, they are adopting the wrong method of protest.

The right and sensible way to show their disapproval of the actions and unenlightened policies of the Administration is to convince the members of the House of Assembly of the strength of their complaints.

I am sure they would sympathise with the Bougainville people if they were convinced. They would then demand that the Administration improve things and make amends.