Independence for Bougainville

Bougainville

Sir,

I wish to register my disbelief of the statements by Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan at the June Pacific Regional Seminar of the United Nations Special Decolonisation Committee in Port Moresby.

I was dismayed at the contents of Sir Julius’ call “for an early, orderly and absolute end to colonialism in New Caledonia, with specific safeguards for the rights of indigenious Kanaks” report ed by Sam Vulum in your August publi cation.

This is not to imply that I am not for Kanaky independence but rather that its similarity to the BRA (Bougainville Revolutionary Army) fight for nation hood need not be overlooked.

Also questionable is the fact that the United Nations saw it fit for PNG to host a Pacific Regional Seminar of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation. One can argue that as a sovereign state PNG is qualified to host

such meetings.

However, the fact that the Chan administration is turning a blind eye to the cries, aspirations and prayers of

indigenous Bouganivilleans for state-

hood to end PNG “colonialism and exploitation” also need to be considered.

Despite the fact that PNG is not in order, Sir Julius boosted the plight of the Kanaks to gain independence. It is this rationale of saying “give independence to FLNKS and engage PNG Defence Force on Operation Hot Pursuit against BRA” that qualifies Sir Julius to be labelled a hypocrite.

Though New Caledonia is officially and legally a colony of France, the status of Bougainville as an integral part of PNG is highly debatable.

Lest the Chan administration forget let it be stated with clarity that the FLNKS and BRA are fighting for the same cause.

Independence is the core element of the

Bougainville crisis.

To this end, I see it reasonable for the Pacific Regional Seminar of the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonisation to not only single out France but also reprimand PNG for human rights abuses and exploitation in Bougainville.

Renee Sore

Honiara Solomon Islands

Sir Julius speaking in Bougainville in 1994