Pacific colonies
pp. 5-6 · Read in the full issue
Dear Sir,
In response to Renee Sore’s letter
(“Independence for Bougainville”
PIM October, 1996), I have this to say: Geographically, racially and culturally, France is no way close to the indigenous people of New Caledonia. Therefore the Kanaky’s struggle to gain independence from their colonial masters would be justi fied in all aspects.
Moreover, their press for independence can rightfully be discussed in an interna tional forum such as the United Nations Special Decolonisation Committee and I am sure the UN realised this rationale, thus giving Papua New Guinea the green light to host such a meet.
It would shed some light on the PNG/Bougainville situation if people like Sore took the time to critically study PNG’s diversity with its different
provinces, including Bougainville.
We have 19 provinces and over 700
languages in PNG. Despite this diversity
geographically, culturally and racially, we can truly be classed as an integral part of the sovereign state of Papua New Guinea.
The international boundaries have been marked and they should stay that way.
Sore can easily take a shot at our lead ers - past and present - from where he/she is without truly understanding the tasks
and responsibilities required to keep a
nation together given the diversities inter nally. The simple, yet painful, decision to keep Boungainville a part of PNG is first ly an internal matter.
Secondly, such a decision should be seen as a responsible one, in that if the PNG government of the day relented to the people of Bougainville, imagine the
total disintegration.
The people of the other outer islands of PNG or the Highlanders or even the Lowlanders would most definitely demand the same, what with all the rich natural resources being discovered in every comer of PNG.
I strongly believe that Sir Julius Chan has a big heart for the people of Bougainville, especially the children and the women who are suffering silently well, who wouldn’t? If not for fear of set ting a bad precedent hence a totally disin-
tegrated PNG, he or past prime ministers would allow the flag of PNG to be low ered rather than be torn down in
Bougainville.
As for legal colonisation, weren’t the Solomon Islands and Fiji legally a part of Britain, or PNG a part of Australia. Given the issues of geography, race and culture.
our colonial masters realised the impor tance of giving us our independence. Why not Kanaky?
Ido not know what he/she meant by saying that Bougainville’s being an inte gral part of PNG was highly debatable.
Perhaps he/she should elaborate.
Finally, New Caledonia is a colony of France whilst Bougainville is a province of PNG.
Big, big difference isn’t it?
Petero Tapua
Konerigo Kwaluna Vula’a Vanugana
Png
Sir Julius Chan ... “has a big heart for the people of Bougainville’’