panguna high on govt agenda

http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20110524/tuhome.htm

PAGUNA mine is now one of the most critical agendas for Papua New Guinea and the Autonomous Bougainville Government as singled out by leaders of these governments.
Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal, Bougainville Affairs Minister Fidelis Semoso and ABG President John Momis have reiterated this message to the people of Bougainville ? the importance of re-opening the Panguna mine, which is important for the economy of the region.
Mr Momis had last week brought with him businessmen from Australia and Bougainville Copper Limited?s top boss Peter Taylor and Paul Coleman to Buka for several meetings specifically on mining, tourism, hospitality and other areas of investment.
Mr Semoso, who promotes the idea of re-opening the mine in every chance he gets to speak, said the mine alone would help power the economy of Bougainville.
Mr Abal singled out the approa-ch the National Government is taking and how the Panguna mine is imperative and a priority agenda for the Government.
When speaking in Arawa on Sunday, Mr Abal appealed to the people of Bougainville to lay down their arms and move forward.
?Lay down your arms, they are destructive tools and pick up the shovel, your productive tools,? Mr Abal said. Minister Semoso appealed to ?our good people of Kieta, our mothers, we can have all the businesses moving forward, you can have foreign investment coming to your doorstep but if the law and order is not in order, you cannot have the economy of Bougainville grow.
?I appeal to you women and men of Kieta, throw away the guns and let us move Bougainville forward,? Mr Semoso said.
Mr Abal said he believes that Bougainville has a bright future and the National Government has every responsibility to see that Bougainville gets back to where it was before the crisis broke out in the late 1990s.