Bougainville peace talks resume next weekend The President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, James Tanis, will visit the Mongai region of south Bougainville again next weekend as he works to strengthen the peace process. Mr Tanis will hold talks with the Mekamui breakaway region’s Commander Damien Koike [seen left with Mr Tanis] and will spend two days at the village of Mogoroi.
Mr Koike has already agreed to establish a stable Bougainville by peaceful means and has foresworn the force of arms, saying he will not fight any more.
Mr Tanis is now working on a process to get all the commanders out of Bougainville so they can negotiate true peace on neutral ground.
Upon his return from Madang last night, Mr Tanis said he had succeeded in getting the former Bougainville Affairs Minister Sir Peter Barter to co-chair a meeting along with the head of the United Nations Development Program in PNG.
The President also talked to PNG Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to get funding support for this process.
Meanwhile, PNG Deputy Prime Minister, Puka Temu [with Mr Tanis, right], this week submitted a budget for the weapons disposal program on Bougainville, which will strongly support the work of the ABG.
Story & photos by Aloysius Laukai
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