The Bougainville president John Momis is preparing for an historic return to Panguna 21 years after being abducted there.
President Momis was held captive by the Bougainville Revolutionary Army, led by the late Francis Ona.
He was released almost six months later.
Mr Momis has returned to Panguna only a few times, but this will be his first visit as president of the autonomous region.
He told Radio Australia how his capture ironically helped shape today's Bougainville.
"In the end it was a cordial relationship," he said.
"Frances Ona actually apologised to me for being held captive and asked me to go and represent the people of Bougainville and work for autonomy with the eventual aim of achieving political independence".
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