y Gorethy KennethANOTHER break through has been achieved! The...

y Gorethy Kenneth

ANOTHER break through has been achieved! The Me?ekamui hardliners, guarding the heart of the Panguna mine have agreed the mine should be re-opened but want three major issues addressed.
Me?ekamui rebel hardliner Moses Pipiro and his team, Philip Takaung, Robin Tekapu and the Me?ekamui chiefs met with the Papua New Guinea leaders in Panguna yesterday to present their grievances for a possible solution to end the economic strife for the islanders.
Bougainville Affairs Minister Fidelis Semoso made a friendly visit to Panguna on Monday afternoon to see if he could have his way in meeting Pipiro and his team. The meeting was successful which eventually led to the big meeting with PNG departmental heads led by Mining Secretary Nellie James and National Coordination office of Bougainville Affairs director Ellison ToWallom.
Mr Pipiro who denied any involvements at all on mining meetings, agreements and discussions said he wants and will support the re-opening of the mine but not until these three issues are addressed:
* Outstanding reconciliations;
* K10 billion compensation; and
* Mining negotiations.
?For 25 years I?ve been here guarding this area. I?ve seen leaders die, many people lost their lives and I have been left out on mining awareness, agreements and other negotiations. I want to highlight the important claims which caused the war and they are to preserve the land and environment and about independent and sovereignty,? Mr Pipiro said.

?We have to balance the life of people, we need basic services ... and there is a way forward to economic recovery for Bougainville ... I?ve had sleepless nights because of this war. Step by step I want other important issues addressed which are outstanding reconciliations, compensation and land.
?I don?t see a problem working together in Bougainville. We?ve never been given the opportunity to speak and the ABG has not stood to provide an avenue for us to speak. We want unification and equal participation from the grassroots level to the leaders.?
Mr Takaung who is heading the Me?ekamui government stressed to the leaders that they also want the mine to re-open but the ABG should exercise a bit more commitment to deal with this mining issue so that they too will have a share and avenue to discuss their concerns.
Ms James acknowledged the rebels? concerns and assured that the National Government was committed to help the ABG and advised that there were issues to address and thanked them for making time to meet them.