September Moments in Bougainville History

compiled by Leonard Fong Roka

 

1 September 1975

Declaration of the ‘Republic of North Solomons’

September 1990

 PNGDF lands at Buka Island .

 

September 1992

PNG said it would apologize to the Solomon Islands for a raid on a village in which two people died. PM Paias Wingti stated that his government would also pay compensation to the victims’ families. Relations between the countries broke down after the attack. The Solomon Islands are calling for a third party mediation

September 1994

Sir Julius Chan meets Sam Kauona, leader of the BRA, in Honiara . Agreement on the deployment of a South Pacific Peace Keeping Force to Bougainville made up of troops from Australia , New Zealand , Tonga , Fiji and Vanuatu to provide security for peace talks in Arawa.

September and December 1995

Talks in Cairns attended by BRA, BIG and BTG representatives. December talks jointly chaired by representatives of the Secretary-General of the UN and the Commonwealth Secretariat.

September 1995

The text of a proposed framework treaty on future relations between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands has been finalized. The treaty did not however address the potential repatriation of some 2000 people who fled to the Solomon Islands to escape Bougainville's secessionist war

14 September 1995

Peace talks between the BRA, the central government, and the Bougainville transitional government (which is supported by the federal government) concluded in Cairns, Australia, on a positive note. The leader of the transitional government in Bougainville, Theodore Miriung says that they could be the start of a genuine reconciliation

27 Septerber 1995

PNG's Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan says that Bougainville will always remain an integral part of the country

September 1996

Prime Minister Skate announces extended terms of reference for a new Sandline Enquiry.

September 1996

NCDC Governor Bill Skate calls for national referendum on Independence for Bougainville.

September 1998

Final Sandline Report tabled in Parliament and released

 

September 1998

The Government fails to pass legislation enabling Bougainville to set up a ‘Bougainville Reconciliation' government (BRG) to replace the current provincial government, theoretically organic law takes over and Bougainville comes under the same provincial government legislation as the other 18 provinces in the country. This being the case, John Momis would become ‘governor'. However, at the recommendation of the Minister responsible for Bougainville Affairs Sam Akoitai, the NEC using its powers suspended the ‘provincial government', allowing the BRG to be formed with Joseph Kabui and former premier Gerard Sinato as co-chairman of the Constituent Assembly. John Momis and the Opposition are challenging its legality in Court.

September 1996

Death of ten PNG security force personnel at Kangu Beach, South Bougainville.

September 1999

Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta recommends that the suspension be extended for six months and that it be conditional on the parties to the peace process putting in place a permanent structure during that period.

The Regional Member John Momis challenges the suspension in the National Court .

26-27 September 2001

Weapons disposal fact-finding mission visits Bougainville

 

10 September 2002


Inaugural session of the Bougainville Constitutional Commission in Buka

 

30 September 2002

Self-imposed deadline for Stage II passed un-met – 1611 weapons had been contained. Ex-combatants propose 24 December as new deadline.

 

Further Reading links:

·         Bougainville Copper Limited (http://bcl.nlawebdesigns.com/bougainville/history.html)

·         Bougainville Copper Limited (http://bcl.nlawebdesigns.com/bougainville/chronology-of-peace-process.html)

·         Refworld (http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/topic,463af2212,469f2ebe2,469f38ca17,0,,,.html)