ABG, Govt set for high level talks
By HARLYNE JOKU
AUTONOMOUS Bougainville Gover-nment (ABG) President Joseph Kabui said yesterday a decision would be reached soon on the issue of ownership of mineral and gas resources in Bougainville.
Mr Kabui said the issue is “contentious” and he hoped a decision would be reached between the National Government and ABG at the next joint supervisory board (JSB) meeting in Alotau on March 31.
The JSB is made up of the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, Mr Kabui, their senior ministers and advisers.
Mr Kabui said the issue of weapons disposal is a sensitive one that would take time.
He said ABG has declared 2008 as its year for weapons disposal and reconciliation.
He said he was proud that ABG has made the commitment to dispose their weapons.
Mr Kabui made the remarks in response to concerns raised by senior Government officials over the delay in the weapons disposal programme as agreed under the Bougainville peace agreement.
Senior Government officials agreed that most firearms used by the BRA have not been surrendered since the Government withdrew its forces.
“Weapons disposal is an issue that the ABG has to deal with. It is no longer an issue for the National Government since it withdrew forces from the island. ABG has to inform our leaders on the status of the weapons disposal programme,” he said.
Acting Secretary for Inter-Government Rela-tions Russell Ikosi confirmed the issue is the first on the agenda during the department heads meeting to be discussed along with ABG recommendations for the National Government to speed up legislation on the transfer of powers and responsibilities from the National Government to ABG.
Several of these powers include ABG’s control of their own mining and other resources, collection of taxes and internal revenue and police, among others.
ABG is responsible for ensuring gun surrender and disposal according to the peace agreement while the Government’s onus is to pass legislation on the transfer of powers.
Mr Ikosi said Friday’s meeting had recommended that the issue be discussed at the second JSB meeting.
He said ABG is expected to present the latest status on the weapons disposal programme.
Meanwhile, a team of various Government agencies are working on the Government’s position on the transfer of powers and administrative matters for ABG.
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