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Sir Peter praised for his
contribution
THE former Bougainville Affairs
Minister Sir Peter Barter has been one of the most outstanding
politicians who stuck to his principles to achieve what he
thought was good for the people and nation.
That is the comment by the Autonomous Bougainville Government
President Joseph Kabui on Sir Peter’s departure from active
politics.
“He was a shining politician who did so much not only for
Bougainville, but for Papua New Guinea as a whole.
“He even went to the extent of using his own resources –
helicopter, aircraft and boat – to bring in relief supplies to
affected people and to transport the sick to hospitals.”
Mr Kabui said Sir Peter was a man of principle, who stood by
what he believed was good for the people and country as a whole.
He opposed the then prime minister Sir Julius Chan in bringing
in the Sandline mercenaries to put down the Bougainville
Revolutionary Army (BRA) at the height of the Bougainville
crisis.
His opposition against Sir Julius and his heavy involvement in
finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict had cost him his
position as Regional Member for Madang in 1997.
Mr Kabui said the Madang people rejected Sir Peter in 1997
because they thought he spent most of his time dealing with the
Bougainville crisis and less time on his electorate.
Despite the fact that he was not voted into Parliament in that
year, Sir Peter’s interest in Bougainville continued.
At the signing of the Lincoln Agreement in Auckland, New
Zealand, between the leaders of Bougainville and the National
Government, Sir Peter called on Mr Kabui to offer his
congratulations and also told him that he (Sir Peter) was
willing and prepared to offer any advice to Bougainville if need
be.
Mr Kabui said this showed how committed and dedicated Sir Peter
was towards the peace process in the region.
Most of the issues contained in the Bougainville agreement under
the leadership of Sir Peter as minister for Bougainville Affairs
has been achieved, like autonomy and weapons disposal with only
the question of referendum yet to be addressed.
Mr Kabui said this represented more than 50% of what was in the
issues in the peace agreement implemented and being enjoyed by
the people of Bougainville.
Mr Kabui also commended other government ministers who
contributed to the peace pro-cess one way or another like Sam
Akoitai, the late Sir Bill Skate and Prime Minister Sir Michael
Somare.
 
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