ABG all set for JSB meeting in Port Moresby

THE Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) is preparing to attend the final meeting of the joint supervisory body (JSB) in Port Moresby this week.
ABG President James Tanis said any decision not to proceed with the scheduled JSB meeting, which was originally scheduled for Kavieng on Feb 26, was rejected by the Bougainville Executive Council (BEC) because it defeated the previous resolution on the date and venue for the consultation between both governments.
“I was mandated by the BEC in its special meeting last Friday to immediately inform the National Government that the JSB meeting will proceed as planned, and will be convened in Port Moresby instead of New Ireland province,” Mr Tanis said.
The ABG has requested Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to attend since it will be the final meeting between the current ABG and the National Government in light of the ABG 2010 general election.
The BEC also endorsed representatives of foreign missions in Port Moresby to attend the meeting.
Mr Tanis said the BEC had also mandated the ABG representatives to the JSB meeting to include on the agenda a status report on the implementation of all JSB resolutions.
This report will be tabled in the first meeting of the JSB after the ABG election.
The JSB is made up of the National Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government to concentrate on the implementation of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.