Referendum results depend on planning, says Webster

By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
Time is crucial for the national Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government to have plans to implement the results of the Bougainville Referendum, senior Bougainville Referendum researcher Dr Thomas Webster says.
He was speaking during the launch of National Research Institute’s Research Report of Bougainville Referendum Outcome Issues in Port Moresby yesterday.
“It is six months to go before the referendum takes place on June 15, 2019,” Webster said.
“Both Governments have yet to come up with plans to implement the Bougainville people’s decision in order to avoid confusion and agitation.
“The Bougainvilleans will vote either for independence or for greater autonomy.
“There should be plans set up by now by both governments to implement one of these choices.
“We just have to look at what the British government is now facing after voting to leave the European Union.
“They have voted without having a plan to implement what they will do after leaving the EU (European Union).
“Now we are seeing on international media about them arguing in their Parliament about their decision to leave the EU.
“Such outcome is not conducive for Bougainville and we should try as much as possible to learn from this experience.”
Webster said both Governments should set up a ministerial committee to plan for the outcome of the referendum.
“Both of these Governments need to come up with negotiation points,” he said.
NRI director Dr Osborne Sanida said the outcome of the referendum would be challenging to Papua New Guinea.
“The next 12 months will be challenging, but we stand by to contribute in whatever way we can on a journey to eventual peace and prosperity for the people of Bougainville as well as the people of PNG,” he said.
“The future of Bougainville is like we are entering uncharted waters.
“It is the beginning of another round of negotiations to extend the Bougainville Peace Agreement and reach a new agreement on implementation of the referendum results.
“Both of these Governments need to come up with negotiation points,” he said.
NRI director Dr Osborne Sanida said the outcome of the referendum would be very challenging to Papua New Guinea. “The next 12 months will be challenging, but we stand by to contribute in whatever way we can on a journey to eventual peace and prosperity for the people of Bougainville as well as the people of PNG,” he said.
“The future of Bougainville is like we are entering ‘uncharted waters’.
“It is the beginning of another round of negotiations to extend the Bougainville Peace Agreement and reach a new agreement on implementation of the referendum results.
“Whatever the results of the referendum, it is going to have a bigger impact on relations among the people of Bougainville and also between the people of Bougainville and PNG.”