Referendum results mean more work, says Ahern

By DELORESE TALASI and CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
THE referendum results mean more work for Bougainville as it may take years to put it on the road to independence and Bougainvilleans should be united to see this through, says referendum commission chairman Bertie Ahern.
Returning the writs at the Government House on Friday, Ahern said that concluded what had been an enormous effort by both governments, fellow commissioners and everyone associated with the referendum process; international and local observers, scrutineers, officials and media.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved and wish the leaders in both Papua New Guinea and Bougainville every success as they look towards the future with hope and determination in creation of new relationships between you.
“To the people of Bougainville.
“I want to say that while that past has been a difficult one, the result was an expression of hope for the future, and an honouring of those who you lost in the conflict.
“To both Papua New Guineans and Bougainvilleans, I want to say that your best days are ahead of you. In conclusion, I want to say that as I stand here today, I am reminded of my own country and the conflict that engulfed it for 30 years.
“On the day I signed that Good Friday agreement with the Prime Minister Tony Blair, I said: ‘Today is the day we should treasure, a day when agreement and accommodation have taken the place of difference and division. Today is the promise of a bright future, a day when we can hope a line can be drawn under the bloody conflict of the past’.”