Wrong move will be disastrous for B’ville

 THE National Minister for Communications and Information Technology and Member for Central Bougainville, Jimmy Miringtoro, who facilitated a secret meeting between the illegal Mekamui government and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, has never supported the work of the Autonomous Bougainville Government and lacks knowledge of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.  

Knowing well the Bougainville Peace Agreement (BPA) is an agreement between the Government of PNG and the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) on behalf of the people of Bougainville, this minister decided to bring in an illegal organisation that is even not part of the BPA to three-hour discussion with the PM.

 The Prime Minister was stupid enough to sit down and discuss mining issues with those who are not part of the BPA. 

The only legal authority on the ground in Bougainville is the ABG through the leadership of Chief John Momis.

 After all, the National Government has no say on mining issues in Bougainville under the current authority where all the mining powers have been transferred to Bougainville through the ABG. 

Moreover, the people of Kieta must understand that anything to do with re-opening of Panguna or any mining within Bougainville will require consultations in all parts of Bougainville. 

I say this because not only the Kieta and the Panguna landowners who lost their lives. In fact very few Kieta people died during the Bougainville Crisis compared to those from North and South Bougainville.

 So Miringtoro, the South and North Bougainvilleans are closely watching you. You need to respect the ABG as the lawful authority on the ground.

 To the Prime Minister, any wrong move you make by entertaining others apart from the ABG will result in more bloodshed in Bougainville. 

You need to deal with all Bougainvilleans than only with a small group of anti-ABG and illegal group who call themselves the Mekamuis.

To the PM, we know what your ulterior motives are – that is to split Bougainvilleans so that we will continue to fight each other and divert from our initial focus of seeking political  self-determination.

Airo Kuhah

Siuwai Nopong

Buka, AROB