The fifth round of talks between the Papua New Guinea government and Bougainville leaders, that opened on September 4, marked limited progress towards a lasting political settlement for Bougainville. After three years of negotiations, the likelihood that PNG will give into Bougainville's demand for a referendum on independence remains low.
Hundreds of people participated in a rally on August 30 in Arawa, central Bougainville. A petition was presented to the province's governor John Momis and Bougainville People's Congress president Joseph Kabui calling on PNG and Bougainville leaders to "demonstrate real serious commitments on the question of highest autonomy and a binding referendum on independence". On September 4, the Bougainville delegation presented the petition to the PNG delegation.
In an address on September 1, PNG Prime Minister Mekere Morauta said his government was firmly against secession or a referendum on independence. He made it clear that "autonomy" would require "three or so five-yearly joint reviews" before a referendum could be considered.
The Port Moresby Post-Courier reported on September 6 that the Bougainville delegation had welcomed some aspects of the PNG government's proposals, including a constitutional guarantee of autonomy and an organic law on autonomy, a provision for Bougainville to adopt its own constitution and measures to increase the powers and functions of the province's administration.
However, the delegation demanded that the PNG government go further and guarantee Bougainville the right to hold a referendum on independence in the future.
In a step to appease those in Bougainville frustrated with PNG government delays, Morauta presented a motion to parliament on September 1 to provide a constitutional framework for a referendum.
Morauta reiterated Port Moresby's stance that legislation required to implement the autonomy agreement would only be acted upon once the disposal of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army's weapons had been completed.
Prior to the autonomy agreement, Bougainville leaders had given September 15 as the deadline for the PNG government to agree to a binding referendum on independence.
BY MARK ABBERTON