By Frank Enright
Despite a promising start to peace talks between Papua New Guinea and Bougainville Interim Government representatives in the Solomon Islands, the meetings have been called off. After two meetings, and in breach of a signed agreement, PNG is refusing to talk with the interim government negotiating team and insists on speaking directly with leaders Francis Ona and Sam Kauona.
Moses Havini, a human rights advocate and one of the Bougainville negotiators in the initial talks, says that "in terms of security it would not be possible for these people to come over to the Solomons for talks". Havini explains that because the PNG government has put a price on Ona's and Kauona's heads, and this has not been rescinded, they are wanted men.
"We have, in fact, agreed in our meeting that all Bougainville leaders would participate in a pan-Bougainville conference. This is a scenario in which people like Francis Ona and Sam Kauona would be able to participate directly in negotiations — if this conference is held on Bougainville itself", Havini told Green Left Weekly.
A major problem for any peace plan is the abrupt changes in PNG government policy: one minute peace talks, the next increased military presence. Havini says this is "a reflection of what's happening within the Papua New Guinea cabinet. I think what we're facing here is a difference of opinion between Sir Julius Chan and [Prime Minister] Paias Wingti, not just on this issue but on other areas facing the country."
Politicking within the PNG government is taking precedence over solving the war on Bougainville, Havini complains. "Mr Wingti seems to us a man without direction, and this lack of direction is a cause of many problems in PNG. If this continues, it could affect the peace negotiations."
The peace talks in the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara have yet to discuss issues of substance but were designed to build confidence between the two sides. Future meetings should be preparatory meetings for a pan-Bougainville conference at which a cease-fire in the five-year war would be negotiated, says Havini.
"Everybody is waiting; the negotiators and the BRA on the ground are waiting. It is very sensitive at this stage, top level negotiations are going on between the Solomon Islands government and PNG to revive the talks. So we are crossing our fingers. Hopefully the talks can continue; if these talks fail then we will return to square one."
According to Havini, the time scale for progress on negotiations is September when the interim government will take its case to the UN General Assembly in New York.