By Norm Dixon
The Bougainville Freedom Movement is concerned at the New Zealand government's announced intention to scale back its role in the truce monitoring group (TMG) on Bougainville, and offer Australia leadership of the force.
Under the peace agreement signed in Christchurch on January 23, the TMG was to oversee the truce between the Bougainville Revolutionary Army and the PNG Defence Force until a "permanent cease-fire" scheduled to begin on May 1. At that point, it is likely the TMG will don blue berets to form the core of a UN-endorsed peacekeeping force.
The TMG consists of around 300 troops from New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. The biggest contingent is from NZ, numbering some 220 including civilian support staff. The TMG is commanded by NZ officers.
On March 19, NZ foreign minister Don McKinnon said that Wellington could no longer afford that number of TMG troops, and suggested that NZ's contingent be reduced to as few as 30.
McKinnon said that in the light of Australia "committing something like $130 million to the reconstruction of the island during the next five years, it is appropriate it takes a more forward role".
McKinnon conceded that Canberra's support for the PNGDF over the years meant Australia was seen by many Bougainvilleans as an enemy, but added, "Acceptance of Australia's presence on the island has changed positively in the time the TMG has been there".
On March 26, the Bougainville Interim Government representative in Australia, Moses Havini, told Pacnews news agency that the BIG and the Bougainville Revolutionary Army will accept Australia taking command of the TMG.
However, he said, the BIG and BRA would have to develop new confidence in the Australian Defence Force following its support for the PNGDF during the decade-long war on Bougainville. Havini added that Australian foreign minister Alexander Downer had done a great deal to improve relations.
However, on March 27, the Bougainville Freedom Movement said Australia should not take the leadership of the TMG. "The Australian government must acknowledge the conflict of interest that exists between its established relationship with the PNG government and its growing responsibilities in overseeing the peace process on Bougainville.
"Australia's existing treaties of cooperation with PNG severely restrict its ability to act as a 'neutral' peace monitor ... For the past 10 years the governments of Australia and PNG have waged a prolonged and brutal war against the people of Bougainville with the long-term aim of suppressing the secessionists and re-opening the Panguna copper mine owned by Rio Tinto.
"Australia has been heavily involved in the war through training, equipping and financing the PNGDF operations on Bougainville ... with patrol boats, speed boats, Iroquois helicopters and Nomad aircraft which have been used to maintain and enforce a blockade around the island ...
"The people of Bougainville are rightfully insisting on fair treatment ... Only a neutral party can guarantee leadership", the BFM concluded.