THE Waigani Communique
(18 May 1995)
The Prime Minister and the Leader of the National Government Delegation of Papua New Guinea, the Rt. Hon Sir Julius Chan and the Premier and Leader of the Bougainville Transitional Government Delegation, Mr Theodore Miriung having met at Mirigini House, Port Moresby on 18 May, 1995, and:
Pursuing the Charter of Mirigini through the establishment of the Bougainville Transitional Government.
Noting that the functions of the Bougainville Transitional Government include a negotiated settlement towards peace, normalcy, services and permanent legal authority to the situation on Bougainville.
Committed to their on-going programs for consultations and negotiations, including dialogue on all other issues pertinent to the resolution of the Bougainville situation, such as:
i) Pardon Amnesty and Temporary Refuge;
ii) Reconciliation and Compensation;
iii) Restoration of Services and Reconstruction of Bougainville;
iv) and others.
Taking realistically into account the current situation, including the wishes of the Chiefs, the Bougainville Transitional Government Assembly, various interest groups, other leaders and the people of Bougainville as a whole for peace and unity through the provision of incentives, resources and goodwill.
Having held extensive discussions,
HAVE AGREED as follows:
Amnesty (Pardon) for Surrendered Area
1. That the National Government will grant as from 2400hrs on 18 May 1995, within the framework of the laws of Papua New Guinea, and as part of the overall settlement to the Bougainville crisis, amnesty to various members of illegal and criminal forces, groups and individuals.
2. This amnesty from prosecution will commence from October 1988 to 2400hrs of the date of the signing of this Communique.
3. The National Government also grants as of 2400hrs of 18 May 1995, amnesty for the surrender and destruction of all firearms in possession of these illegal, criminal forces, groups and individuals up to and including a period of fourteen (14) days.
Rehabilitation of Bougainville Economy
(Future of Panguna Mine and Plantations)
4. That the rehabilitation of the Bougainville Provincial economy must be approached in the same manner, framework and process applied in respect of the development of resource projects in the rest of the country. That these resource projects shall be looked at as "new projects".
5. That the re-opening of the Panguna Mine shall be based on a re-negotiated arrangement and that proceeds from it also contribute towards the restoration programme in the Province.
6. That compensation for "people" will be addressed in the context of and as part and parcel of the Rehabilitation Programme of the economy. The "people" to be compensated will be categorized by the BTG and settlement will be made with the constraints of resources and capacities of the Province and the National Government.
Future Administrative Arrangements for the Restoration Programme
7. That the Bougainville Transitional Government in the interim arrangement must be responsible for the programming and implementation of the 3R Strategy - Restoration Programme.
8. The permanent Government for Bougainville, upon its establishment, will be responsible for the continued programming and implementation of that Progamme.
9. The budgeting, financing and implementation of the 3R Strategy – Restoration Programme shall be the responsibility of the Department of Bougainville.
Future of Resistance Forces
10. That a package will be negotiated to:
i) recognize the contributions by Resistance Forces;
ii) consider making appropriate compensation;
iii) re-deploy them to other productive activities within the Province and country as a whole; and
iv) rehabilitate and re-settle them into normal life.
Future Structure of Provincial Government of Bougainville
11. That a permanent structure of Provincial Government for Bougainville will be installed as soon as possible. This will be the responsibility of the Premier and his Transitional Government to develop and propose to the National Government, taking into account the principles of self-reliance, links and power sharing under the National Constitution.
12. The National Government will lift all restrictions of travel including prize rewards of K200,000 previously set for the apprehension and prosecution of BRA leaders, including Joseph Kabui, Francis Ona and Sam Kauona in order to enable them to become part of, and participate in, the dialogue, goodwill, peace and normalcy through the Bougainville Transitional Government.
Implementation
13vThat officials of the National Government and the Bougainville Transitional Government shall carry out detailed negotiations and conclude programmes and projects arising from this Communique and those envisaged in the Charter of Mirigini, and report to the next meeting on 29 May 1995.
Signed at Waigani, on the 18th day of May, 1995.
SIGNED BY:
Rt. Hon. Sir Julius CHAN, GCMG KBE MP
Prime Minister
National Government of Papua New Guinea
Mr. Theodore MIRIUNG
Premier
Bougainville Transitional Government
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