Joint Communique
(18 December 1995)
Cairns, Australia
ONE
The delegation of the Bougainville Transitional Government (BTG) and the delegation of the Bougainville Interim Government (BIG) held talks in Cairns, Australia, from 14 to 18 December 1995 under the joint chairmanship of the representatives of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and of the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. A list of participants is at Annex 1.
TWO
The two delegations have agreed to enter into a process of dialogue that will permit the achievement of a political settlement to the Bougainville conflict.
THREE
The delegations of the BTG and of the BIG expressed their intention to convene a new round of Talks in Bougainville in March/April 1996. In order to ensure the success of the Talks, they have agreed to hold a series of preparatory meetings comprised of four members from each side, with the facilitation of the United Nations Secretary-General, at a venue to be determined.
FOUR
Both sides agreed, subject to the concurrence of the Papua New Guinea Government, to the continued association of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and of the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth in the on-going discussions and in their eventual outcomes.
FIVE
Representatives of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) and the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples organization (UNPO) have participated and may continue to participate in an observer capacity in the Talks. Other non-governmental organizations may be granted similar observer status with the consent of all the parties to the Talks.
SIX
At each round of Talks, the delegations will determine the degree of confidentiality that will apply.
SEVEN
The two sides have reached agreement on the Agenda for the All Bougainville Leaders' Talks (Annex 2), it being understood that the discussion of the items need not follow the order in which they are enumerated.
EIGHT
The two sides will endeavour to reach early agreement on the issues covered in the Agenda so that talks may be held between the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Bougainville leadership.
NINE
All parties to the Talks agree on the need for access to be immediately granted throughout Bougainville to UNICEF and relevant donor organizations for the implementation of health care programmes, especially child immunisation.
TEN
In so far as the BTG, the United Nations and the Commonwealth Secretariat are concerned, the understandings contained in this document are subject to the agreement of the Government of Papua New Guinea.
ELEVEN
The delegations expressed their appreciation to the Government of Australia for the excellent arrangements it had made for hosting the meeting.
TWELVE
The Representatives of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and of the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth will report to the Government of Papua New Guinea on the results of the current talks.
Signed in the presence of the Representatives of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and of the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth.
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