THE Hutjena Record

(15 December 1999)

Recording a meeting between the delegation of the Government of Papua New Guinea and the delegation of Bougainville on the 14th and 15th day of December 1999.

Record of Meeting

The Bougainville Delegation presented to the Rt. Hon. Sir Michael Somare GCMG CH MP a document recording Bougainville's common view as to the future of Bougainville, and noted that the people of Bougainville are of the firm conviction that the issues of Autonomy and Referendum are inseparably linked and must be considered together.

In receiving the document Sir Michael Somare said that

The National Executive Council has met and defined the PNG Government delegation's mandate, which includes receiving proposals from the Bougainville delegation, presenting them to NEC, and providing a reply; and

Whatever might be requested, discussed or agreed here is subject to the final authority of the NEC and the National Parliament.

The following common understandings have been reached:

1. That the Minister shall take a submission on the issue of Referendum as outlined in the Bougainville Parties joint negotiating document to the National Executive Council for its consideration.

2. That the Government of Papua New Guinea agrees that the highest possible Autonomy shall be granted to Bougainville, subject to negotiation.

3, That the Government shall at the same time provide its response to the principle of Referendum as outlined in the Bougainville proposal.

4, As a result of the decision of the Supreme Court of Papua New Guinea on the suspension of the Government of Bougainville, interim arrangements for Government on Bougainville should be developed and agreed between the Parties.

5, The Parties shall meet before the end of January 2000 to consider the responses of the Government of Papua New Guinea.

Signed on the 15th day of December 1999

SIGNED BY:

Rt. Hon. Sir Michael T. SOMARE, GCMG, CH, MP

On behalf of the Papua New Guinea Delegation

Joseph C. KABUI

On behalf of the Bougainville Delegation

Hon. John MOMIS

On behalf of the Bougainville Delegation

AND WITNESSED BY:

Ambassador Noel SINCLAIR

United Nations Observers Mission

Brigadier Frank ROBERTS

Commander PMG

Hon. Kilroy GENIA, MP

Minister for Justice

Hon. Michael OGIO, MP

Minister for Forest

Hon. Michael LAIMO, MP

Member for South Bougainville

Hon. Samuel AKOITAI, MP

Member for Central Bougainville

James TANIS

Vice President

Bougainville Peoples Congress

Thomas ANIS

Vice President

Bougainville Peoples Congress

Mr. Joel BANAM

Chairman, Council of Elders

Leitana

Mr. Carolus KETSIMUR

Chairman, Council of Elders

North Bougainville

Mr. Joseph BANA

Chairman, Council of Elders

South Bougainville

Mr. Gurdon BURE

Chairman, Council of Elders

Central Bougainville

Mrs. Elizabeth BURAIN

Women's Representative

Top | PNG-Bougainville | Contents