Loloata Understanding

(23 March 2000)

Bougainville leaders and the National Committee on Bougainville met at Loloata Island and in Port Moresby from 17th to 23rd March 2000.

• The parties remain committed to the peace process and to continued consultation and cooperation within the framework and spirit of the Lincoln Agreement;
• The parties acknowledge that for the peace process to continue to develop successfully, it must be as inclusive as possible, having the support and approval of the widest possible range of leaders in Bougainville and in Papua New Guinea more generally;
• The parties discussed the Bougainville paper, 'Bougainville Common Negotiating Position: Expanded Details' dated 8th March 2000, the Papua New Guinea Government paper, 'The National Delegation's Position on the Bougainville Delegation's Autonomy Proposals' dated 19th March 2000, and other papers, and agree that these documents provide for future negotiations between the parties.

The Parties agree on the following matters:

Interim Arrangements

1. The Bougainville Interim Provincial Government will be established under the Transitional Provisions of the Organic Law on Provincial Governments and Local-Level Governments in accordance with the decision of the National Court of 10th March 2000.

2. The parties note that arrangements for cooperation between the Bougainville Interim Provincial Government and the Bougainville People's Congress and Councils of Elders have been agreed under the Greenhouse Memorandum of 23rd December 1999.

3. Negotiations on a political settlement will continue with the Bougainville Leaders.

Autonomy

4. The arrangement for an autonomous Bougainville Government will:

• Enable it to deal with the sources of the Bougainville conflict and prevent it from occurring again;
• Enable Bougainville to express and develop both its own identity and its relationship with the rest of Papua New Guinea.

5. The arrangements for an autonomous Bougainville Government will be provided within the Papua New Guinea Constitution, including any amendments, and will include provision for the following matters:

a) Bougainville will establish an elected autonomous Government developed through a democratic process.

b) The autonomous Bougainville Government will meet accepted standards of good governance.

c) Bougainville will have responsibility for major powers and functions of government to be agreed upon.

d) Bougainville will take some years to exercise many legislative powers and functions. Until Bougainville assumes responsibility for the full range of its powers and functions, National Government legislation and Institutions will continue to apply.

e) Bougainville will need the fiscal and personnel resources required to carry out its functions.

f) Bougainville will receive substantial funds for reconstruction, restoration and development activities to support the peace process.

Referendum

6. The National Government acknowledges the aspirations for a binding referendum on independence as called for by the Bougainvillean leaders. The parties reaffirm their support for a progressive political settlement that takes account of, among other thing, the wishes of the people of Bougainville. The parties will address the referendum issue. The parties agree that the holding of the referendum may be deferred until after autonomy has been implemented and can be fairly and properly judged.

Next Steps and Timetable

7. Officials of the parties will meet to develop:

a) Detailed proposals within the framework provided by this agreement;

b) A draft agenda for the next Leaders' meeting.

8. The parties acknowledge the helpful role that the United Nations Observer Mission on Bougainville can play at their meetings.

9. The parties agree that there should be increased direct contact between National Government Leaders and Bougainville Leaders.

10. The next Leaders' meeting will be held no later than May 2000.

Signed in Port Moresby on Thursday, the 23rd day of March 2000.

SIGNED BY:

Rt. Hon Sir Michael SOMARE

Minister for Bougainville Affairs

and Chairman of the National

Committee on Bougainville

Hon. John MOMIS

Co-Leader of the Bougainville Delegation

Joel BANAM

Chairman, Leitana Council of Elders

Joseph C KABUI

Co-Leader of the Bougainville Delegation

SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF:

Ambassador Noel SINCLAIR

Director of the United Nations Observer Mission on Bougainville

Ewan MacMILLAN

Chief Negotiator

Peace Monitoring Group

United Nations Observer Mission on Bougainville

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