Gateway Communique

(9 June 2000)

The Papua New Guinea National Government Delegation and the Bougainville Leaders ('the parties') have concluded their 4th round of talks held at the Gateway Hotel, Port Moresby from 23rd May to 9th June 2000.

Building on the foundations laid down in the Lincoln Agreement and the Loloata Understanding, the parties made progress towards peace and reaffirmed their commitment to the peace process and meaningful dialogue for a political settlement.

The Bougainville Delegation presented the National Government Delegation with a detailed working paper called 'Proposals for a Special Status Agreement', outlining the proposed draft of an agreement between the parties on a political settlement. This working paper is based on a document entitled 'Autonomy and Referendum', which the National Government Delegation has accepted as the basis for further negotiations. These documents are attached to this communique. The parties agree that these documents will provide the basis for future negotiations.

The parties also discussed other issues such as capacity building, institutional strengthening, weapons disposal, amnesty and pardon, withdrawal of security forces and reconstruction of infrastructure, restoration of services and development. It was agreed that the Peace Process Consultative Committee shall meet as soon as possible to develop proposals for weapons disposal and the phased withdrawal of the PNG security forces.

The parties realize that they need further time to negotiate details of the agreement. They agree to begin further exchanges concerning all the above issues no later than the first week of July and to continue until the final agreement is concluded, no later than mid-September 2000.

The parties acknowledge the assistance of the UN and the PMG in these negotiations.

Signed at the Gateway Hotel, Port Moresby, on Friday 9th June 2000.

SIGNED BY:

Sir Michael SOMARE

Minister for Bougainville Affairs &

Chairman of the National Committee on Bougainville

John L. MOMIS

Co-Leader of Bougainville Delegation

Joseph C. KABUI

Co-Leader of Bougainville Delegation

SIGNED IN THE PRESENCE OF:

Brigadier M. SILVERSTONE

Commander, Peace Monitoring Group

Scott S. SMITH

United Nations Observer Mission on Bougainville

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