BY RUTH GRAY
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand - After nine years of civil war, fighters for Bougainville independence and the Papua New Guinea (PNG) government signed a cease-fire January 23. The cease- fire, which is to go into effect April 30, was described in the Christchurch Press as "permanent and irrevocable."

The agreement was signed after four days of talks in New Zealand at Lincoln University near Christchurch. The document, called the "Lincoln Agreement of Peace, Security and Development on Bougainville," failed to meet the demands of Bougainville leaders for an immediate withdrawal of PNG military forces. Instead, it outlines a phased withdrawal subject to the restoration of "civil authority."

The talks also failed to take up the question of Bougainville independence, which the PNG government firmly opposes. Nevertheless, the vice-president of the pro-independence Bougainville Interim Government (BIG), Joseph Kabui, pointed out that "the desire for independence is as burning as ever," in an interview with the PNG Courier January 19.

The parties to the Lincoln document agreed to dispose of all arms and ammunition on the island. They also agreed to hold an election for a "Bougainville Reconciliation Government" by the end of this year.

Among the 230 delegates at the talks were representatives of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA), which has been fighting for independence from PNG since 1988; the BIG; the PNG- backed Bougainville Transitional Government; and the PNG government, including Prime Minister William Skate.

Skate announced at the start of the talks that his government would lift a ban on Bougainvilleans applying for passports, abolish a bounty on the heads of rebels, and allow Bougainvilleans who had gone overseas to return home.

The talks were officially opened by New Zealand prime minister Jennifer Shipley. Other attendees included the foreign ministers of Australia and Fiji. Also participating were the prime minister and foreign minister of the Solomon Islands, whose country has suffered military raids by PNG troops on the pretext that it provides a haven for Bougainville rebels. Bougainville is situated at the northern end of the Solomon Islands.

A last minute addition to the talks was an observer from the United Nations, at the request of Bougainville leaders.

Since 1988 the regime in PNG has tried to crush the secessionist movement on the island of Bougainville. The Australian government, PNG's former colonial master, has armed, trained, financed, and advised PNG armed forces in fighting the BRA on Bougainville. Throughout the war Australian and New Zealand "civilian" pilots flew Australian-supplied helicopter gunships. Despite this aid, and its superior numbers, the PNG army has been unable to defeat the BRA.

The war in Bougainville began when angry traditional landowners forced the Panguna gold and copper mine, owned by the Australian company CRA, to close. Forty percent of PNG export earnings came from the mine, but less than 1 percent of the profit went back to Bougainville. The mine also caused enormous environmental damage. More than 500 acres of forest were felled, burned, and poisoned to make way for the mine. It is estimated that more than a billion tons of poisonous tailings from the mine were dumped in the rivers, killing fish, birds, and other animals.

The war has cost up to 20,000 lives, many as a result of the blockade imposed by the PNG government, which prevents food and medicine getting to the island. The population of Bougainville is estimated at between 120,000 and 160,000. Some 30,000 - 40,000 people have been displaced and forced to live in government "care centers." Schools have been closed for the last nine years.

The economic cost of the war is estimated to be $2.5 billion. The Lincoln agreement calls for a commitment to rebuild the war- torn island. The Australian government has offered $130 million over five years, conditional on a continuation of the cease- fire.

These are the third round of talks to take place in New Zealand since July 1997. The last set of talks, held in September, ended with a declaration of truce. The central leader of the rebellion on Bougainville and president of the BIG, Francis Ona, has not participated in the talks.

The New Zealand government seized the opportunity presented by its hosting of the talks to pose as a "neutral peacemaker." Since December, 320 soldiers have been stationed on the island as part of a Truce Monitoring Group, with the majority coming from New Zealand, but also including contingents from Australia, Fiji, and Vanuatu. This intervention force was part of a formal agreement between the governments of New Zealand, Australia, and PNG, without the participation of the BRA and BIG.

According to the January 12 Christchurch Press, New Zealand's representative in the talks on Bougainville, Foreign Minister Donald McKinnon, was hailed as an "architect of peace" during a two-day visit to Bougainville January 10 - 11. The January 12 New Zealand Herald reported that McKinnon "received a hero's welcome everywhere he went." The media also gives the impression that the New Zealand-led troops have been welcomed with open arms. However, it has been reported that the interior of the island, which is a stronghold of the independence fighters, is a no-go area for the imperialist intervention forces.

The Truce Monitoring Group is due to finish its mission at the end of February. Indications are that future intervention forces will be organized under the auspices of the United Nations.

In New Zealand, 150 troops are currently being trained in the likelihood that the government here will maintain its military intervention on the island.

Ruth Gray is a member of the Engineers Union in Christchurch.  
 
 
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