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Message from the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Rt Hon Don McKinnon, on the Inauguration of the Autonomous Bougainville Government

15 June 2005

Members of the Team with President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government Joseph Kabui

Members of the election observer team with President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government Joseph Kabui (centre).

I am very sorry that I cannot be with you to join these celebrations on this memorable day.

I have watched Bougainville's long walk to peace and autonomy and have been on that hard road with you at times since I first visited the island almost ten years ago. I was always impressed with the determination of the people of Bougainville - old and young, male and female.

You have long called for greater control of your own lives including the ability to govern your own affairs. Bougainville now has an autonomous government and its own special place within Papua New Guinea, the South Pacific region, and the wider world.

The price of achieving this goal has been high. Each life lost since the outbreak of hostilities in 1989 was always one precious human life too many. Each child left without schooling was one child too many. Each patient left ill and untreated was one patient too many.

Today, then, must be a day not only for celebrating a moment in history. It must also be a day for learning from history and for looking forward with optimism and renewed determination.

There is much on which Bougainville can build. You have chosen new leaders through peaceful and democratic elections. You have worked with tremendous energy and enthusiasm along with many international partners.

These are strong foundations on which to build the new house of Bougainville - a house in which all should live in peace and harmony; where this community's economic riches should be well-managed and shared; and, where neighbours should cooperate and live in peace. I can assure you that the Commonwealth is ready to help build and maintain this house.

If there was one place in the world I would like to be right now, it is with you all on Bougainville rather than being here in London. Nevertheless, I look forward to visiting Bougainville again in October.

Lukim yu.

Don McKinnon

 

15 June 2005

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