Secretary-General Congratulates the People of Bougainville on Autonomous Government
16 June 2005
Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon has congratulated the people of Bougainville on the inauguration of an autonomous government. In a message delivered on 15 June 2005, Mr McKinnon said: "Today 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."
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Members of the election observer team with President of the Autonomous Bougainville Government Joseph Kabui (centre). |
The Secretary-General stated that he has been watching Bougainville's long walk to peace and autonomy since visiting the island 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 recent elections in Bougainville for an autonomous government took place following the signing of a peace agreement with the national government of Papua New Guinea in 2001 to end more than ten years of civil conflict.
Mr McKinnon noted that 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." The hostilities ended in 1997 after claiming an estimated 20,000 lives.
The Secretary-General said there is much on which Bougainville can build for its future. "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 co-operate and live in peace. I can assure you that the Commonwealth is ready to help build and maintain this house."
Mr McKinnon, who plans to visit Bougainville in October 2005, regretted that he was unable to be present in person at the historic inauguration ceremony, which was attended by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Sir Michael Somare, and national and international representatives. The Secretary-General was delighted, however, that Ratu Epeli Nailatikau, Speaker of the Fiji House of Representatives and leader of the Commonwealth/Pacific Islands Forum Expert Team which observed the elections, was able to represent him at the occasion.
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