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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General welcomes Bougainville constitution

17 January 2005

Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon today congratulated the people of Bougainville on the recent adoption of their Constitution and on the provisions for an Autonomous Bougainville Government.

"For the first time in their history, the people of Bougainville are being governed under their own constitution. On behalf of the Commonwealth, I would like to congratulate the people of Bougainville on this historic achievement," said Mr McKinnon.

Mr McKinnon's statement follows a formal handover ceremony held in Arawa, Bougainville on Friday 14 January 2005, in which the National Government, represented by Minister for Inter-Government Relations Sir Peter Barter, presented the approved Constitution to the Bougainville Governor, Mr John Momis.

"This presents a significant landmark in the political history of the people of Bougainville. I congratulate the Leaders and all the people of Bougainville who have endeavoured with tremendous perseverance and vision to realise their dream of a secure and peaceful Bougainville. This is only the beginning, however. The task is now to secure a lasting peace and a sustainable economy for the island," said Mr McKinnon.

The Secretary-General also acknowledged the leadership of the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Sir Michael Somare and his Government's decision to approve the Constitution Bill in December 2004.

Mr McKinnon noted that the next step for Bougainville is to organise credible elections to form the first Autonomous Bougainville Government, as required by the Constitution.  "The Commonwealth stands ready to provide electoral assistance as required.  I have already conveyed this to Prime Minister Somare and Sir Peter Barter."

Note to Editors:  The Commonwealth Secretary-General, in his former capacity as New Zealand's Foreign Minister, was closely involved in the Bougainville peace process and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1998 for his efforts to bring peace to the island.  He has continued to take a close interest in Bougainville and visited the island most recently in April 2004, during a visit to Papua New Guinea.

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ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS DIVISION
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