UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL
Statement by H.E. Mr John Dauth LVO Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
On Bougainville
New York 6 August, 2003
Mr President
Thank you for convening this open meeting on an issue to which Australia – and indeed, all the countries of the Pacific Islands Forum – attaches a great deal of importance. I am also grateful for the useful briefing provided by UNPOB Director Noel Sinclair and for the professional and comprehensive presentation by the Ambassador of Papua New Guinea, Robert Aisi.
Australia welcomes the opportunity to address the Security Council in its consideration of Bougainville. We have been a proud supporter throughout the peace process, including through the leadership of the four-country regional Peace Monitoring Group (PMG). During its five-year deployment, the PMG helped promote stability and build confidence in the peace process. This included crucial support to UNPOB, particularly in implementing the agreed weapons disposal plan.
On 1 July this year, following requests for a continued regional presence beyond the PMG, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu deployed the small, unarmed civilian-led Bougainville Transition Team (BTT). The decision to deploy the BTT, once again demonstrates the capacity of the South Pacific community to work together to meet challenges to peace and security in the region. Our efforts in the Solomon Islands are a further demonstration of this commitment.
In many ways, the decision to withdraw the MPG and deploy the BTT also reflects progress that has been made to date. This included the negotiation and signature of the comprehensive Bougainville Peace Agreement, and strong moves towards its implementation. Since the peace agreement was signed just under two years ago, around 1900 weapons have been contained, a constitution has been drafted, and the PNG Defense Force has formally withdrawn from Bougainville.
Mr President
Australia welcomes the recent verification of State II of the Weapons disposal plan by UNPOB Director Sinclair. Verification will bring into effect PNG laws implementing the Bougainville Peace Agreement, and allow for Bougainville’s autonomy. We commend all parties for the determination and commitment they have shown to date, and urge them to press forward with final stages of the peace process. In particular, parties must focus on reaching an early and credible decision on the final fate of the weapons (State III) that permanently removes them from Bougainvillean communities. They should also move swiftly to plan for free and fair elections for their autonomous government.
Indeed, there is no room for complacency. UNPOB must remain seized of the importance of concluding the formal peace process before its mandate expires at the end of the year. In particular, UNPOB should focus on promoting an early and credible State III decision. The UN Secretariat in New York must be closely engaged and provide the guidance to ensure that this occurs.
In closing, Mr President, we would note that although much has been achieved, the challenges facing Bougainville in the coming period are numerous, and include establishing an effective and affordable autonomous administration, developing credible legal and judicial arrangements, and encouraging economic development. Australia urges all parties to remain seized of these challenges, and is itself committed to providing the parties with ongoing support. We hope the international community and the UN System will also stand ready to assist in these endeavors.
Thank you Mr President.