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 28 March, 2003
Mr President,
Australia welcomes the opportunity to address the Security Council in its discussions on Bougainville. Australia has been a strong and consistent supporter of the peace process in the last five years through its leadership of the four-country regional Peace Monitoring Group (PMG). The PMG has supported the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville (UNPOB) in its activities, particularly in implementing the agreed weapons disposal plan. Most recently, Australia agreed to fund the withdrawal of the final PNG Defence Force elements from the province -a key provision of the peace agreement.
Since the Bougainville Peace Agreement was signed in August 2001 much progress has been made towards weapons disposal and autonomy, and agreement has been reached on the provisions of amnesty and pardon. We particularly welcome the unanimous PNG parliamentary vote for the provisions of the agreement, this time last year, and recent moves by all parties to engage with those who remain outside the peace process.
In recent weeks the constitutional drafting and weapons disposal processes have drawn closer to their conclusion. The parties have agreed to establish an Interim Joint Supervisory Body to smooth the transition to autonomy. It is essential that all parties push towards the finish line. The significant challenges to the peace process of late last year have, to a large extent, been overcome and the process must not be allowed to falter at this late stage.
The recent unfortunate shooting incident near Morgans Junction, which resulted in one person being killed, reminds us of the tensions that remain. At this stage, though, there is no indication that this incident reflects any efforts to undermine the peace process. Nor have there been any reported retaliatory acts, which demonstrates the commitment of Bougainvilleans to the peace process. Though regrettable, such incidents must not be allowed to derail the process or to distract parties from the urgency of achieving key peace process targets.
Weapons disposal remains the key issue. Australia welcomes the update provided by the Secretary-General. We also welcome Director Sinclair's recent trial of Stage II verification in Siwai district. In Australia's view, time is fast running out. Stage II verification needs to be completed promptly. Every effort should also be made to ensure that a decision on the final fate of the weapons, Stage III of the agreed weapons disposal plan, is reached as soon as possible and there is a credible process in place to ensure weapons are permanently removed from circulation. In order to make best use of the current logistical and organisational assets and expertise of the PMG, it is essential that these decisions be made before 30 June, when Australia's participation in the PMG will cease.
It is clear that the majority of people on Bougainville want to have their effective containment of weapons formally recognised and to move forward. This must also be the international community's objective. Firm timelines and benchmarks should be set. All parties must redouble their efforts to conclude both Stage II and Stage III
of the weapons disposal process. Without the verification of Stage II the draft Constitution, and with it Bougainvillean autonomy, cannot come into being. Bougainvillean autonomy would therefore be held up by a minority of interests if verification lags. The peace agreement requires that UNPOB verify that weapons registered as being collected are in secure, double-locked containers. We would urge Director Sinclair not to allow the issues of the long term security of weapons, and of Bougainville more broadly, to become distractions from the parties achieving the more limited goals of the Stage II verification process. As noted in the agreement itself, assessment on these matters would be more appropriate in the context of preparations for autonomous elections.
Australia will, of course, remain engaged in Bougainville beyond the PMG. Our focus will then be on supporting economic development, service delivery and on the establishment and functioning of the administration and autonomous government on Bougainville. It will be far more effective if our investment in economic and social development takes place in a weapons-free, secure and autonomous Bougainville, which only an effective and timely weapons disposal program can achieve.
Thank you Mr President.