Papua New Guinea PM rules out secession for Bougainville

Papua New Guinea PM rules out secession for Bougainville

PORT MORESBY (AP): Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta on Friday ruled out secession for independence-minded Bougainville island.

He was speaking in advance of crucial and "final" talks on autonomy and an eventual referendum on independence for Bougainville, PNG's 19th province.

In a statement to Parliament, broadcast live nationally on radio and television, Morauta even ruled out greater autonomy for the island unless former Bougainville Revolutionary Army guerrillas surrendered their arms.

There was no immediate comment from the guerrillas.

Morauta's speech was conciliatory and positive in the government's acceptance of a special dispensation of power for Bougainville.

But his hard line on a weapons surrender and independence could derail planned talks on Monday between the government and Bougainville leaders.

Between 15,000 to 20,000 people died on Bougainville in a rebellion that became a war of secession between 1989 and 1998.

A cease-fire was finally called after it was revealed that then Prime Minister Julius Chan planned to call in mercenaries to corner and kill rebels leaders.

Since 1998, about 200 unarmed Australian, New Zealand, Fijian and Vanuatu defense personnel and soldiers have monitored the cease-fire while the politicians negotiate.

"The major sticking point in the political talks has been the Bougainville delegation's proposal for a constitutional guarantee for a binding referendum on independence," Morauta told Parliament.

"The difficulties it poses begin with the long-standing and unshakable determination of every Papua New Guinean government since independence - and every significant shade of current political opinion - to ensure that Papua New Guinea remains a single, united and sovereign nation."