Peace hopes for PNG's island slim

Peace hopes for PNG's island slim

PORT MORESBY (Reuter): Hopes for peace on the Papua New Guinea island of Bougainville are under threat again after rebel leaders returning by boat from peace talks in Australia were fired upon by government troops, rebel spokesmen said.

Rebel leader Joseph Kabui said on Sunday the troops ambushed rebel leaders on Bougainville last Wednesday after he said they had been promised a safe passage back to the island.

Rebels from the pro-secession Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) fired back and wounded a member of a resistance force who are fighting with the government to end the seven-year war.

However, the PNG Defense Force (PNGDF) said it had not received instructions to allow the rebels a safe passage despite Kabui producing what he said was a letter guaranteeing this movement.

"We are trying very hard to make peace on Bougainville but it is these kinds of acts that undermine the trust and confidence of the people," Kabui said in a statement.

"We are waiting for a full explanation from the Prime Minister (Sir Julius Chan) and appropriate action to be taken against those responsible for this outrage, otherwise the BRA will be forced to retaliate," he said.

Kabui said the attack took place near Koromira as rebel leaders crossed back into Bougainville from the adjoining Solomon Islands by boat.

The rebels were returning from a second round of peace talks with Papua New Guinea government officials and other Bougainville leaders in the northern Australian city of Cairns.

Security forces on Bougainville confirmed the attack and said it was normal to ensure no illegal crossings at a common international sea border.

"No one...informed us of their return so how would we have known it was them," a defense forces spokesman said.

A third round of peace talks was scheduled for March/April this year to continue discussions on disarming all factions, amnesty for rebels, and the future status of Bougainville but it was feared this renewed fighting could jeopardize this meeting.

The conflict on Bougainville has devastated the resource-rich island, stopping all vital services and halting its lucrative agricultural and mining industries, including CRA Ltd's massive Panguna copper mine, idle since 1989.

Since the conflict began, hundreds of people have died, either in fighting or due to a lack of medical supplies available on the island, 800 kilometers northeast of Port Moresby.