MIN 49/97 Wednesday, 5 March, 1997
MINISTER REFUTES AIDWATCH CLAIMS ON DEFENCE COOPERATION
The Minister for Defence, Mr Ian McLachlan, has refuted claims by the AIDWATCH organisation concerning Australia and the Bougainville conflict.
The Minister said a recent AIDWATCH document contained a number of significant inaccuracies, including comments about Australia's Defence Cooperation Program with Papua New Guinea.
"Contrary to AIDWATCH's assertions, there has never been, nor are there now any Australian Defence Force personnel 'posted' to Bougainville," Mr McLachlan said. "Short term visits by ADF personnel for specific tasks have taken place with ministerial endorsement and these visits are on the public record.
"The Defence Cooperation Program's focus on personnel and training assistance is entirely consistent with the recommendations of the 1994 Australian parliamentary delegation to Bougainville and does not support PNGDF operations on Bougainville," he said.
"In fact the parliamentary delegation recommended that the PNGDF give priority to restoring Bougainville's engineering services, health and transport infrastructure and that Australia should be willing to commit Defence Cooperation funds if necessary."
Mr McLachlan said the Defence Cooperation Program was not prolonging the Bougainville crisis.
"The primary focus of our Defence Cooperation Program with the PNGDF is on basic military skills and leadership to create a more professional, well disciplined force.
"I believe this is consistent with our efforts to encourage a peaceful resolution to the conflict," he said.
The Minister said although it was true that Australia had provided PNG with a range of defence equipment much of it, including patrols boats, aircraft and mortars, pre-dated the Bougainville crisis. Since 1992 Australia has not provided lethal defence materiel to PNG under the Defence Cooperation Program.
Mr McLachlan said it was true that the previous Government had provided Iroquois helicopters to PNG but had specified they were never to be used as gunships.
"Australia has closely monitored the use of these helicopters and has told the PNG Government that it views any breach of the agreed conditions very seriously.
"Australia is committed to the principles of international humanitarian law and will continue making strong representations to the PNG Government if reports of human rights abuses are confirmed.
"It remains the Australian Government's firm view that only a negotiated solution can bring a settlement to the Bougainville crisis," he said.
Further information:
Jim Bonner Ph 06-2777800 (b/h), 0419 438490 (mobile)