Capt Jeff Ashton, from the Peace Monitoring Group based in Bougainville, PMG, inspects weapons that have been brought forward by the Bougainville Revolutionary Army for containment. Photo by Cpl Jason Weeding 1JPAU(P)

From WO2 Al Green
in Bougainville

THE once war-torn island of Bougainville is a lot quieter these days thanks to the efforts of Australian soldiers and their multinational counterparts in the Peace Monitoring Group, responsible for the ongoing task of assisting the locals in ridding their nation of its deadly arsenal.

In December 2001, Operation Bel Isi II was given an additional task.

Not only is the operation responsible for monitoring peace on Bougainville and the investigation of cease-fire violations, it is now assisting the UN Observer Mission Bougainville (UNOMB) with the collection and containment of weapons and the destruction of ammunition used during the crisis.

This is an important step in the process of granting autonomy and ultimately a referendum on independence for the people of Bougainville.

Army accompanied a helicopter-borne patrol into a former Bougainville Revolutionary Army mountain stronghold.

To the accompaniment of a tropical rainstorm drumming on corrugated iron, patrol commander Capt Jeff Ashton issued his orders to a multinational party consisting of military observers, signallers and medics, as well as Australian civilian peace monitors.

While the objective was to assist local ex-combatants to secure their weapons, Capt Ashton emphasised aspects critical to the safe conduct and return of the patrol.

In the mountains the following morning, the cloud cleared over the objective and from 1km above, the helicopters peeled off and spiraled down to land on a tiny patch of green in the jungle – the soccer pitch.

The patrol was welcomed by villagers and former combatants.

Their dedication to the peace process is such that some have trekked through difficult mountain terrain to attend the weapon securing ceremony.

In the natural amphitheatre of lush green hills, to speeches and prayers, a new era and a new attitude – one set on peace and prosperity – emerges.

Capt Ashton records high power weapons contained by the ex-combatants, M16s – all in perfect working order.

He said the handing over of weapons of this quality is a sign of the Bougainvilleans’ faith in the process.

This patrol is typical in its success – the weapons disposal program has made steady progress in all districts of Bougainville.

Part of that success is due to the process itself, which ensures security for the villagers.

There are three stages to weapon containment.

Stage-one is the collection of the weapons in a village on request of the faction commander or the village chief.

The weapons are catalogued, photographed and contained at the village in a grey trunk. The trunk and the keys remain in the village.

Stage-two is the containment of the stage-one trunks, from a district or sub-district, in white-painted BMS containers. All the trunks are then placed inside and the BMS is locked with two padlocks. One key is held by the most senior factional member and the other key by the UNOMB.

A UN seal is then placed on the BMSS to ensure the validity of the containment.

Stage-three has not yet been formally decided however, it is proposed that it will be either the destruction of the weapons, or their containment for further use by a Bougainville Police Force after autonomy has been granted.

After the patrol objectives were met, Capt Ashton shared a meal with the villagers, voiced his hopes for the future, and departed. The chopper rose, the mountain village shrouded once again in mist – the hills surrounding it now a little less deadly thanks to the co-operation of the Bougainvilleans and the dedication of the Australian-led patrol.

.