By Simon Moore and
Bronya Cranswick
Operations of the multinational Bougainville Peace Monitoring Group (PMG) are entering the final phase, with the weapons disposal processes now well advanced.

More than 92 per cent of the weapons that were identified by the UN for containment are now at Stage Two of the three-stage weapons disposal program.

Stage Two involves the containment of weapons in special shipping containers fitted with UN seals.

The UN has made the decision to begin a process of verifying that all areas of Bougainville have completed Stage Two, and the verification process has begun in those provinces of Bougainville that have reached 100 per cent of weapons containment.

Commander PMG, Brig Ian Lillie said it was hoped the move to begin verification would bring the people of Bougainville closer to achieving an autonomous government and lasting peace.

“The next stage of the weapons disposal process will decide the final fate of the weapons and factions within Bougainville are debating whether to destroy the arms or put them in safekeeping,” he said.

“Military contingents from New Zealand, Vanuatu, Fiji and Australia have all worked hard to bring the peace process to this stage.

“Civilian monitors have also played an integral part in bringing lasting peace to the island.”

As part of the Bougainville Peace Agreement, Bougainville, currently a province of Papua New Guinea, will be able to hold elections for an autonomous government following the completion of both Stage Two and the new constitution.

The Bougainville Constitutional Committee is currently developing a new constitution and a second draft has recently been completed, with the final version expected to be completed over the next few months.

The international contingent that makes up the PMG will cease operations in Bougainville on June 30, 2003.

The withdrawal of members is expected to be completed by August.

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