PMG work done

SMNBM Jayden Blaber from HMAS Betano at the Arawa market place with some local Bougainvilleans. The market is near Independence Park where the Closing Down Ceremony of Operation Bel Isi II was held on June 30. Photo by CPL Belinda Mepham

ABCIS Ricky Dobson from HMAS Betano with (L-R) Mark and Ben at the basketball courts near Independence Park in Arawa, one of the two main centres of Bougainville.

ABSN Ben Mallett tests his Tok Pisin language skills out at the local market in Arawa in Bougainville. Photos by CPL Belinda Mepham

MIDN Joshua Poole from HMAS Betano negotiates with local market merchants at Arawa in Bougainville. Photo by CPL Belinda Mepham

By CAPT Matt Grant and CPL Belinda Mepham

After more than five years and 4000 personnel involved in monitoring the peace process in Bougainville, the multi-national Peace Monitoring Group (PMG) has ceased operations.

Operation Bel Isi II members stood in the soaking rain with thousands of Bougainvillians on July 30, 2003, at Independence Park in Arawa to celebrate the cessation of the PMG.

The Wakunai Cultural Group danced and made an offering of food as recognition for the part the PMG had played during its five-year term.

Under a leaky tent Australian Army Band - Brisbane played for the local children’s school group choir who sang the PNG National Anthem and North Solomon’s Provincial Anthem in a downpour.

After the formal ceremony finished a lunch for visitors, representatives and PMG members was held at Loloho Warf while the band rocked on in town for the locals until mid afternoon.

The PMG comprised of unarmed military and civilian personnel from four contributing nations - Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu - which maintained neutrality in all dealings with the people of Bougainville.

The ultimate goal of all the parties involved in the Bougainville peace process has been to create the conditions in which peace will be self-sustaining.

This work has involved a number of strategies aimed at weapons containment and assisting in the establishment of a framework that will provide a secure and peaceful future for all Bougainvilleans.

One of the prime objectives has been to provide support during the transition to the establishment of the Autonomous Bougainville Government under the terms of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.

PMG Commander, BRIG Ian Lillie, said the value of the work carried out by the PMG was not only in weapons containment and furthering the peace process on Bougainville, but also in establishing a model of cooperation that set a new standard in the promotion of peace in a post conflict situation.

“The wish of the people is to live in peace and the mandate of the PMG is to facilitate that desire,” he said.

“It has not been a simple process but it has been rewarding. It has also been a valuable experience for the four nations contributing to the PMG and has established a new benchmark that will stand as a reference point for the future of peace in the region.

“For more than five years the men and women who make up the PMG have worked to form strong and lasting bonds with the Bougainvilleans.

“There are many amongst us who will return home with fond memories of Bougainville in our hearts. Our hope is that we will leave the legacy of peace and friendship in the hearts of the Bougainvilleans.”

BRIG Lillie said that while the Bougainville Transitional Team will continue to facilitate the peace process, it is the Bougainvilleans themselves who will continue to drive the process further and undertake the vital initiatives of nation building.

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