Dispute Resolution Committee – 2005

Written by

The “PNG government issued official invitations for [an] international delegation to observe the first general election for the autonomous government for Bougainville. [The] Cabinet made this decision after a joint submission by the minister for foreign affairs and immigration, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, and Minister for Inter-Government Relations Sir Peter Barter, following discussions with Bougainville leaders in the interim joint supervisory body in March.”1

Dispute Resolution Committee – 2003

Written by

As the constitution drafting and weapons disposal process drew closer to a conclusion, February 18-19, 2003, “[e]leven PNG Ministers travelled to Bougainville. Sir Peter Barter signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bougainvillean leaders to establish an Interim Joint Supervisory Body (IJSB) as a mechanism to manage Bougainville ‘s transition towards autonomy.”2 On October 23, 2003, PNG Government Attorney General, Francis Damem, made a statement to Radio Australia regarding the draft Bougainville constitution. Radio Australia quoted Mr. Damem as saying that the second draft of the constitution of the proposed Autonomous Bougainville Government, “is flawed and is facing big changes”. Mr. Damem is quoted as saying: “My department has been working on a response by the National government to Bougainville on the second draft constitution”. The Interim Joint Supervisory Body called a meeting and issued a statement calling for disciplinary action against Mr. Damem.3