Post-Courier: 10 August 1998
BOUGAINVILLE: KABUI STILL SUPPORTS INDEPENDENCE
Bougainville rebel leader Joseph Kabui still supports the struggle for independence and says the setting up of a reconciliation government later in the year will realise "our ultimate goal''.
By JOE MAEVA
KABUI OPTS FOR SELF-RULE
PORT MORESBY: Bougainville rebel leader Joseph Kabui announced over the weekend he still supports the struggle for independence.
Speaking by satellite phone from his Paru Paru village in Central Bougainville on August 7, Mr Kabui said the setting up of a reconciliation government later in the year would actually see the island through to political independence, "our ultimate goal''.
Mr Kabui and his army commander Sam Kauona are signatories to the Lincoln
Agreement and the Burnham Truce Agreement, and as such, should be playing
their part in implementing the peace process.
However, Government authorities, particularly Islands region police commander
Assistant Commissioner John Toguata has accused Mr Kabui and Mr Kauona of
having ``hidden agendas'' in not fully supporting the peace building process.
Mr Kauona over the weekend hit out against Mr Toguata's comments.
Mr Kabui said he was not happy because the PNG Government has continued to
violate the peace accord.
He singled out the Government's failure to withdraw security forces from Arawa
two weeks after the signing of the peace agreement on June 30, and later a total
withdrawal of security forces personnel from the island.
Security forces are still on the island today, with people like Mr Toguata strongly
opposing total withdrawal until the rule of law has been established.
Mr Kabui's revelation on Friday is still supportive of BRA supreme commander
Francis Ona's move for independence.
Mr Ona announced only the day before that the struggle for independence will
continue but without more bloodshed.
He called on the Government to let his regime control law and order, something he
claims the Government has failed to do.
The relationship between Mr Ona and Mr Kabui soured just before the signing of the
Arawa peace accord with Mr Ona accusing Mr Kabui and Mr Kauona of acting
and making decisions without his approval.
Political observers on Bougainville claimed over the weekend that the two men
have constantly kept in touch despite the rift.
"You see, we are fighting for the same cause,'' Mr Kabui said.
"Who said we are enemies.''
He said he will rejoin Mr Ona when the time comes because both are fighting to
achieve the same goal (independence).
"The agenda (of independence) has never changed although the approach will now
change,'' he said, meaning the struggle for independence will no longer be carried
out through the barrel of the gun.
Mr Kabui said the BRA, particularly under his leadership, has become involved in
the peace process to try and unite all Bougainvilleans for independence.
"Getting involved in the peace process is part and parcel of the fight for
independence,'' he said.
Mr Kabui also said he and Mr Kauona will not attend any leaders meeting until
security forces have been withdrawn from Bougainville.
He said the Government has failed, first of all, to withdraw its forces from Arawa
and then the rest of the island as requested by rebels.
Mr Kabui also repeated Mr Ona's call to conduct a referendum on Bougainville for
the people to decide their political future.
He warned that if this does not take place, it would lead to further problems.