PRIME Minister Hon. James Marape has called on Members of Parliament, the People of Bougainville and all Papua New Guineans to approach the historic Parliamentary consideration of the 2019 Bougainville Referendum Result with wisdom, patience, mutual understanding and an unwavering commitment to Peace.
Prime Minister Marape spoke in Parliament today following the historic Tabling by Minister for Bougainville Affairs Hon. Manasseh Makiba of the Bougainville Referendum Result, Joint Consultation Report and Melanesian Framework, formally placing the matter before the National Parliament for consideration under Section 342 of the Constitution.
The Prime Minister emphasised that today’s Tabling represents an important milestone, but not the conclusion of the Parliamentary process. “Today’s Tabling is therefore an important milestone, but it is not the conclusion of the Parliamentary process,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Parliament now has the opportunity to carefully examine the Referendum Result, the Joint Consultation Report, the Melanesian Framework, and to Debate their contents and implications before making its Decision at a future Sitting.” Prime Minister Marape said the Government envisages Parliament returning to the matter, possibly in October, subject to further Consultation between the National
Government and Autonomous Bougainville Government, with dedicated Parliamentary time to allow Members and Governors to contribute fully before an eventual Vote. “No Member should be rushed into making such an important Decision,” he said. “We are allowing time for all Members to review all documents, research matters of fact and see your country from a lens of Bougainville, and Bougainvilleans see their country from a lens of the rest of the country.”
A JOURNEY FROM CONFLICT TO PEACE AND PARLIAMENT
Speaking a day after Papua New Guinea observed the National Day of Prayer and Repentance, Prime Minister Marape began his Statement by extending an apology to the People of Bougainville for the pain and suffering associated with the Crisis. “On behalf of the 21 Provinces of Papua New Guinea, to the Autonomous
Region of Bougainville, to every son and daughter, to every man and woman…if we have offended you in any way, form or shape…we want to say sorry,” he said.
The Prime Minister reflected on the difficult history beginning with the Crisis in 1988, the subsequent Peace Initiatives of successive Governments and Leaders, and the Signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement on 30 August 2001, which transformed Conflict into a Constitutional Process based on Reconciliation, Autonomy, Referendum and Consultation.
He paid tribute to former Prime Ministers and National and Bougainville Leaders who contributed to Peace, including Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Late Sir Joseph Kabui, Late Sir Bill Skate and others, as well as successive Ministers for Bougainville Affairs and the United Nationsfor its continuing support for the Peace Process.
Prime Minister Marape commended Minister Makiba for carrying the Constitutional Process to this historic stage. “This, in my view, ranks the number one task of this Parliament — making sure that the Peace Agreement is processed to its finality,” he said.
The 2019 Referendum saw the people of Bougainville peacefully and overwhelmingly express their preference for Independence. Prime Minister Marape stressed that the Result must always be respected as part of the historical record, while the Constitution places responsibility upon the National Parliament to determine the way forward. “The Result is 97.7 per cent. Whatever happens when this Parliament takes a Vote, the Result will stand tall forever into the future,”he said.
“PEACE MUST ALWAYS PREVAIL”
Prime Minister Marape urged Members of Parliament not to approach the eventual Vote with predetermined positions, but to study the documents, consult their people and consider both Bougainville’s aspirations and the wider National Interest. “Think from their perspective,” he told Parliament. “And I ask Bougainville and my brothers and sisters, think from our perspective. Together we think from each other’s perspective.” He made clear that whateverbParliament ultimately decides, the Government remains committed to dialogue and a peaceful pathway forward.
“Whatever the Decision Parliament makes, ultimately, Peace must always prevail,” Prime Minister Marape said.
The Prime Minister said the Marape–Rosso Government had demonstrated its commitment to the Peace Process through the continuing drawdown of Powers, transfer of State Land, arrangements concerning Panguna Mine and work towards greater Economic Empowerment and Self-Reliance for Bougainville.
He assured Bougainvilleans that the eventual Parliamentary Vote should not be viewed as the end of dialogue, with Constitutional Processes and Engagement between both Governments continuing beyond Parliament’s Decision. “Let’s uphold the Spirit of Peace that was signed and inked on the 30th of August, 2001, and without fear construct something that is good for all of us going forward,” Prime Minister Marape said. “Whatever it is, God has placed us here to find a win-win solution for all of us.” Quoting the Beatitudes in the Bible, the Prime Minister reminded Parliament: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” He concluded: “Let’s not be fearful of this process. Let’s run it through.”