News September 2011

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News 09.2011

30.09.2011

Source: Bougainville Copper Limited

New BCL Presentation!

New Panguna

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29.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Oil Palm bid for island to start soon

BOUGAINVILLE'S multi-million kina Torokina Oil Palm project is now a step closer to being started.
Last week Hakau Investment, the company chosen to undertake the region's impact project, officially presented the report to Bougainville president John Momis and the administrator Lawrence Dising.
The report, titled ‘The Torokina Oil Palm Project Rapid Rural Appraisal’, was done by Hakau Investment under the project manager Jim Mann Pangari and executives Sir Aiwa Olmi and the managing director Fabian Chow.
"This report that my staff tirelesly worked on covers everything from socio-economic aspects, general infrastructure, forest surveys, soil agronomy, village profiles and clan organisations in the whole project site of Torokina," Mr Pangari said. The project implementation and timely execution will require the full co-operation of all parties concerned - which is the Autonomous Bougainville Government and its administration, the people of Torokina, landowners and various other stakeholders. It is also interesting to note the huge difference in this report compared to the first report on the same project," he said.
Mr Momis thanked the team for a job well done and said that the project was going to be the lifeline for the people of Torokina, and a trademark for the Government which will seriously help finance and develop the area which has little or no Government project presence since the war.
Mr Chow and Sir Aiwa Olmi , who presented the report, said they stood ready to assist Bougainville and provide the much needed development Torokina so deserved.

27.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Nisira wants Bougainville to be gun-free

BOUGAINVILLE Vice-president Patrick Nisira is calling on all former combatants to work towards demilitarising the whole region.
Mr Nisira made the appeal because he wants ABG to dismantle all its “local army”, basically the factions that are currently active before a date for holding the referendum for Bougainville’s Independence is negotiated with the National Government of Papua New Guinea.
The former combatant has also urged his colleagues not to allow businessmen and politicians to use them for their own selfish gains.
Mr Nisira made this call during Timputz cocoa festival where more than 4000 people gathered to witness the event after the Bougainville crisis. This festival coincided with the country’s 36th independence anniversary. “We should not run around after money that is offered to us by leaders or businessmen who want to misuse us for their own selfish motive but rather we should be proactively involved in ensuring that the peace agreement is implemented,” he said.

27.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Two escape from cells

TWO prisoners at the Buka Police Station Cell blocks escaped in the early hours of Monday morning according to police.
Acting Police Station Commander, Chief Sergeant Alex Gunan said that prisoners forcefully bent two iron bars to make way for their escape. Chief Sergeant Gunan said police managed to stop further escapes on Monday and a contractor was called immediately to put back the iron bars on Tuesday. He said the problem was found that prisoners put salt on the iron bars to rust which made easier for them to carry out such plans.
Chief Sergeant Gunan called on authorities to speed up the work on stage two of the Bekut Prison camp as the situation was not good at the moment. He said the Buka Police Station was still looking after convicted prisoners which was not supposed to be the case.
He said the Bekut facility was only catering for low risks prisoners and work must be carried out quickly to solve such problems.
He appealed to the public to be responsible to look after members of their families and not allow them to be in such situations.

26.09.2011
Source: ESBC

Anfrage:

Lieber Axel,

ganz herzlichen Dank für den Bericht und Deine Mühen. Hast Du eine Ahnung warum heute der Kurs so drastisch fällt? Wenn die Chinesen wirklich einsteigen, wäre das sicherlich eine Hammermeldung.
Viele Grüße Michael

Antwort:

Lieber Michael,

Offen gestanden ist mir das auch schleierhaft! Es gibt außer der Tatsache, dass es momentan keine Nachrichten gibt, eigentlich keinerlei Grund für ein solch heftiges Abtauchen des Kurses. Meine Erfahrung „no news are good news“ scheint nicht zu greifen. Auch kann ich mir kaum vorstellen, dass die von mir nur intern verbreitete Information über die taktische Erweiterung des Zeithorizonts derartige Abverkäufe zur Folge haben könnte. Die einleuchtenste Erklärung scheint mir ein erneuter Angriff der Shortseller Lobby zu sein. Ich würde mich auch nicht wundern, wenn wir in den nächsten Tagen eine heftige Gegenreaktion sehen würden. Ob diese dann die Basis für eine erneute Rally sein wird, ist schwer einzuschätzen. Das wird dann idealerweise mit einer favorablen Nachrichtenlage einher gehen müssen. Falls es, was ich nicht weiß, in Kürze zu einer Übertragungen der von PNG gehaltenen Aktien an Bougainville kommt, ist es für PM O’Neill sicherlich politisch günstiger, ein Aktienpaket zu übertragen, das „nicht viel wert“ ist.

Ungeachtet der Kursmanipulationen und derzeitigen Kursachterbahn bleibt der innere Wert unseres Investments stabil. Somit ist es eigentlich nur noch eine Frage der Zeit, wann sich dies auch in wieder steigenden Kursen manifestiert. Dass sich allerdings meine Prognose über eine zunehmende Volatilität bei BCL so massiv bemerkbar machen würde, damit habe auch ich nicht gerechnet. Erinnere Dich bitte ein paar Tage zurück: Da wurden annähernd 500.000 Stück binnen dreier Börsentage zu weit höheren Preisen verkauft und….gekauft! Zugegeben: Die momentane Situation ist für Trader extrem verlockend: Können doch binnen weniger Tage 20, 30 oder gar 40 Prozent Gewinn eingestrichen werden.

Nun zu den Chinesen:

Ein höheres Engagement der Chinesen bei Rio Tinto (sie halten momentan knapp 10 Prozent an Rio Tinto),

siehe:

http://translate.google.de/translate?hl=de&langpair=en%7Cde&u=http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/08/24/us-rio-chinalco-idUSSYD4698820080824
http://www.riotinto.com/annualreport2010/additional_information/registered_shareholders.html
http://www.riotinto.com/media/18435_media_releases_20633.asp )

scheint in Australien derzeit politisch nicht durchsetzbar. Interessant ist, dass etwa 20 Prozent der Rio Tinto Aktien bei der australischen Hongkong Shanghai Bank (HSBC) Filiale gebunkert sind. Dass nun angesichts dieser Tatsache die Chinesen Interesse auch an Rio Tinto Tochterunternehmen haben, die langfristig Gewinne sowie Versorgungssicherheit versprechen, ist leicht nachvollziehbar. Das Auftauchen einer hochrangigen chinesischen Delegation in Panguna bewerte ich schon mehr als eine Bestätigung dafür. Zudem wird unsere Homepage täglich mehrmals aus China (Beijing und andere Städte) besucht. Dass sich dabei der/die Besucher vorzugsweise eines Apple Computers bedienen, mag auch als weiterer Hinweis darauf gewertet werden, dass es sich dabei um einen elitären Interessentenkreis handeln könnte. Apple Computer gelten im Reich der Mitte als absolutes Luxusprodukt, das sich nur wenige leisten können. Die Vermutung liegt nahe, dass es sich um hochrangige Funktionäre handeln könnte.

Bis dato haben wir allerdings kein Indiz dafür, dass sich Chinesen in größerem Umfang am Markt als Aktienkäufer bemerkbar machen. Das allerdings könnte sich schlagartig von einem auf den anderen Tag ändern.

Mit herzlichen Grüßen

Axel G. Sturm
Escaldes-Engordany, 26.09.2011

26.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Minister welcomes K15m

The Minister for Communication and Information and Member for Central Bougainville, Jimmy Miringtoro has welcomed the O’Neill/Namah Government’s allocation of K15m for the Autonomous Bougainville Government in its supplementary budget.
“On behalf of my constituent and the autonomous region as a whole, I sincerely commend the Government for having the welfare and wellbeing of our people on the island,” Mr Miringtoro said.
He said the recent actions of the new government can only augur well for the National Government immediate to longer term rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts on Bougainville.
Mr Miringtoro said the onus was now on president Momis and his Cabinet to use the funds effectively and prudently before the 2013 National Budget is handed down by the Treasurer in the budget session of Parliament.
“There is not a lot of time between now and the November budget session to use these funds but I’m confident the ABG will do what is right for the people,” he said.

26.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Call to help Konnou people

BOUGAINVILLE’S Disaster Office has sought immediate help for funds to help the displaced families of the Konnou constituency in south Bougainville.
There are about 3000 people in the constituency that has allegedly been displaced because of the escalating gun fights and problems among warring factions in the south.
His office has received reports and requests from the people of Konnou, seeking for help and refuge.
These were the families directly affected by the problems in the Konnou area and have fled to other centres seeking refuge, now displaced and living in “care centre like” homes and with other families.
Bougainville Disaster boss Franklyn Lacey advised his office needed about K30,000 to help these people, admitting that they have no money available to help the people in the south and help ease the situation.
Lacey called on responsible authorities to come to their aid, especifically the ABG and the National Disaster Office in Port Moresby including the UN to help with funding.

26.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Cocoa festival a success
By Peterson Tseraha

THE Tinputz Cocoa festival ended on a high note last week Monday with two ABG ministers present to officially close it.
The event, which was absent for a decade now, has been revived and people from Kesa in the northern tip of Buka Island right down to Kangu at the Solomon Islands border attended the much loved and missed event.
Minister for Agriculture Nicholas Daku and Minister for Communications Carolus Ketsimur were on hand to witness the closing representing the ABG.
The first ever Cocoa festival was staged in Tinputz in 1986 and due to the crisis, it was held in 2001. It has been revived last week.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Agriculture Minister Nicholas Daku said it was a significant event where the whole of Bougainville have participated.
“Since after the crisis, I haven’t seen a crowd so big like what we have here in Tinputz now,”Minister Daku said.
“This is the time we say thank you to the cocoa tree because it is the source of our living and we take time to celebrate the cocoa tree,” he said.
Minister Daku, on behalf of the ABG, presented a cheque of K50,000 to the festival organising committee.
Festival committee chairman and former ABG member for Taonita Teop Joseph Gitovea, on receiving the cheque, commended the Autonomous Bougainville Government for its contribution towards the festival.
The event was officially closed last week but the games, especially soccer, continued until Friday.

24.09.2011
Source: Scoop

Civil society hosts Peace Agreement Dialogue
By Louise Anne Laris - FemLINKPacific Correspondent, Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency

International Day of Peace - 21 September 2011, Bougainville, PNG

"Reviewing the Bougainville Peace Agreement is a crucial step forward for civil society and the Autonomous Bougainville government to reflect and set goals to achieve a positive peace on the island and to enhance efforts to prevent future conflicts," says Helen Hakena, Executive Director of Leitana Nehan Women's Development Agency and the convenor of the Regional Media and Policy Network on UNSCR1325 in Bougainville. She is also a founding member of GPPAC Pacific:

‘For the first time civil society group in Bougainville in collaboration with partners of the GPPAC will conduct a reflection consultation with ABG officials to look at challenges and achievements facing the peace process. This consultation is a big step calling together church groups, women’s groups, ABG officials and ex-combatants to share their views on how ABG can go about with the reconciliation processes and the destruction of arms; challenges that hinder peace and security issues,’ she said.

She was speaking as a convenor of a peace dialogue convened ten years since the signing of the Bougainville Peace Agreement to review progress and consider not only achievements, such as the staging of elections for the establishment of the Autonomous Bougainville Government, but the every day challenges confronting the Peace Process.

In an interview with Radio Australia Helen Hakena highlighted the need to engage with government bodies to address all underlying issues such as the ‘unfinished’ weapons disposal programme, noting that lack of arms disposal is the very core activity fueling up the continuous conflict in South Bougainville:

"In the last ten years the Peace Process has moved ahead positively but there are some challenges that impede on the peace process such as the full engagement of women in consultations,’ she said adding that investment in women's participation remains vital in decision making process::

‘Yes, women played a key role in bringing the Bougainville conflict to an end, but now at this time, women are silent. In formal processes even though they continue to convene programmes and dialogue events."

Hakena welcomed the support of the UNDP to assist in convening the dialogue as she called for greater participation of women in consultation processes by supporting education programmes for women to ensure they are empowered and their capacity is realized.

She strongly believes that Bougainville women can use UNSCR 1325 as a guiding tool and also as an advocacy for women in decision makingand continuing our engagement with governments on the urgency of having women in decision making processes and women’s representation in parliament where they can influence policy makers and where their views are changed into laws.

Questioned whether Bougainvilleans are happy with its government Mrs. Hakena said ‘We are happy to have our own government particularly the reserved seats that we have for women. Women are able to contest themselves. ‘

Hakena also stated that Independence in Bougainville will only proceed if we are financially viable and if Bougainville government fully addresses the challenges that confront the peace process.
Meanwhile Leitana Nehan Women’s Development Agency together with the Minister for women Hon. Rose Pihei are having continuous consultations to organize the anniversary of the UNSC resolution 1325 come October 28th in Buka.

This event will once again bring together women’s groups from around Buka and mainland who will participate in this celebrations for women, peace and security.

23.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Miringtoro lauds K15m allocation

THE Minister for Communication & Information and Member for Central Bougainville, Jimmy Miringtoro has welcomed the Government’s allocation of K15m for the Autonomous Bougainville Government in its supplementary budget yesterday.
“On behalf of my constituent and the autonomous region as a whole, I sincerely commend the Government for having the welfare and wellbeing of our people on the island,” Mr Miringtoro said.
He said the recent actions of the new government could only augur well for the National Government immediate to longer term rebuilding and rehabilitation efforts on Bougainville.
“As Minister Duma correctly stated, Bougainville was allocated two Ministries in the new Government line up despite the availability of some many equally capable national leaders.
“Just weeks later, the Autonomous Bougainville Government gets this belated Independence present from the National Government,” Mr Miringtoro said.
The country and the ABG also recently marked the anniversary of the Bougainville Peace Agreement.
Mr Miringtoro said the onus was now on President John Momis and his Cabinet to utiltise the funds effectively and prudently before the 2013 National Budget is handed down by the Treasurer in the Budget session of Parliament next month.
“There is not a lot of time between now and the November Budget session to utilise these funds but I’m confident the Autonomous Bougainville Government will do what is right for the region and the people.
“I stand ready as ever to work with the ABG to bring about much-needed goods and services to our people.
“I’m also confident my Central Bougainville electorate will benefit from this K15m allocation ub the supplementary budget,” he said.

23.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Two leaders end rivaly

TWO former election rivals, Leo Toumo Paupau and Peter Bana, from Konnou in South Bougainville made peace yesterday to make way for the National elections next year.
They both agreed that Mr Paupau will contest the ABG elections and Mr Bana will contest the South Bougainville seat in the national elections next year.
Both men said that the reason behind them sorting out their differences was to address the issue of in-fighting in the Konnou area, something they say the current leaders are not addressing seriously.
Mr Paupau said that only leaders from Konnou can solve the ongoing Konnou issue.
He said that the current leaders were ‘commercialising’ the problem by using it to secure monetary help to only to have the funds diverted elsewhere.
He said that people were still dying in the Konnou area and asked his people and the people of South Bougainville to stand behind them.

22.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

High-tech bridges for Buka

THE DAYS of crossing most horrific rivers on Bougainville will soon come to an end as the region prepares to witness the official opening of the first five high-tech bridges that connect Buka Islanders to the mainland.
These are presents from the Japanese people through the PNG Government under the K90 million impact projects they gave to the people of Bougainville.
These are funds to build 15 high technology bridges under their Japanese Aid Phase I project.
Kitano Group of Companies, the Japanese Company undertaking the construction of these bridges, have built these bridges and have completed four while also working on all other bridges, racing with time to complete the whole 15 of them.
Project manager, also the ABG and PNG Government contact to the Japanese project John Kolan, yesterday advised the Post-Courier that four bridges were ready and have been “punch listed” which was a technical term for first inspection to check the bridge for any defections.
Next week Tuesday, a high-powered team is travelling from Port Moresby to do the second “punch list” before they issue the final certificate of completion.
Mr Kolan said by end of this month, five bridges should be opened and ready for use by the public and business entities.
He said the bridges had been allocated according to districts and the four that were already complete were those in the Wakunai district.
There are eight bridges in the Wakunai District and they are labelled bridges 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
The team is waiting for bridge seven to be completed before the official opening in two weeks time.
Bridges one and two are in the Kieta district (Bakanobi) and bridges 11, 12, 13, 14 (Irong) are in the Tinputs district while bridge number 15 is the Rawa - in the Selau/Suir district.
Mr Kolan said that they were already in the process to apply for Phase II from the Japanese Government which will detail the wet crossings in south Bougainville for the Government of Japan to fund.
There are altogether about 40 wet crossings between Kokopau (Buka) and Arawa while there are 27 wet crossings between Arawa and Buin, which also includes Siwai and Nagovis.
Mr Kolan said the bridges would be a plus for the wet crossers of Bougainville and would save a lot of vehicles and population travelling on the Buka-Arawa highway.

22.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Buka gets set for major cleanup

A MAJOR “Go-Green” Cleanathon is underway in Buka, north Bougainville to be held this Friday and Saturday and spearheaded by the Bank South Pacific (BSP) Buka branch.
All schools in the vicinity of Buka town and surrounding Buka island will do a major cleanup exercise on Friday around their school areas and residences, and on Saturday, the public is expected to clean up from Hutjena oval right down to Buka town, Sohano island and Kokopau.
BSP Buka branch Go-Green Cleanathon organisers yesterday told the Post-Courier the bank was serious about keeping Buka town and schools clean. They advised that the cleanathon will be staged nationwide, and Buka being no exceptions, the staff would be out in full force to carry out the exercise to help keep Buka town, the schools, Sohano Island, Kokopau and surrounding town area/villages clean.
Hahela Primary School and Hutjena Secondary Schools that includes Sohano Primary will lead the cleanathon on Friday with surrounding Buka town schools while BSP Buka branch officials will head the exercise over the weekend – specifically Saturday, starting from Hutjena oval down to Buka town.

22.09.2011
Source: The National

K15mil goes to autonomous region

THE national government has allocated K15 million to the Autonomous Bougainville Government to honour a commitment towards the peace and restoration programme.
The funding is a development grant to ABG which was part of the peace agreement.
Treasury and Finance Minister Don Polye, in his supplementary budget speech to parliament, said the previous government did not provide funding for it in the 2011 budget.
He said they were now correcting that in the supplementary budget.
Petroleum and Energy Minister William Duma, during the budget debate, thanked the new government for allocating funds to Bougainville.
He said Bougainville was part of PNG and he was pleased to note that K15 million had been allocated to the ABG.
Duma said President John Momis would be happy that the new government had given recognition to Bougainville including the appointment of two ministers in Steven Kama and Jim Miringtoro to cabinet.
“The previous government paid only lip service to the people of Bougainville,” Duma said.
He said the supplementary budget was well thought-out and well-structured.
The funding came under the contractual obligations and other commitments totalling K94.5 million. Other obligations included the LNG ministerial commitments (K40 million), coastal vessels programme (K17 million), district markets (K8.5 million), outstanding legal settlement of Downer Construction (K5 million), petroleum agreements (K5 million), financial audit and legal advice (K2 million) and air services investigation (K2 million).

21.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Date not set yet for JSB

THE Bougainville leaders have not come up with a set date to hold the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting to further the drawdown of powers and other development issues of Bougainville.
The Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting is the avenue for the National Government and ABG including donor partners to discuss Bougainville forward.
ABG political backbenchers are questioning when the JSB will be held because the issue is holding up many things for Bougainville to move forward.
Last month, new Bougainville Affairs Minister Pirika Kama announced they may hold the meeting this month after the Supplementary Budget, but to date, no word has surfaced on the dates.

21.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

One day reflection on peace process

BOUGAINVILLE is observing the International Peace Day today with a one-day reflection on the peace process so far.
The UNDP in collaboration with the Autonomous Bougainville Government and Leitana Negan Women’s Development Agency, a leading non-government organisation in the region, will facilitate with the Pacific Centre for peace building a one-day reflection on the peace process in Bougainville.
It will be held with national stakeholders from government and civil society.
In a statement sent out yesterday, it stated as the world prepares to observe International Peace Day on September 21, the Strengthening Capacities for Peace and Development (CPAD) project will also commemorate the day through various activities across the Pacific.
CPAD is a Pacific peace community made up of governments and civil society from four Pacific island countries, as well as various CROP agencies. It is facilitated and supported by UNDP.
In the Solomon Islands, the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace with assistance from UNDP-Pacific Center’s Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit and the Pacific Center for Peacebuilding, will hold a three day dialogue for National Peace Stakeholders to map the countries peace efforts and discuss the National Peace Policy.
A special ceremony will mark International Peace Day in the morning of September 21.
UNDP’s interns from the University of the South Pacific have produced short video clips for YouTube from pictures and footage taken at the ‘Paint for Peace Party’ during the Hibiscus Festival held in August this year in Suva.
Members of the CPAD project will also hold a number of events in Fiji and the Pacific, they include: FemLINK PACIFIC, Citizens Constitutional Forum (CCF) and Ecumenical Centre for Research, Education and Advocacy (ECREA).

21.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

‘Bougainville should tap into rice industry’

BOUGAINVILLE imports 11,000 tonnes of rice worth more than K40 million year, a Bougainville Agriculture specialists working in remote Kunua, Allan Simon announced recently.
And the region is blessed with rich soil and specifically vast environment conducive to planting rice, that is why Bougainville should now seriously tap into the rice industry by planting its own and save millions of kina.
‘’If Bougainville wants to be independent, we have to save money that is used to import rice by planting rice in Bougainville because each year 11,000 tonnes of rice worth more than K40 million is imported,’’ said Simon
“Rice is the most important staple food in Bougainville and importing it cost big monies that can be saved by the people planting their own rice.
This K40 million spent on rice could be saved and used elsewhere or simply put Bougainville can save this money to spend on other necessary items,” he said.
Mr Simon relayed this message recently in remote Kunua district, north Bougainville where an international workshop on rice planting was held.
The event was the first of its kind in Bougainville under a Regional Rice Training workshop jointly sponsored by JICA PNG, OISCA and DPI Office in Kunua.

21.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville’s beer, cigar prices to rise

By Gorethy Kenneth

PRICE of beer and cigarette will increase drastically by five per cent in Bougainville come November, Autonomous Bougainville Government Treasurer Albert Punghau announced this yesterday.
And beer and cigarette coming in from Solomon Islands or direct from Asia through Kangu beach and Kieta Port may face a hefty tax (import tax and the normal tax) once arrangements are in place.
In an interview with the Post-Courier, Punghau outlined that liquor and cigarettes would be taxed heavily under the ABG’s policy to increase internal revenue for Bougainville.
Mr Punghau said that Bougainville stands to benefit by December and onwards, a total of K7 million revenue from taxing liquor and about K2.5 million from cigarette.
He said that after the Autonomous Bougainville Government House of Representative passed the Liquor and Cigarettes tax policy he introduced to parliament last week, the price of beer will increase by 75 toea a can/bottle and cigarette to be 20 toea a stick.
He specified that the price increase would be charged on wholesalers.
“For example in a layman’s language, if a carton of green can beer is going at K78 at the wholesale price, you will have to add K18 on top of that and the total of a green can carton will be K96.
“For the white can carton costing K93.80 at the wholesale price, K18 on top of that will be K111.80 precisely,” Mr Punghau specified. “Or simplified further, if a green can costs K4.50, you add 0.75 toea on top of that to increase to about K5.25, that’s what it means.
“And this takes effect about the first of November this year and revenue should be coming into Bougainville by December,” he said.
Last week, when the debate on the bill to increase tax on liquor and cigarette was being read in the ABG Parliament, most of the members wanted taxes be introduced in the Export of Copra and Cocoa exported out of Bougainville.
Some talked about vehicle registrations and insurance as other revenue earning measures that the government has to look at to increase its internal revenue. The Member for Hagogohe, Robert Hamal Sawa even wanted road tax to be introduced in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville while other members talked about legalising homebrew and raise funds by way of tax.

20.09.2011
London Talks a Success

ESBC President Axel G. Sturm, ESBC Vice President Mrs. Corinna Pattijn met on Monday with Bougainville Copper Chairman Peter Taylor in the Rio Tinto Headquarter at London Paddington. "We had an very good exchange of information and agreed to intensify our contact in future," said Mr. Sturm on Tuesday in London. On Wednesday Mr. Sturm will meet with Rio Tinto Shareholder Relations Head Mark Shannon to discuss relevant questions as financing of the re-opening of the Panguna mine, short selling activities in BCL etc..

20.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

No date set for JSB talks

BOUGAINVILLE leaders have not come up with a set date to hold the Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting to further the drawdown of powers and other development issues of Bougainville.
The Joint Supervisory Body (JSB) meeting is the avenue for the National Government and ABG including donor partners to discuss Bougainville forward. ABG political backbenchers are questioning when the JSB will be held because the issue is holding up many things for Bougainville to move forward.
Last month, new Bougainville Affairs Minister Pirika Kama announced they may hold the meeting this month after the Supplementary Budget, but no word has surfaced on the dates.
Mr Kama also announced that the National Government may hold one of their September National Executive Council (NEC) meetings in Bougainville.
The National Government will convene Parliament today and Bougainville leaders are hoping the Supplementary Budget would be introduced as this will also be the time when ABG should receive its K15million Development Grant from the government. JSB is the meeting where all National Government Departments relating to Bougainville issues and the ABG meet to discuss and iron out specific issues of development and the drawdown of powers for Bougainville. The meeting is normally chaired by the ABG President and the PNG Government Prime Minister.

20.09.2011
Source: The National

Momis pays tribute to Chief

AUTONOMOUS Bougainville President John Momis has paid tribute to Sir Michael Somare as the first prime minister.
Momis thanked Sir Michael for establishing provincial governments, fighting for the rights of Panguna landowners and continuing peace-building on Bougainville.
He said although PNG had a diverse culture and more than 800 languages, Sir Michael and others had the vision to liberate the nation from foreign exploitation.
Momis said at that time, the people were not ready but the leaders had the vision for PNG to become a nation of a thousand tribes.
He made the remarks in Buka last Friday.

19.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Momis pays tribute to our founding leaders

THE Autonomous Bougainville Government President John Momis has paid tribute to former leaders who had the vision to liberate PNG from colonial masters to become a nation of thousand tribes.
Bougainville joined the rest of PNG in celebrating the country’s 36th year of Independence. Celebrations were held at the Hutjena Oval, Buka island, while another major event was staged in Tinputz to coincide with the Tinputz Cocoa Festival.
And Momis, one of the founding fathers of PNG, used the occasion to deplore the deteriorating state of the country, especifically the social indicators and other issues.
He said that corruption, greed, misuse of public funds and public properties were killing Papua New Guinea after 36 years of independence and warned that marginalising of the people could be a recipe for disaster.
He said leaders like Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Sir Julius Chan, Sir John Guise, Sir John Kaputin and many more stood firm to have PNG independent despite many prophets of doom who doubted the eventual outcome.
Mr Momis, while paying tribute to Chief Somare, said he led the nation in the last 36 years to become one united and progressive nation in the world.
The celebrations at Hutjena, although not packed, was attended by a few ABG leaders, especifically the local ABG member for Tsitalato Cosmas Sohia and newly elected North Bougainville MP Lauta Atoi.
Mr Momis said that even though PNG was a resource rich country, the people remained poor and most were living below poverty line because of bad leadership.
He said what was happening was not in line with what the first leaders wanted for PNG and appealed to the new Government to stop and think and re-direct their attention, adding that something must be done to review the course of the country.
He called on all Bougainvilleans to make sure they get rid of corruption and make the region a better place for the future generation to enjoy.
Another ABG member David Sisito also paid tribute to Sir Michael and other leaders who shaped PNG and brought it to independence. He said that the Kieta people still held high regard for the Sir Michael because of the establishment of Pangu Pati branch - Napidakoi Navito, which is still active today. Late Sir Paul Lapun and Sir Michael established the party before the Independence of PNG.

19.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Boungainville

WRITS RETURNED
By Aloysius Laukai

Writs for the Tonsu Bye election was returned to the Speaker of the ABG House today as scheduled whilst the swearing in ceremony for the newly elected member for Tonsu has been deferred to Wednesday this week.

This is because the new member, JOEL LATU BANAM was in Madang at the weekend when he was declared as the new member for Tonsu last Friday night.

The new member, JOEL LATU BANAM could not secure seat for today and Tuesday however he is expected to arrive in Buka this Wednesday.

17.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Boungainville

BANAM HEADS HOME
By Aloysius Laukai

The former Leitana Council of Elders Chairman, JOEL LATU BANAM was declared as the newly elected member for Tonsu constituency in the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

The Returning Officer for the Tonsu Byelection declared MR. BANAM at 1230 just after midnight at the Buka counting centre.

MR. BANAM has tried several seats both in the National Parliament and the ABG until he came home last night.

He was in Madang when he was declared but would be in Buka by Monday to be sworn in as the new member for Tonsu.

Electoral Commissioner for Bougainville, REITAMA TARAVARU in welcoming the new member elect also thanked election officials including candidates supporters and scrutineers for the good conduct during election and up to declaration last night.

He said that he was happy everything went smoothly.

16.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

TONSU COUNT ON
by Aloysius Laukai

Former Leitana Council of Elders strongman, JOEL BANAM is leading after count three for the Tonsu By election.
Counting for the TONSU Byelection started at 10 am this morning and will continue until the winner is declared sometimes tonight.

13 candidates are vying for the top TONSU seat in the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

The seat was securely held by the former ABG Vice President IZEKIEL MASSAT since 2005 but was left vacant when the former member resigned early this year to contest the North Bougainville seat in the Papua New Guinea National Parliament.

This seat was left vacant when the former member for North Bougainville became the Governor General of Papua New Guinea.

MR. MASSAT won back his Tonsu at last Year's ABG General election.

He is not contesting this by election.
After Count three, Joel Banam was leading with 444 votes whilst the second place is held by FORMER Government Liason Officer, Kout Kavop with 351 votes
The others are Joel Noga on 246 and is running 3rd out of the 13 candidates.
Other Candidates are, UZZAIAH TOUKES is on 123,Dudley Matuan is on185,
Eddie Mohin is on 64,Michael Toreas is on 218.Israel Kout is on 72, Isaach Heken Thompson is on 80,Jonathan Ringin is on 65, Philimon Tulo is on 93,Ben Tsiu Chackchuck is on 110 whilst the first on the elimination list is John Dumit who scored only 49 votes.

16.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

LEADERS PRAISED
By Aloysius Laukai

ABG President Chief John Momis today paid tribute to former Papua New Guinea leaders who had the vision to liberate Papua New Guinea from colonial masters to become a nation of thousand tribes.

MR. MOMIS made these remarks in Buka today as Bougainville joined the rest of Papua New Guinea to commemorate 36th Independence anniversary for the country.

He said leaders like Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, Sir Julius Chan, Sir John Guise, Sir John Kaputin and many more stood firm to get Papua New Guinea get independence despite many prophets of doom saying that this will not happen.

MR. MOMIS said Chief Somare has led the nation in the last 36 years to become one united and progressive nation in the world.

The celebration in Buka was held at the Hutjena oval whilst one big celebration in Tinputz coincided with the bi annual event, TINPUTZ COCOA FESTIVAL.

Speakers at today’s celebration included the local ABG member for Tsitalato, COSMAS SOHIA and the new member for North Bougainville, LAUTA ATOI.

Pictured is President Momis at Hutjena this morning.
Picture by Therese Ericson

16.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

POOR PNG
By Aloysius Laukai

ABG President Chief John Momis says corruption, greed, misuse of public funds and public properties is killing Papua New Guinea after 36 years of independence.

He said that even though PAPUA NEW GUINEA was are resource rich country the people remained poor and most are living below poverty line because of bad leadership.

MR. MOMIS made these remarks at the Independence celebration in Buka this morning.

He said what is happening is not in line with what the first leaders wanted in Papua New Guinea.

The ABG President said that this has to stop and something must be done to review the course of the country.

He called on all Bougainvilleans to make sure they get rid of corruption from Bougainville.

16.09.2011
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat

ESBC:

The Old Man and the Painful Loss of Power

Somare address sheds light on health

PNG's former and ailing Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has addressed the nation to coincide with the country's independence day.

In an extended speech Sir Michael explained his reasons for challenging his disqualification as an MP.

Earlier this month speaker Jeffry Nape disqualified Sir Michael for missing three consecutive meetings of parliament.

Sire Michael also said he is continuing to visit his doctors and expects he will be able to continue to serve the people of PNG.

Presenter:
Speaker: Sir Michael Somare, PNG's former Prime Minister

Listen here !

16.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BOUG Clebetrates with PNG
by Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville has joined the rest of PNG in celebrating the country's 36 Independence commemoration.

Celebrations are currently being held at the Hutjena Oval on Buka island and in Tinputz to conincide with the Tinputz Cocoa Festival.
Will give you some pics of the celebrations later today....

16.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

TONSU COUNT ON
by Aloysius Laukai

Counting for the TONSU Byelection started at 10 am this morning and will continue throughout the weekend.

13 candidates are vying for the top TONSU seat in the Autonomous Bougainville Government.

This seat was left vacant when the former member for North Bougainville became the Governor General of Papua New Guinea.

MR. MASSAT won back his Tonsu at last Year's ABG General election.

He is not contesting this by election.

New Dawn FM will be posting results at the count continues. Good luck to the 13 candidates.

16.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

36th
By Aloysius Laukai

The management and staff of New Dawn FM Community Radio on Buka island wishes Happy 36th Independence Celebrations to all Papua New Guineans and Friends of PNG in PNG and abroad.

Happy celebrations and wish you a bright future.
GOD BLESS PNG!

15.09.2011
Source: Kathweb - Katholische Presseagentur Österreich

Neuguinea: Kirche trägt den Aufbau nach dem Bougainvillekrieg

Bischof von Bougainville, Unabali, im "Kathpress"-Gespräch über kirchlichen Einsatz für Frieden - Dreikönigsaktion unterstützt Kirche in Bougainville bei Hilfsprojekten im Schul- und Gesundheitsbereich

Wien-Port Moresby, 15.09.2011 (KAP) Die große Bedeutung der Kirche für den Wiederaufbau nach zehn Jahren Bürgerkrieg auf der Pazifikinsel Bougainville hat der Bischof der Insel, Bernard Unabali, betont. Im Gespräch mit "Kathpress" erläuterte Unabali die kirchlichen Bemühungen um Versöhnung und den Einsatz der Kirche für den gesellschaftlichen, wirtschaftlichen und politischen Wiederaufbau der Region. Sowohl in ihrer gesellschaftlichen Arbeit als auch im innerkirchlichen Leben setze er dabei sehr stark auf Laien, so der Bischof, der sich auf Einladung der Dreikönigsaktion in Wien aufhielt.

Die Insel Bougainville gehört zu Papua Neuguinea. Als "North Solomons Province" bildet sie zusammen mit der Nachbarinsel Buka eine der 19 Provinzen des Landes. Ein Jahrzehnt lang - von 1988 bis 1998 - wurde auf der gebirgigen, mit tropischem Regenwald bedeckten Insel Krieg geführt. Die sezessionistische "Bougainville Revolutinary Army" (BRA) kämpfte gegen die Streitkräfte der Zentralregierung Papua Neuguineas. Dem Krieg fielen bis zu 20.000 Bewohner der Insel zum Opfer. 2001 wurde schließlich nach langen Verhandlungen ein Friedensabkommen unterzeichnet, das Bougainville Autonomie zugesteht, und ein Unabhängigkeitsreferendum in zehn bis fünfzehn Jahren vorsieht.

Bischof Unabali hatte während des Bürgerkriegs in einer Landpfarre im Südwesten der Insel die Stellung gehalten. Dabei sei er auch zwischen die Fronten geraten und habe zwischen den Streitparteien zu vermitteln versucht, berichtet der 54-jährige Bischof: "Aufgabe der Kirche muss es immer sein, sich für den Frieden einzusetzen." Das habe er den Regierungssoldaten ebenso klarzumachen versucht, wie den Rebellen, wenn er mit ihnen Gottesdienst feierte.

Bischof Unabali stammt aus Bougainville, er studierte u.a. in Rom Theologie und wurde 1985 zu Priester geweiht. 2005 wurde er Weihbischof von Bougainville, 2010 Diözesanbischof.

Traumatisierte Bevölkerung

Der Bürgerkrieg habe nicht nur eine völlig zerstörte Infrastruktur sondern auch eine in weiten Teilen traumatisierte Bevölkerung hinterlassen, so Unabali. Ein großes Problem stellten junge Männer ohne Lebensperspektive dar, die einen Teil ihrer Kindheit und Jugend im Bürgerkrieg verbracht hatten, ohne Möglichkeit, eine Schule zu besuchen. Augenscheinlichste Folgen seien exzessiver Missbrauch von Alkohol und erhöhte Gewaltbereitschaft.

Seit dem Waffenstillstand 1998 gebe es deshalb Bemühungen zum Wiederaufbau von berufsbildenden Schulen, um solchen Jugendlichen eine Ausbildung zu ermöglichen. Dabei sei die Kirche die zentrale Kraft, betonte der Bischof. 72 Prozent der Schulen in Bougainville werden unter der Leitung der katholischen Kirche geführt.

Derzeit leide das Schulsystem vor allem an der schlechten Verwaltung der Schulen durch Schulleiter, die für ihre Aufgaben nicht vorbereitet bzw. ausgebildet wurden. "Kaum jemand in Bougainville hat jemals gelernt, mit Geld, umzugehen", so Bischof Unabali. Die Folge seien Schulen, die nicht erhalten werden können; Lehrer, die nicht bezahlt werden, demotiviert sind und nicht zum Unterricht erscheinen.

Hier setze die Kirche mit Programmen zur Verbesserung der Management-Fähigkeiten der Direktoren an. Die Projekte werden von der Dreikönigsaktion unterstützt.

Die Dreikönigsaktion unterstützt in der Diözese Bougainville neben kirchliche Bildungsprogrammen im Schulbereich auch solche im Gesundheitswesen. Durch den Bürgerkrieg wurde das Gesundheitssystem fast vollständig zerstört. Viele medizinischen Fachkräfte hatten die Insel während des Bürgerkriegs verlassen, es herrscht großer Mangel an Ärzten und Krankenschwestern. Ein Bildungsprogramm der Diözese betrifft die Weiterbildung in traditionellen medizinischen Praktiken, die auch in Grundschulen gelehrt werden.

Politische Unabhängigkeit

Zur Frage, wie er zu einer möglichen Unabhängigkeit Bougainvilles von Papua Neuguine in zehn Jahren stehe, meinte der Bischof, dass sich die Kirche einer solchen Unabhängigkeit nicht verschließen werde. Allerdings müssten alle politischen, wirtschaftlichen und gesellschaftlichen Voraussetzungen gegeben sein, dass dies nicht zum Schaden der Bevölkerung vor sich gehe.

Die überwiegende Mehrheit der rund 180.000 Einwohner von Bougainville ist römisch-katholisch. Bischof Unabalis Diözese umfasst 33 Pfarren. Für die Seelsorge stünden ihm aber nur rund 25 Priester zur Verfügung. Umso größer sei die Bedeutung der Laien. Gut ausgebildete Katechisten würden für die Seelsorge in seiner Diözese sorgen, so der Bischof. Schon sein Vorvorgänger Bischof Gregory Singkai habe seit Mitte der 1970er-Jahre begonnen, eine einheimische Kirche von Bougainville zu formen. Waren damals noch 90 Prozent der Geistlichen auf Bougainville ausländische Missionare, so seien nun schon rund 50 Prozent des Klerus Einheimische.

15.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

POLLING END
By Aloysius Laukai

Polling for the TONSU by-election ended today and counting would start tomorrow Friday.

According to reports from the Bougainville Electoral Commission, Counting would be held at the MARK MURAVA Building in Buka town.

Thirteen candidates are vying for the top post in the Tonsu constituency left vacant when the former member, IZEKIEL MASSAT resigned early this year to contest the North Bougainville seat by election.

The North Bougainville seat was also left vacant when the former member, was elevated to take up the Governor General’s post.

The winner from the Tonsu by election would serve the people of Tonsu in the next four years.

New Dawn FM will carry live the Tonsu By election counting from the counting centre.

15.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

WORK READY
By Aloysius Laukai

The Bougainville Library project is about to take another step forward when VSA volunteer Barry Binding leaves Wellington on September 20 to spend six weeks developing a project management plan for the $350,000 building.

The library – or stori haus – is the inspiration of Wellington writer Lloyd Jones, whose 2007 Man Booker Prize-winning novel Mister Pip is set in Bougainville.

As well as developing a project management plan, Mr Binding will also organise the timber needed for the project, and will prepare the site for building.

The library is being built on the grounds of Arawa High School in Arawa, the former capital of Bougainville. It has been designed by Wellington architect Paul Kerr-Hislop and will be built by trainee carpenters from Arawa Carpentry. VSA helped set up Arawa Carpentry in 1999 as part of the reconstruction process following 10 years of civil war.

Mr Binding, a Kapiti Coast builder, returned from a two-year VSA assignment based at Arawa Carpentry in May 2010. While he was there he built a model of the library to give local people a chance to see what it will look like. He is one of several VSA volunteers who have been closely involved with the library project.

He is looking forward to returning to Bougainville to start the next stage of the process.

It’s really exciting to finally be getting ready to build the library. It will be a great asset for the people of Bougainville, and everyone is really looking forward to seeing being able to use it.”

Once the project management plan has been developed and approved, Mr Binding will return to Bougainville as a VSA volunteer in February 2012 to spend six months supervising the building process.

Lloyd Jones, chair of the Bougainville Library Trust, says he is delighted Mr Binding is involved in the project.

We couldn’t have got the project underway without VSA, and no-one is more qualified or suitable to the task of building the library than Barry. He spent two years living in Bougainville, and he is held in very high esteem there.”

15.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

INDEPENDENCE
BY Aloysius Laukai

Bougainville will celebrate with the rest of the country Papua New Guinea’s 36th Independence anniversary tomorrow.

According to a brief programme produced by the Bougainville Administration,
Celebrations would be held at the Hutjena oval on Buka island.

Students from nearby schools will also participate at tomorrows celebrations.
According to the Official programme, the local ABG Member for Tsitalato COSMAS SOHIA will give the welcome speech.

Whilst other speeches would come from the newly elected member for North Bougainville LAUTA ATOI and Regional member for Bougainville.

The keynote address will be given by the ABG President Chief John Momis.

Meanwhile in the Tinputz district celebrations for the 36th independence anniversary started with Sports on Monday and would include the annual Tinputz Cocoa Festival tomorrow.

All celebrations would end on Saturday.

15.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville gets Independence presents

BOUGAINVILLEANS have a special Independence present from Papua New Guinea and the people of Japan through the official opening of the first four high-tech bridges that connect Buka Islanders to the mainland.
The Japanese Government, through the PNG Government, allocated K90 million for 15 high tech bridges to be built on Bougainville under their Japanese Aid Phase I project.
Kitano Group of Companies have completed four and are now working on others in a race against time to complete the total 15 bridges.
Project manager, also the ABG and PNG Government contact to the Japanese project, John Kolan, yesterday advised the Post-Courier that four bridges are ready and have been “punch listed”, a technical term for first inspection to check the bridges for defects.
Next week Tuesday, a high-powered team is travelling from Port Moresby to do the second “punch list” before they issue the final certificate of completion.
Mr Kolan said by end of this month, five bridges should be officially opened and ready for use by the public and mostly business entities.
Mr Kolan said the bridges had been allocated according to districts and the four that are already completed are those in the Wakunai district. There are eight bridges in the Wakunai District and they are labelled bridges 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. The team is waiting for bridge seven to be completed before the opening in two weeks time. Bridges one and two are in the Kieta district (Bakanobi) and bridges 11, 12, 13, 14 (Irong) are in the Tinputz district while bridge number 15 is the Rawa - in the Selau/Suir district. Kolan said that they are in the process of applying for Phase II from the Japanese Government.

15.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Arawa to get new library

BOUGAINVILLE’S estranged capital, Arawa, should have a big library built by end of the year, the Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) has announced.
The Bougainville Library project is about to take another step forward when VSA volunteer Barry Binding leaves Wellington on September 20 to spend six weeks developing a project management plan for the $350,000 building.
The library – or stori haus – is the inspiration of Wellington writer Lloyd Jones, whose 2007 Man Booker Prize-winning novel Mister Pip is set in Bougainville.
As well as developing a project management plan, Mr Binding will also organise the timber needed for the project, and will prepare the site for building.
The library will be built on the grounds of Arawa High School. It has been designed by Wellington architect Paul Kerr-Hislop and will be built by trainee carpenters from Arawa Carpentry. VSA helped set up Arawa Carpentry in 1999 as part of the reconstruction process following 10 years of civil war.
Mr Binding, a Kapiti Coast builder, returned from a two-year VSA assignment based at Arawa Carpentry in May 2010. While he was there, he built a model of the library to give local people a chance to see what it will look like. He is one of several VSA volunteers who have been closely involved with the library project. He is looking forward to returning to Bougainville to start the next stage of the process.

15.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

FIFTEEN SHOULD BE OKAY
By Aloysius Laukai

THE ABG President, JOHN MOMIS has assured parliament that the FIFTEEN MILLION KINA from the national government would be available after next week.

He made these comments in Parliament this afternoon when answering question when these funds would become available.

The member for HAGOGOHE, Robert Hamal Sawa wanted to know if these funds would be available quickly as the region was really down.

ABG President John Momis said that he was assured that the supplementary budget in the National Government would be held next week and that the FIFTEEN MILLION KINA would be made available then.

15.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ACTION QUICK
By Aloysius Laukai

The ABG has no funds to fix the lights at the Buka Hospital’s Operating Theatre.

This was the response made by the Minister for Health and Vice President, PATRICK NISIRA when responding to calls for the government to intervene and fix the problem facing Buka hospital.

MR. NISIRA told ABG Parliament this afternoon that his division has received reports of the poor lights at the Operating Theatre and would fix the problem soon.

He said that because of the financial situation of the ABG they did not address the problem earlier.

Minister Nisira was responding to calls made by the member representing women of North Bougainville, ELIZABETH BURAIN who questioned the Minister for Health if he knew that the light at the Hospital’s operating Theater was out.

15.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

LIQOUR AND SMOKE TAXED
By Aloysius Laukai

Liquor and Cigarettes would be taxed heavily under the ABG ‘s policy to increase internal revenue for Bougainville.

The ABG House of Representative this morning passed the Liquor and Cigarettes tax policy after the Minister for Finance and Planning, ALBERT PUNGHAU introduced to parliament this morning.

After lengthy debate by the ABG House it was finally passed after three readings.

Most of the members when commenting on the bill wanted taxes be introduced in the Export of Copra and Cocoa exported out of Bougainville.

Some talked about Vehicle registrations and insurance as other revenue earning measures that the government has to look at to increase its internal revenue.

The member for Hagogohe, Robert Hamal Sawa even wanted road tax be introduced whilst other members talked about legalizing Home brew and raise funds by way of tax.

15.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

ABG ON
By Aloysius Laukai

The Autonomous Bougainville Government’s House of representative is currently sitting for its September session this week.

The sitting started yesterday and would end tomorrow.

Today the house looked at several policy presentations and approved two.
One was for the increased taxing of Beer and Smoke whilst the other was for more awareness to be carried out on HIV and AIDS.

This policy would be to make sure that more awareness is made around the region to make sure the most vulnerable people are made aware of the dangers of HIV and AIDS.

The members discussed the need to educate the young people especially in the rural areas and including the outer islands.

15.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BDO to help Konnou
By JOYCE TOHUI

Bougainville Disaster Office is seeking funds to help the displaced families of the Konnou constituency.
Bougainville Disaster Coordinator, Franklyn Lacey told New Dawn FM this morning that more than 3 thousand people have been displaced due to the ongoing fighting in the Konnou areas.
He said in the meantime the Bougainville Disaster Office has no money available to help the situation and is seeking help from the ABG, National Disaster Office and UNDP to help with funding.
Mr Lacey said Disaster Office needs about 30 thousand kina to help the people with basic needs such as food, gardening tools and temporary shelter.
He said the fighting in Konnou has prompted situations where the people have abandoned homes, gardens and are not carrying out economic activities that can sustain their needs.
The Disaster Coordinator said the Konnou issue is a situation that is affecting the livelihoods of many innocent people and is calling on authorities to be responsible to help.

14.09.2011

Source: ESBC Research

Bougainville Copper Chart Analyze

Cup and handle

- a bullish chart pattern!

The cup and handle formation (also called the cup with handle formation) is a bullish chart pattern that is defined by a chart where a stock drops in value, then rises back up to the original value, then drops a small amount in value, and then rises a small amount in value. The "cup and handle" formation was discovered by William O'Neil, Founder of Investor's Business Daily, and explained in his top selling book, "How to Make Money in Stocks."

→ wikipedia

Typical "cup and handle" chart	Bougainville Copper Chart Frankfurt 09/2011

Click here for some more astonishing cup and handle chart examples !

14.09.2011
Source: The National

Future of Ramu mine threatened

THE names Pagazi, Nokomboi, Imurumba and Maure mean nothing to the rest of PNG outside of Bundi, Raicoast and Madang.
They are actually clan names, not individuals, who lay claim to the land on which the multi-billion-kina Ramu nickel/cobalt mine operations extend over.
However obscure these clans might have been in years past, they will create ripples on a national and international level in the not-too-distant future if they carry out their threat to stop the commissioning of Ramu NiCo over what they claim are unsatisfactory benefits sharing agreements.
It is incumbent upon the government to prevent that from happening, not by strong arm tactics but by the simple, least costly and most effective way – talking.
The landowners claim that:
lThe Minerals and Resources Authority has unnecessarily delayed expediting a review of the Memorandum of Agreement;
lThere has been an unnecessary delay by the Lands Titles Commission to appoint offers to deliberate on land matters;
lLandowners have not participated in equal benefits sharing agreements since 2000; and
lThe benefits enjoyed by the company do not equate to the value of contracts awarded where costs incurred by the contractors are higher resulting in losses for contracting companies.
David Tigavu, chairman of the Kurumbukari Landowners Association, said relevant government departments responsible for the completion of the project have themselves to blame.
“Where is the Lands Titles Commission who is supposed to be identifying genuine landowners? When is the land hearing going to begin? The memorandum or agreement (MoA) review is already 10 years late. Where is the Mineral and Resources Authority?
“We need to fast track and have a comprehensive benefits agreement in place which should be contained in the MoA. If there are no benefits, then, there will be no mine.
“I have been supporting the project from the beginning and have seen the company struggling without the support of the provincial and national government,” Tigavu said.
The landowners do appear to be mischief makers at this time. The company’s operation has been delayed for long periods by a protracted court case over its proposal to dump tailings into the Basamuk. Throughout these landowning clans have been silent and in Tigavu’s words supportive of the company.
That case was finally settled two weeks ago. Now Tigavu is agitating to interrupt work again which, if successful, will again cost many millions of kina in lost time.
Our view is that Tigavu and company are not wrong. They have been patient. They have let their grievances be known through the right channels to the right authorities applying the right means.
Now, they agitate because certain processes that ought to have happened many moons ago are yet to be done. The fault lies entirely with state entities that ought to be out there doing what they are supposed to be doing.
Where is the Mineral Resources Authority? Where is the Lands Titles Commission? Is a review of the MoA needed or not? Is one overdue as claimed by Tigavu?
These are questions that must be answered and quickly.
It might well be that Tigavu is wrong. It might be that he is trying to shift the goal posts now that the project is finally coming on stream.
Whatever it is the onus is on the state authorities including the government to answer the queries.
Tigavu’s frustration afflicts all other resource project landowners.
We are reminded of the ludicrous sounding K10 billion bill that was delivered to the State and Bougainville Copper mine in April 1988 by Panguna landowners.
It was laughed off and nobody in government thought to move a muscle to find out if the Panguna landowners might have a case behind the ludicrous bill. The result was the disaster that is the Bougainville crisis.
However silly sounding a landowner request or demand might be, it does not hurt for government officers to respond, to calm tempers and allay fears or to carry out their duties diligently if need be.
That is all that is required, we are certain.
It is, after all, their job.

14.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

‘Bougainvillean’s should not rush into mining’
BY PETERSON TSERAHA

MINING should not be the first thing on every Bougainvilleans mind, Me’ekamui spokesman Philip Takaung said.
Speaking at the ground breaking ceremony of the Paruparu Jaba road the Me’ekamui vice president said the environment should be the first thing people should be mindful about.
“We mustn’t let money lure us into disaster and damage our natural habitat destroying the eco system and we be evacuated somewhere to live,” Mr Takaung said.
He made these statements after landowner groups from other mine areas such as Tore in Kunua, west Bougainville and Karato in the central Bougainville west coast border, made their intentions known to to invite exploration companies into their areas.
“Don’t be fooled by money, and remember what we all fought for, because when a lot of people see money they become greedy and forget about others,” he said.
“A lot of us especially ex-combatants can admit it right now are very greedy and we have lost our goals and visions of what we fought for because of greed for money,” Mr Takaung said.
“How would you feel if you give away your sacred land, your fishing and hunting grounds to a certain mining company and if they relocate you to some place else, would you adapt to the climate there and the vegetation?” Mr Takaung said.
“We fought and thousands of our brothers and sisters, the ones we fought alongside with sacrificed their lives for the sake of us the surviving ones, don’t let their blood be spilled on greed and selfishness,” he said.

13.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville to tab visitors
By WINTERFORD TOREAS

ANY individual or group from within PNG or abroad willing to come to Bougainville to carry out their planned activities should first consult the National Coordination Office for Bougainville Affairs (NCOBA).
This is because NCOBA is the legitimate authority responsible for controlling and coordinating the movement of people traveling in and out of Bougainville.
And those who fail to comply with this direction will be dealt with accordingly, that is the stern warning from new Minister for Bougainville Affairs Steven Pirika Kamma.
Mr Kamma had decided to take this tough stand after learning that in the past, there was no control and coordination over the influx of people with business interests who frequently travel into the region.
“You have to know that this is the office responsible for controlling and coordinating all the activities happening in Bougainville.
“So if you want to come and do your business in Bougainville, you must first consult NCOBA.
“NCOBA is there to serve the interest of the people of Bougainville,” Mr Pirika said.
He said this is to avoid any inconvenience that may arise, especially when those who travel into the region undetected encounter any mishap during their stay in Bougainville.
Mr Pirika has already directed the Director General for NCOBA, Ellison Towalom, to thoroughly screen and monitor the movement of people into the region.
Meanwhile, Member for Torokina constituency in the ABG, Steven Suako, has applauded the move taken by Mr Kamma.
He said it is about time movements of people into Bougainville should be thoroughly monitored.

13.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Shark attacks French envoy

A FRENCH diplomat working for the European Union in the country was airlifted to Australia on Monday following a shark attack.
Thomas Viot, 30, was kite-surfing off Port Moresby when he was bitten by what he believed was a 2m Tiger shark on Sunday afternoon.
“I managed to ride back with my kite-surf; I was bleeding badly and I do not know how but I managed to ride back,” Viot told AFP from his hospital bed in Port Moresby before being evacuated to Brisbane.
The EU economist had been in PNG for two-and-a-half years and said there were always “plenty” of sharks at the reef, but he did not see the creature before it struck.
He vowed to return to kite-surfing once he had recovered.
“It is not my first surfing accident. I got attacked by a stingray at the beginning of the year, and I always go back,” he said.

13.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville to tab visitors
By WINTERFORD TOREAS

13.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Shark attacks French envoy

A FRENCH diplomat working for the European Union in the country was airlifted to Australia on Monday following a shark attack.
Thomas Viot, 30, was kite-surfing off Port Moresby when he was bitten by what he believed was a 2m Tiger shark on Sunday afternoon.
“I managed to ride back with my kite-surf; I was bleeding badly and I do not know how but I managed to ride back,” Viot told AFP from his hospital bed in Port Moresby before being evacuated to Brisbane.
The EU economist had been in PNG for two-and-a-half years and said there were always “plenty” of sharks at the reef, but he did not see the creature before it struck.
He vowed to return to kite-surfing once he had recovered.
“It is not my first surfing accident. I got attacked by a stingray at the beginning of the year, and I always go back,” he said.

13.09.2011
Source: Malum Nalu Blog

Speech by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill at a Brisbane business luncheon, Friday, September 9, 2011

Thank you, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Frank Kramer and your team from Kramer Ausenco and Norton Rose for organising this business luncheon.

I am honoured to have been asked to address this gathering of very important investment friends and development partners of Papua New Guinea today.

I see among you the who's who of PNG's mining and petroleum investment sector and I am proud.

It gives me an added pleasure, on this occasion, to be able to talk to you as the new executive head of a new government PNG's elected leaders created over a month ago. In fact, today marks the 38th day of the new government's existence in office.

I know you are all eager to hear what I have to say about my government's attitude to foreign investment in PNG under my watch over the next few months and beyond.

I know you have questions to ask in light of some early ministerial pronouncements with respect to equity participation and ownership issues in PNG's mining and hydrocarbon sectors in particular.

Let me say that I am here to put your questions and your curiosity to rest so that we can all move ahead to higher levels of understanding, progress and achievement hand in hand.

CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT

First of all though, it is only fair that I make a brief mention of the change of government and leadership in Papua New Guinea on August 02.

We changed the Somare-led government because it needed to be changed. That government lost focus on assertive and decisive political and government leadership.

Worse, it lost focus on the nation's budgeted national development and public investment programmes.

For seven months, since the beginning of the year, but more so in the five months, that my predecessor had left the leadership of the nation to an Acting Prime Minister, uncertainty reigned. Chaos was not too far away.

Political instability crept in. Corruption and misappropriation of hundreds of millions of Kina for budgeted national development and public investment programmes became the order of the day.

Our situation was not helped when a small group of Ministers closely linked to Sir Michael Somare and the National Alliance Party became reckless and did as they pleased in the Grand Chief's prolonged absence on account of his illness.

The government of Papua New Guinea had effectively been "hijacked" by this small group of Ministers, who used and abused the serious illness of the then Prime Minister to subvert the parliamentary and cabinet processes and abuse public funds and property.

Public money became ring-fenced by these Ministers and used or abused as they pleased for programmes outside of those approved under this year's national budget.

Unstable political and government leadership mixed with reckless management of the nation's public finances was recipe for irreparable national dysfunction of major proportions.

In a nutshell, the former government led by Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and his hand-picked former Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal had to be changed to save our nation from becoming the "Dysfunctional Blob" that our friends from this side of the Coral Sea love to describe us.

My friends, 70 Members from both sides of the political divide in Papua New Guinea's 109-Member Parliament could not have been wrong when they overwhelmingly voted to "correct a correctable" political and government leadership impasse in our country.

That impasse was undoubtedly starting to harm our national integrity, development and services delivery and importantly, investor confidence.

Under our system of government, Prime Ministers are chosen and removed by the National Parliament. The Head of State has no role, no reserve powers.

We used the inherent lawmaking authority of our Legislature as one of three arms of government within a democratic framework to underpin the parliamentary change of government.

The process is being tested in the courts. We uphold the rule of law and we respect our legal, and our constitutional processes. It is a pity the former government did not do so. Had it done so the events I have outlined would not have been necessary.

Let me summarise the position. I lead a properly constituted government; it has a strong and coherent parliamentary majority. And its blends experience, competence, and integrity, with youth and enthusiasm.

It is probably the most experienced and qualified, and broadly based and representative, government in our history as a nation.

Early indications are that most Papua New Guineans are happy with the change of leadership and government.

We have moved swiftly to complete a number of unfinished legislative businesses of Parliament and are functioning assertively and decisively to cleanse the system of corrupt elements.

My government has already established an investigative team to probe various financial abuses including the disappearance of millions Kina of PNG's development budget for 2011 in the first quarter of this year.

CHALLENGES AND MOVING FORWARD

Let me move on to some of the challenges - and opportunities - we face as a government.

One of my first challenges as Prime Minister is to address corruption and the abuse of public money.

In the short term we have appointed an investigator to quickly examine suspicious financial transactions that occurred outside the proper processes during the final months of the last government.

But in the medium term we will do what should have been done years ago - establish a well-resourced Independent Commission against Corruption. That was one of the first commitments of my new government.

The best way to wage war against corruption is to significantly increase the prospects of detection, and successful prosecution. That is what the new commission will be charged with doing.

The current system is simply not working. It has not been working for years.

My government faces enormous challenges in improving basic service delivery, and in rebuilding and expanding vital national infrastructure - such as roads ports and electricity.

This is the infrastructure you and other investors need to effectively develop our vast

mineral, oil and gas resources in particular.

Money is not really the problem. The capacity to spend it effectively is.

We have serious public sector capacity and delivering problems. Devolving delivery to local communities, and using the resources of our churches and NGO's , is helping to improve service delivery.

But there is a long way to go. Time is not on our side. The national elections are less than a year away, but we will use every day between now and then to try and address some of these great challenges.

INVESTOR CONFIDENCE

Let me now turn to the issues you all want to hear about today. Papua New Guinea needs foreign investment dollars.

I say this without a shadow of doubt and with all sincerity. I am realistic enough to also say that wanting foreign investment and expecting it on a golden platter is not a one way street. Yes, it's a two-way street. We give to you as well as you give us.

In the first few days of coming into office, a number of statements pertaining to the various equity and ownership positions were made by a number of my ministers.

Let me reassure you that the goal-posts have not been shifted and relocated.

The playing field remains the same and shall be maintained that way for the foreseeable future.

In the mining industry, the applicable law provides for 30% equity for PNG to take up in any new mining project.

Similarly, the equity position provided by the PNG Oil and Gas Act provides a 22.5% equity stake for PNG.

The PNG government, affected provincial governments and landowner communities share these equity and other benefits provided under the respective applicable laws.

If local interests demand higher equity position for landowners and provincial governments, the onus is on the National Government to resolve such demand from our equity position as stipulated by the Mining and Oil and Gas Acts respectively.

We can also make adjustments under the applicable tax regimes to reward provinces that host these multi-billion dollar mining and petroleum projects with some percentage of tax benefits derived from these projects.

The most-important agenda of my government, with respect to the mining and petroleum industries, is to create an enabling environment within which projects can be developed peacefully and benefits and multiplier business opportunities derived thereof are shared fairly among all stakeholders.

There is no need at the present time to destabilise mining and petroleum industry developers and investors with a law designed to compromise or reduce their present respective equity position.

The applicable laws have not changed. Changes may and will occur in the future but they will have to be driven by a win-win formula for all stakeholders in a predicable manner.

These changes – when they are desired and when they do occur - will take place with and after comprehensive dialogue and discussion with you and with all other affected parties including landowners in Papua New Guinea.

Let me also reassure you that my government is about being inclusive right across the board on all matters of national affairs.

And that includes all aspects of the foreign investment and natural resource extraction industries sectors in PNG.

My government is not about creating sovereign risks for my nation's foreign investment and development potential.

My government is not about making life difficult for foreign investors, especially those that have invested millions of dollars in speculative exploration and later to develop and underpin emerging world class mining and hydrocarbon industries in PNG.

My government respects the principle of finders keep and finders share. That is the spirit within which we will, and we shall all operate under my watch.

I have cautioned, and will caution again, my ministers and State-owned corporations, involved in the mining and hydrocarbon industry, to desist promptly from giving misleading signals to the foreign investment sector.

It is not my government's position to create insecurity, political risk or threaten foreign investment with expropriation. Some of these negative signals have been made since my government took office.

I will vigorously investigate this deception targeted at the progress of the two multi-billion dollar LNG projects and take corrective action in the coming days.

Let me reiterate in the strongest terms that I lead an inclusive and consultative government that will not fall back on the bad habits of governments that have been in power previously in PNG.

I am serious about the bigger interests of the nation - not corruption and vindictive personalised agenda of my ministers or persons who seek to actively use my ministers to further their deceptive agenda in the mining and petroleum industries in particular.

MINING SECTOR

We have world class gold, copper and nickel resources.

Ok Tedi gold and copper mine has been a mainstay of the PNG economy since independence.

Lihir gold mine has been a strong performer for our economy.

Wafi gold prospect has the resource potential to be the biggest gold and copper mine in the Southern Hemisphere.

This will further boost the PNG economy in the next 20 years. It will be a significant contributor to the government's coffers in the future.

Ramu nickel mine adds significant weight to the mineral resource boom now taking place in PNG.

HYDROCARBON SECTOR

The two multi-billion dollar LNG projects – PNG LNG being developed by a consortium led by ExxonMobil and Oil Search Limited and Gulf LNG, being established by InterOil Corporation and its partners – both world class projects.

These are projects with potential to create revenue in-flows for PNG like never before.

On August 9, I stated in my initial policy statement that every effort will be made by my government to assist these two projects to meet their initial production timelines in 2014.

My position has not changed.

I will ensure there are no political and bureaucratic interference in their progress.

All dealings with regard to these two projects shall be transparent and predictable. The importance of these two projects can neither be overstated nor understated.

To give these projects the prominence they deserve, I will dedicate a senior member of my staff in the coming days as a direct link in my office, whose job it will be to actively liaise directly with the responsible ministry, department and LNG Facilitation Office to ensure this two projects are not hampered in their progress by political and bureaucratic nepotism.

The PNG LNG project needs all the help that my government can give, and we shall do that as a matter of priority, to address all outstanding landowner issues and resolve them so that there are no further delays in progressing this project to production.

Similarly, my government will not tolerate any interference designed to delay progress of the Gulf LNG project. Gulf LNG is nearing a Final Invest Decision by the end of this year and all assistance will be given by my government to fulfil all their requirements to arrive at FID.

I want to see these two projects developed together.

RESPECTING FOREIGN INVESTMENT

In concluding, my government respects the commitment of foreign investment companies that have stayed loyal to PNG in both the good and bad economic times PNG has face since the early 1990s.

We welcome new foreign investment initiatives in our booming mining and petroleum sectors.

However, we would like to see that new investors and returning investors respect those that are already operating in PNG. We would like to see that potential investors come through the front door with their goodies.

In all sincerity, the last thing we all want is to destabilise existing well-meaning investors who have long-haul interests and commitment as PNG's development partners.

My government believes in being predictable and forthright in our dealings with all foreign investors in our nation's various natural resource sectors.

12.09.2011
Source: Radio New Zealand International

Bougainville NGO says residents ignored drought warnings

An NGO in Papua New Guinea’s autonomous province of Bougainville says residents had ignored warnings to prepare for a drought which is currently affecting more than six- thousand people.

The President of the North Bougainville Women’s Federation, Hona Holan says the Government gave sufficient warning to people, particularly in Buka and the islands of the Caterets and Nissan, to grow more crops.

She says people have not taken heed of the warnings.

“Well I think that the chiefs should have been involved because a lot of people live in the communities with chiefs, so they should monitor their own communities and just see that the communities, the people are involved in planting whatever crops can last during the drought, or give more awareness to the people on how they can save water.”
Hona Holan says many residents from the remote islands are no relying on water and food provisions from the Government.

12.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

BUC reminds sellers
By JOYCE TOHUI

Buka Urban Council’s Environmental Health Officer, Lawrencia Kumis is reminding mothers again of the health requirements imposed on the sale of cooked food at the Buka market.
She told New Dawn FM this morning that during inspections last Friday there were little problems where fish were not properly wrapped.
Ms Kumis warned that if sellers are not abiding by the rules these certain items will be removed at the market.
She said so far so good mothers are following the rules and it stays that way.
Ms Kumis also called on customers to always remember to wash their hands before touching and eating cooked food to avoid sickness.
The Environmental Health Officer called on the people of Bougainville to always practice basic hygiene as prevention is better than cure.
She said prevention is priceless but to find cure costs so much when an outbreak of a disease occurs.

12.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

PRODUCERS AWARDS
By Aloysius Laukai

The International Association for Women in Radio and Televisdion is calling for female producers, directors and journalists working with radio, TV and film documentaries around the world to submit entries to the 2011 IAWRT Awards for Excellence in Documentary Making.

The Documentaries must be about women who are making a difference to their own lives or the lives of other women around the world.

The deadline for submission of entries is on October 15, 2011.

In making the announcement, Program and Communication Officer, MIMI COLOMA RICAMUNDA said that the award is to recognize women for their work around the world.
She said that more details including rules and entry form can be downloaded from the internet on www.iawwrt.org/awards .

12.09.2011
Source: Radio New Dawn on Bougainville

MOU SIGNED
By Aloysius Laukai

Pacific island leaders witnessed on September 7th the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the Chief Executive Officers of the region’s two key intergovernmental technical agencies to solidify and further strengthen commitment to collaboration and partnership for sustainable development in the Pacific Island region.

Dr Jimmie Rodgers, Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and Mr David Sheppard, Director of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) signed the MOU during the meeting of Smaller Islands States Leaders held in conjunction with the 42nd Pacific Islands Forum Meetings being held in Auckland this week.

SecretaryGeneral of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), Tuiloma Neroni Slade,welcomed the signing of the agreement, noting that it is encouraging to see formal institutional arrangements to guide the relationship between the twoorganisations.

Under the MOU the two organizations will maximize effective cooperation and efficiency and reduce duplication in delivering services to their member countries and territories within their respective mandates.

The MOU addresses mechanisms for consultations at CEO level and also at technical and programme staff levels, participation at each organization’s government body meetings and operational arrangements.

“Importantly, the MOU is designed to not be “people dependent” for effective cooperation and collaboration,” said Dr Rogers. “It is an institutional partnership that will extend beyond the respective tenures of the current CEOs and will guide the working relationship between our two organizations into the future.”

“The MOU will enable both SPREP and SPC to together deliver more effectively on addressing the issues affecting our region in a long term sustainable manner,” said Mr David Sheppard, Director of SPREP. “SPREP views this agreement as an opportunity to further mainstream environmental considerations in sustainable development planning for the region.”

The agreement comes into effect immediately upon signing (on 5th September, 2011) and will remain in force for a period of four years. It will be renewed by mutual consent at the end of the four years and shall be subjected to a review after 2years.

New Dawn FM on Bougainville gets most of its trainers from the SPC with assistance from Commonwealth of Learning based in Canada.

Minister Pirika welcomed at the Buka airport
Picture by Aloysius Laukai

New Bougainville Affairs Minister and member for South Bougainville, STEVEN KAMA PIRIKA was welcomed recently at the Buka airport by ABG Minister for finance, ALBERT PUNGHAU and Regional member for Bougainville Fidelis Semoso and former Minister for Bougainville Affairs.
Picture by Aloysius Laukai

12.09.2011
Source: ESBC

Radio New Dawn Back Online!

Updated
by Aloysius Laukai

New Dawn FM would like to apologize to its viewers that due to billing problem we could not update our site in the last few weeks.

This has been sorted out and we will start updating the site as from today.

Aloysius Laukai
Manager
New Dawn FM

12.09.2011
Source: Radio New Zealand International

Fears drought is drying up food and water in Buka Island in Bougainville

There are fears that drought is diminishing food and water sources on Buka Island in Papua New Guinea’s Autonomous Province of Bougainville.

The dry season is traditionally felt in Bougainville from October to April but authorities say the islands of Buka, the Carterets, Nissan, Fead, Mortlock and Tasman have experienced little rain during its wet season.

A local councillor for the Tonsu constituency in Buka District, Jessie Banam says food is running out as gardens have dried up other water sources are also scarce.

“For the water, the river waters are probably within four to five months is going to go dry. Some of our creeks at Tonsu constituency is already dry. Our only hope is our water tanks but it’s not going to do much help for us.”
Jessie Banam says she is rallying support from locals to write a letter seeking urgent help from the Bougainville Government.

12.09.2011
Source: The National

PM assures security for investments

PRIME MINISTER Peter O’Neill has assured foreign investors, especially in the mining and petroleum sector, that government will not create insecurity, political risk or threaten foreign investment with expropriation.
“Let me reassure you that the goal posts have not been shifted and relocated because the playing field remains the same and shall be maintained that way for the foreseeable future,” he said during a business luncheon.
The lunch was hosted by Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Frank Kramer and the team from Kramer Ausenco and Norton Rose, last Friday in Brisbane, Australia.
O’Neill was referring to statements made by his ministers pertaining to the various equity and ownership positions, stating that these were some negative signals made since his government took office.
O’Neill said he had cautioned his ministers and state-owned corporations involved in the mining and hydrocarbon industry, to stop giving misleading signals to foreign investors.
He said the government was not about making life difficult for foreign investors who had invested millions of dollars in the exploration phases and later develop emerging world class mining and hydrocarbon industries in PNG.
“My government respects the commitment of foreign investment companies that have been loyal to PNG in both good and bad economic times PNG has faced since the early 1990s,’’ he said.
“We welcome new foreign investment initiatives in our mining and petroleum sectors.
“However, we would like to see that new and returning investors respect those that are already operating in PNG,” the prime minister said.
O’Neill said government believed in being predictable and forthright in its dealings with all foreign investors in PNG’s various natural resource sectors.
“This is not the time to destabilise mining and petroleum industry developers and investors with a law designed to compromise or reduce their present respective equity position.
“The applicable laws have not changed.
“Changes may and will occur in the future but they will have to be driven by a win-win formula for all stakeholders in a predictable manner.”

12.09.2011
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat

Powerful diplomacy behind Pacific Islands Forum meeting

While Pacific Island leaders were meeting in New Zealand last week, behind the scenes a much bigger game of international diplomacy was taking place.

Delegates from countries as far away as Luxembourg, Bhutan and Hungary were in Auckland to lobby Pacific Island leaders for their support in the race for a temporary seat on the United Nation's Security Council.

China and the United States also sent representatives to meet with leaders on the sidelines of the forum as the two super powers vie for influence in the region.

Presenter: Simon Cullen
Speaker: John Key, New Zealand Prime Minister

SIMON CULLEN: When it comes to votes at the United Nations General Assembly, each country's vote counts equally. Meaning small Pacific Island countries, like Nauru or Tuvalu, are just as important as countries like India, with a population of more than a billion people.

And that's what has brought delegates from countries as far away as Europe to the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum in New Zealand this week. Many of the countries are campaigning for a temporary seat on the UN Security Council.

TUILAEPA SAILELE: Request for support are made. There have been approaches to me for meetings but their requests clashed with our meetings.

SIMON CULLEN: The Samoan prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele, says it's not uncommon for countries to use the forum to seek support from Pacific Island leaders.

TUILAEPA SAILELE: When opportunities do arise here, you know, they do it also, this is the kind of practice we do all the time.

SIMON CULLEN: Australia is campaigning for a temporary seat on the Security Council starting in 2013. It's up against Luxembourg and Finland, but there are only two available places, and all three countries took advantage of the forum to seek support for their bids.

PASI PATOKALLIO: We're very well aware of our friendly competition. We have Australia here and we have Luxemburg here and that's, that's normal.

SIMON CULLEN: Pasi Patokallio is leading the delegation from Finland.

PASI PATOKALLIO: We are making our best case and, of course, so is Australia and so is Luxemburg. And then the sovereign nations, the countries will decide whom to support.

But being here Australia, of course, is in a different position than say from us or Luxemburg, because you're here and you have extensive links with the countries. You're a member of the Pacific Island Forums which we certainly are not. So Australia in this part of the world has, shall we say, a home advantage.

MURRAY MCCULLY: We've made it very clear to other countries that we support Australia and will do everything we can to help Australia get up in terms of that race.

SIMON CULLEN: New Zealand's foreign minister, Murray McCully.

Fiji's actively lobbying other Pacific Island countries not to support Australia's bid. But the region's leaders meeting at this week's Forum reaffirmed their support for Australia's campaign.

Murray McCully again.

MURRAY MCCULLY: Australia, which is of course a very generous donor in the region, and has played a very constructive role in regional affairs enjoys enormous goodwill from Pacific countries.

SIMON CULLEN: Another race that has been playing out behind the scenes is one between China and the United States. Both countries sent high-level representatives to the Pacific Islands Forum. The US delegation included the deputy secretary of state, Thomas Nides.

China's influence in the region is growing and the US knows it needs to step up its own efforts in the Pacific.

KURT CAMPBELL: When you look back over 15 or 20 years, it is undeniable that the United States has not performed effectively in the Pacific. But I think we've tried to reverse that.

SIMON CULLEN: Kurt Campbell is the top US diplomat for the Pacific region. He says the United States wants to work with China to help the Pacific.

KURT CAMPBELL: What we'd like to see is engagement that's transparent, that's coordinated, that is designed to meet the best interests of the people of the Pacific. That's our overall goal.

SIMON CULLEN: Do you think China is being transparent and does have the best interests of the Pacific at heart?

KURT CAMPBELL: Look I think it's a work in progress.

SIMON CULLEN: But New Zealand's prime minister, John Key, seems less concerned about the rise of China in the region.

JOHN KEY: As its wealth increases it's spreading its footprint across the world, and that includes the Pacific. And my view of that would be that aid can make a real difference to those countries and we should encourage that.

12.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Bougainville police probe foreigners

POLICE investigations into “foreign retail and wholesale business operations” in Buka town are yet to be completed, Bougainville’s top cop Thomas Eluh announced on Friday.
Mr Eluh told reporters in Buka last Friday that the Police investigating team was closing in on a particular Asian run retail shop operating in Buka town, and they were only awaiting instructions from the Labour office to carry out arrests.
Early speculations and allegations detailed that most of these Asians, particularly Chinese who were married to Bougainvilleans had brought in other “family members or friends” who did not have proper work permits into the country. The allegations, according to Mr Eluh, were being investigated but that would also need an effective input from the Labour Office in Buka and Port Moresby and that of Immigrations.
He said while they were still carrying out investigations and working closely with Labour office on the issue of foreigners coming and operating, they have already finalised some of their reports and only awaiting response from other authorities before any actions could be carried out.
He also announced to the public that police were now carrying out checks at the airport and wharf, effectively in Buka, particularly to find out from every travelling foreigner what they were doing in town and who had invited them and for what reason.

12.09.2011
Source: Scoop

Bougainville Library another step closer to being built

Mr Binding with a model of the library

The library – or stori haus – is the inspiration of Wellington writer Lloyd Jones, whose 2007 Man Booker Prize-winning novel Mister Pip is set in Bougainville.

As well as developing a project management plan, Mr Binding will also organise the timber needed for the project, and will prepare the site for building.

He is looking forward to returning to Bougainville to start the next stage of the process.

“It’s really exciting to finally be getting ready to build the library. It will be a great asset for the people of Bougainville, and everyone is really looking forward to seeing being able to use it.”

Once the project management plan has been developed and approved, Mr Binding will return to Bougainville as a VSA volunteer in February 2012 to spend six months supervising the building process.

Lloyd Jones, chair of the Bougainville Library Trust, says he is delighted Mr Binding is involved in the project.

“We couldn’t have got the project underway without VSA, and no-one is more qualified or suitable to the task of building the library than Barry. He spent two years living in Bougainville, and he is held in very high esteem there.”

12.09.2011
Source: Radio New Zealand International

PNG relocation plans amid drought near Bougainville island

The head of disaster management in Papua New Guinea’s Autonomous Region of Bougainville says plans to relocate residents from remote islands are progressing.

For years the people of the Carteret Islands have been wanting to move from their flood-prone atolls to the Bougainville mainland.

The Carterets and other outlying islands including Nissan, Mortlock and Tasman islands are experiencing a severe drought.

The Bougainville Regional Disaster Director, Franklin Leslie, says so far local chiefs have given their approval for one site to be used for resettlement.

“There are final negotiations to the issue. By the end of next month they’ll be signing a memorandum of agreement and then after that the MOU. So we can get these people from the atolls to resettle at this particular site. The Government has put aside two millon to cater for this resettlement programme.”
Franklin Leslie says within the first five years, 40 houses will be built to cater for 40 families from the outlying islands.

10.09.2011
Source: ESBC Research

Vikki John - is she turning mad?

Who will finally help poor Vikki John?
An academic officer of UTS faculty of law supposed to turn mad.

Vikki John lives in Sydney. She works as an academic officer in the Faculty of Law of the UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY SYDNEY (UTS). Her single academic publication has been published in 2004 ('Bougainville Freedom Movement' in As Mothers of the Land, Pandanus, Canberra, Australia, pp. 85-90).

Since many years Mrs. John grimly supports left-wing anti-mining campaigns against Rio Tinto and Bougainville Copper Limited. For many years Mrs. John kept a secret of sweet passion for late Bougainville President Joseph Kabui. Since Kabui's death in 2008 she suffers increasingly from irate out-breaks.

It is quite obvious that Vikki John suffers since a couple of years from major mental troubles as paranoiac symptoms. Until now, Mrs. John unfortunately does not receive imperative needed adequate psychiatric care yet.

Therefore, in internet forums as the Yahoo Bougainville group she still writes lunatic statements such as the following:

On 9/8/11, Vikki John <vikkibfm123@yahoo.com.au> wrote:
> WOW, RIO TINTO ARE SO COOL. THEY HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING WRONG. SPEW SPEW
> GOT A NEW SONG. YEAH THEY ARE SO HUMANIST VOMIT VOMIT VOMIT
> KILLED ALL OF 15000 TO 20000 OF YOU MY BOUGAINVILLLE
> WOW A POWERFUL MINING COMPANY BCL CRA NOW RIO TINTO
> DO THEY CARE?
> NO SORRY THEY DONT CARE FOR YOU!
> SO NOW WILL YOU THINK ABOUT YOURSELF?
> THEY KILLED SO MANY OF YOUR PEOPLE!
> I HATE THE CREEPS.
> I KEEP VOMITTING. I KEEP VOMITTING. I KEEP VOMITTING.

Herewith the ESBC urge the dean of the UTS faculty of law, Professor Jill McKeough, and head of the personal department of the UTS to take better care of their staff and to provide psychiatric care to those who suffer from major mental problems as Mrs. John does.

10.09.2011
Source: Brisbane Times - Business Day

Waiting for the floodgates to open

China is awash with cash and the Australian resources sector is ripe with opportunity, writes John Garnaut in Beijing.

Each working day the People's Bank of China buys more than $US2 billion ($1.88 billion) worth of foreign currency from Chinese businesses and invests it overseas.

China's outbound direct investment - the portion that matters to Australian takeover targets - has increased 30-fold in seven years.

''We've had something like 260 projects approved since November '07, $65 billion worth,'' says Frances Adamson, Australia's new ambassador in Beijing.

Advertisement: Story continues below The Treasurer, Wayne Swan, says there is more to come. ''We've had three very big years and there's more coming if you actually listen to the sorts of conversations I've been listening to,'' he told the Herald when visiting China last week.

And Geoff Raby, the former ambassador who Adamson replaced last month, has shown his faith in the continuing investment flow by trading his senior diplomatic career for a modest portion of the China-Australia investment flow. Raby has taken directorships at five Australian firms that have tapped (or hope to tap) into China's swelling investment coffers: miners Fortescue and Oceanagold, fund manager QIC, law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Riverstone Advisory.

''Australia has always been a capital importer and China has a capital surplus and it is inevitable that it's going to flow from China to Australia,'' says Raby.

Raby has taken a sixth directorship, with technology firm Smarttrans, which is notable for being one of the few Australian companies sending investment money the other way.

The economics of emerging markets and fixed exchange rates imply that China's outward investment wave is just a ripple compared with what must be coming.

''We stand at the dawn of hundreds of billions of dollars in Chinese mergers, acquisitions, and investments in new greenfield facilities around the world over the decades to come,'' write Daniel Rosen and Thilo Hanemann in the opening of a report on Chinese investment to the United States, commissioned by the Asia Society.

''If China follows the typical pattern of an emerging economy, it will ship $US1 trillion to $US2 trillion in direct investment abroad by 2020.''

And yet, as the report points out, it hasn't happened yet.

China has invested the vast bulk of its $US3.2 trillion in foreign exchange reserves in US bonds while deploying only a fraction to foreign direct investments. The most recent official figures show that China accounts for just $US230 billion - a mere 1.2 per cent - of the global stock of FDI.

In 2009, China's average income had risen close to the global average but its per capita FDI share was just $US175, compared with a global average of $US2900. For all the hype, China's outward investment flows have not shifted much in the last few years and have remained stuck below 1 per cent of GDP, which is less than a fifth of foreign direct investment inflows into China.

In Australia, Wayne Swan's Foreign Investment Review Board has cleared the log-jam of Chinese applications and all sides say the processes have improved.

''Why the [FIRB] issue has settled down a lot from when it was a lot hotter a couple of years ago [is that now they're] all coming in with portfolio investments rather than marching in and saying we're going to do it all on our own,'' says Swan. ''I think they are as a matter of policy diversifying.''

But even in Australia, where FIRB has approved $65 billion of investment in recent years, the reality is unremarkable.

Daniel Rosen and Thilo Hanemann of the Rhodium Group are keeping tabs on China's foreign investments across the world.

Their data base, based on media reports and other public information, suggests less than a third of those "approved" Australian deals ever came to fruition. Their data show Chinese investment into Australia hit $3.5 billion in 2008, doubled again to $7.2 billion in 2009 and then fell to $1.5 billion in 2009 and $2.7 billion in the year to date. In the past two years Australia has taken a back seat as Chinese firms have gained a foothold in Canada and South America.

The reason for China's investment temerity, it seems, is that lending money to foreign governments is easy but managing real businesses is hard. It's proving to be particularly tough for the state-owned companies that dominate the investment flow.

The leaders of these companies - known as ''number one'' in China - have enormous power. Their fortunes are determined by how well they impress officials higher up the tree. The ones who succeed overseas are quick to recognise that the skills and relationships that led them towards the top of the Chinese bureaucracy are not enough.

In Australia, as elsewhere, they are forced to contend with all manner of lower-level stakeholders, including minority shareholders, workers and local communities.

A fortnight ago China's top foreign ministry official, Zhang Zhijun, flew to Canberra for an annual bilateral strategic dialogue.

The meetings were productive, the relationship appeared in good shape, but the Chinese side again expressed frustration with how difficult it was to invest in Australia. The disquiet has moved on from FIRB to cumbersome red tape including environmental, heritage and labour regulations.

''It's just a general sense that investing in Australia takes so long and can be so hard,'' said one Chinese official, involved in the recent bilateral talks.

Exactly how long, and how hard, can depend on the company - or even which division of which company - is doing the investing.

CITIC Australia, a subsidiary of Hong Kong-listed CITIC Resources (which in turn is controlled by the state-owned parent company), has been kicking goals in Australia since signing one of China's very first overseas joint ventures, in 1984. The Portland aluminium smelter with Alcoa was strongly backed by China's original ''red capitalist'', Rong Yiren, and is still going strong.

CITIC Australia has been run by a respected professional, Chen Zeng, who was promoted in April to run the parent, CITIC Resources.

Zeng led CITIC Australia to be a founding investor in Ken Talbot's Macarthur Coal, where he now faces the enviable dilemma of whether to cash in his hugely profitable quarter share or mount a counter offer to Peabody's $4.9 billion takeover.

It seems likely that FIRB has approved an application, judging by the lack of angst in China.

''Swan would not set foot in China again if he handed Macarthur to an American company by blocking the original Chinese founding shareholder,'' said one observer, perhaps with some exaggeration.

Rong Yiren stepped down as chairman of the CITIC group in 1993 to take the job of vice-president of China. He was replaced by Wang Jun, son of the hardline Communist Party elder Wang Zhen. Rong bequeathed a portion of his state-owned empire to his son, Larry Yung, who was given the chairmanship and a large chunk of shares in another Hong Kong-listed arm, CITIC Pacific.

In 2006 CITIC Pacific was given carriage of an iron ore project that needed to be signed for Premier Wen Jiabao's tour of Western Australia in 2006. It paid $200 million for Clive Palmer's Sino Iron and budgeted to spend $1.4 billion to get it producing iron ore by 2009.

The company managed to ''hedge'' its Australian dollar exposure with an exotic product that capped potential gains but allowed for unlimited losses if the dollar fell below US87¢. The financial crisis hit, the Aussie dollar was smashed and CITIC Pacific initially covered up losses before confessing they had risen to about $2.7 billion.

CITIC Pacific was bailed out by Beijing. CITIC Pacific didn't know much about finance but it knew even less about iron ore mining.

It gave the construction contract and a 20 per cent equity stake to China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) - a state-owned enterprise (SOE) that had no experience in developed countries or in iron ore mine construction. The two SOE behemoths have been feuding ever since.

For his part, MCC boss Shen Heting has lashed Australia's regulatory environment, especially for preventing him from importing cheap Chinese workers. He faces similarly unexpected challenges in every country he has major investments in including Papua New Guinea, Afghanistan and Libya.

And he has been arguing the case that Chinese taxpayers should continue to fund his investment misadventures.

''This business is not only something we want to pursue but something we need to do for the country,'' Shen told Caixin Media last year.

Last month CITIC said final construction costs for the iron ore deal would blow out to $US6.1 billion - excluding hedging contract losses - on a project that is now running two years late.

China's "go out" investment strategy became policy in 1999 and began to get noticed around the world about 2007 when China's foreign exchange reserves began to break records. But the strategy was really conceived in the 1970s and born in the 1980s in collaboration with Australia.

While the Chinese investment landscape is littered with accidents there are success stories, too, which all trace an ancestry to those innovative and reforming times.

The early resource import and investment deals were championed by visionary leaders like Hu Yaobang, Zhao Ziyang and Bob Hawke and executed by practical and open-minded businessmen. It began with CRA chairman Rod Carnegie shipping the first cargo of Australian iron ore to a trading company called China Minmetals in 1973.

In 2009 the same Minmetals company saved OZ Minerals from liquidation, earning domestic support in Australia. Minmetals has made its money back in just two years, although the success of the deal has been obscured by its complexity.

(The price tag was $1.4 billion but Minmetals paid only $300 million in cash while transferring $1.1 billion in debt funding to the target company. That $300 million was returned to the company as a special dividend before last year's re-listing in Hong Kong, while the successful share placement enabled the company to repay $700 million of its earlier debt.)

Minmetals still controls 72 per cent of the listed company, renamed Minmetals Resources, and is probably China's most profitable non-oil overseas investment. The broader point is that the company's experiment in outsourcing management to local experts has become a model for other Chinese miners to follow.

"We have a huge number of delegations come through from SASAC [which manages Chinese government companies] looking at how we run our business from a safety and environmental point of view,'' says Minmetals' boss Andrew Michelmore. ''They know there are huge challenges but they want to learn.''

Michelmore plans to build a $US20 billion mid-tier mining company within five years.

CRA's Carnegie and Russel Madigan continued to engage with China and in 1987 they signed an historic Pilbara iron ore joint venture with Sinosteel (in those days China Metallurgical Import and Export Corp).

Last year Sinosteel and Rio Tinto re-signed to continue the Channar iron ore venture, which has so far shipped 190 million tonnes of iron ore to China and is the country's most successful overseas mining venture. (Sinosteel's $1.4 billion investment in Midwest, however, may never get off the ground).

Carnegie brought a steady stream of metal industry officials to Australia. One of them, Fei Ziwen, deputy director of a copper mine, spent three months at Bougainville copper mine in the early 1980s.

''He really stood out, he just asked so many questions, he was so sharp and an exceptionally nice guy,'' says Ian Bauert, who was CRA's China representative in the 1980s and has returned in the same role for Rio Tinto. Bauert entertained Fei at his parents' Gold Coast home.

Fei, who had spent much of his life as a mining engineer in Chinese gold mine shafts without dust protection, was blown away by CRA's safety and environmental standards. He returned to write a small book on how to build a modern copper mine and was given a meteoric promotion to the top of China National Nonferrous Metals Industry Corporation.

In 1988 Fei sent 22 of his brightest officials on secondments in Australia. The group included Xiao Yaqing, who ended up running the company's aluminium assets when they were hived off to form Chinalco. Xiao became known as one of the most capable and dynamic leaders after he led Chinalco's tilt at Rio Tinto.

Xiao's travel group was led by Xu Hanjing, who later joined forces with Macquarie bankers Nick Curtis and Jake Klein to found Australia's biggest investment success in China, Sino Gold. Sino Gold was valued at $1.9 billion when it was sold to Canada's Eldorado in 2009.

Xu, who now works at Riverstone Advisory along with Curtis and the former ambassador Geoff Raby, recalls how his mentor Fei had driven China Nonferrous into modernity. Along with his reform-minded successor Wu Jianchang (Deng Xiaoping's son-in-law) Fei'' introduced new open cut copper mining methods, split the group into specialist areas and removed socialist-era ''iron rice bowl"'' government programs. ''All mines had their own schools, hospitals and even police but he encouraged them to do only mining.''

Fei is now retired in Beijing, where he suffers from silicosis. A few years ago Xu invited him to visit Sino Gold's mine in Shaanxi province to see its community, environmental and work safety programs.

''Fei was just a mining engineer, with no political background, who worked very hard and was very smart,'' says Xu. ''A lot of his friends had died very early because of the dust from gold mining in Liaoning. He stayed at our gold mine for four days and told me, 'This is something I dreamed of for Chinese mining industry', and immediately wrote an emotional report to premier Wen Jiabao.''

Proteges of the Australian and Chinese miners who pioneered China's go-out strategy continue to have impact. But the likes of Fei Ziwen, Xiao Yaqing, Chen Zeng and Xu Hanjing don't always win the day.

When Sino Gold's Shaanxi mine was nearly exhausted, the remnants were sold to a Chinese enterprise. They stacked a new tailings dam on top of the existing one and it collapsed when a tremor struck the area. The huge body of water and mud was caught by the original Sino Gold tailings dam which held firm before it could destroy the local community.

''Even now Chinese mining is in cash mining stage, shovel by shovel, get the best vein and then get out,'' says Xu. ''It's not stupidity but immaturity. Building a mining equity market requires further reform. The challenge with reform is when you stop rowing a boat you go backwards - and you lose.''

09.09.2011
Source: Radio New Zealand International

Drought worsening on Bougainville outer islands

The head of disaster management in Papua New Guinea’s Autonomous Province of Bougainville says a drought affecting 6,000 people is getting worse.

The island of Buka and outer islands including the Carterets, Nissan, Fead, Mortlock and Tasman islands have had little rain during the wet season, which runs from May to September.

The Bougainville Regional Disaster Director Franklin Leslie says the dry season has come early and left many people short on food and water.

“It is really it is already getting worse. The little water has been given by the small rainy season in the last two months have subsided. We are already feeling the pinch of it. There’s no water in schools. Some schools are already cautioning children.”
Franklin Leslie says the Bougainville Government has budgeted more than 700,000 US dollars to provide aid but says the PNG government is yet to provide the funds.

09.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Chiefs make allowance call
By JOYCE TOHUI

BUKA chiefs are calling on the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) to pay them allowance for facing all types of risks during the Bougainville conflict.
The Chairman of Chairmen’s of Buka Council of Elders, Romeo Tohiana said that chiefs deserved to be paid risk allowance for their services to the communities they served during the conflict.
‘’The government must compensate the chiefs similar to the risk allowance public servants would receive,’’ said Tohiana.
Mr Tohiana said that Buka chiefs should be recognised for establishing peace and normalcy first on Bougainville.
Meanwhile, a Buka youth called on the ABG to establish a medal system to recognise chiefs and individuals who contributed in establishing and creating peace on Bougainville.
The youth, who wants to remain anonymous, said that the ABG must have a record of bravery acts of Bougainvilleans during the Bougainville conflict and the medal system is a good way of recognising their efforts.
He said that the ABG should not consider any risk allowance in cash but through the medal system in which many people in all districts can be recognised.
The youth said that paying cash as risk allowance will not work as the ABG does not have any money for these kinds of activities.
It was understood that the risk allowance owed to public servants was awarded in 2000 for the risks taken by public servants, mainly nurses and teachers, who worked during the peak of the crisis and the public servants allowance is from the National Government who was the employer of these public servants who served during the conflict.

09.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Road opens to markets
By PETERSON TSERAHA

THE new Jaba Paruparu road will enable cash crop farmers, particularly cocoa farmers, easy access to the market their cocoa in Arawa, and also mothers with their fresh produce will for the first time come down to the main market in Arawa.
National member for central Bougainville and Minister for Communication Jimmy Miringtoro allocated K2.4 million for the road which will be a history for the people of Eivo since PNG’s independence.
Member for Eivo Torau in the Autonomous Bougainville Government Melchior Dare said a lot of mothers in his constituency were now fortunate because their fresh produce would be sold at the market in Arawa.
“My people are very business-minded people, we have a lot of cocoa in Eivo but we spend something like a whole week to take all of them down here then pay for a car again and then go down to the buying depot in Arawa town,” Mr Dare said.
“Our main aim is to revive the Region’s economy through cash crops and that is what we here in Eivo Torau are doing and this new road, which will soon be constructed, will enable us to come down to the markets more conveniently and easily.”
“Our mothers will be happy because they will be supplying the whole of Arawa with fresh produce straight from their gardens.”
Cocoa in the Eivo area is of the best quality on Bougainville and the people of Paruparu will now be very happy to contribute to Bougainville’s economy.
The people of Eivo are now very grateful to the Communications Minister Jimmy Miringtoro for funding the road which will enable them to conduct their business easily.

09.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

‘Environment is vital’
By PETERSON TSERAHA

MINING should not be the first thing on every Bougainvillean’s mind, Mekamui government of Unity Vice President Philip Takaung said.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Paruparu Jaba road, Philip Takaung said the environment should be the first thing people should be cautions and mindful about.
“We mustn’t let money lure us into disaster, and damage our natural habitat by destroying the eco system and we will be evacuated somewhere to live,” MrTakaung said.
He made these statements after landowner groups from other mine areas like Tore in Kunua west Bougainville and Karato in the central Bougainville west coast border, are intending to invite exploration companies into their areas.
“Don’t be fooled by money, and remember what we all fought for, because when a lot of people see money, they become greedy and forget about others.
“A lot of us, especially us the ex combatants, I can admit it right now that we are very greedy. We have lost our goal and vision of what we fought for.”
He said that when mining comes in, the baby greedy monster will grow until it eats up every body and leaves no one. “How would you feel when you give away your sacred land and your fishing and hunting grounds, to a mining company and you are relocated to some other place?” he asked.

09.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Tonsu people go to the polls tomorrow

POLLING for the Tonsu by-election will start on Saturday, September 10 and will end on 14.
Candidates have up to today to carry out last minute campaigns in the area.
According to the polling schedule, two teams will run the election between this Saturday and next Wednesday to cover all villages in the Tonsu Constituency.
Team one would cover Kahule Primary School and surrounding villages, Tung, Poka and Novah Primary School whilst Team two will cover Novah 2, Matsungan island, Hetal and Petats island.
Thirteen candidates are vying for Tonsu’s seat in the by-election.
They are Joel Noga, Michael Toreas, Kout Kavop, John Dumit, Dudley Matuan, Joel Banam, Ben Tsiu, Philimon Tulo, Eddie Mohin, Uzaiah Toukes, Israel Kout, Jonathan Ringin and Isaach Heken Thompson.
Meanwhile, Bougainville Electoral Commissioner, Reitama Taravaru said the Tonsu by-election was on track as planned and did not encounter any problems.
“Tonsu people are working closely with the Bougainville electoral officers contributing to the smooth running of the election,’’ said Mr Taravaru. Mr Taravaru believes the Tonsu election will end successfully as seen by the involvement of the Tonsu constituents.
The winning candidate in the Tonsu by-election will represent the people of Tonsu in the ABG parliament in the next four years.

08.09.2011
Source: ESBC Research

Bulls Back in BOC?

The actual BOC chart shows a massive bullish outbreak (little light green ring) from an extreme bearish scenario (orange channel) after a preceding highly bullish performance (green channel) in BOC share prices. A classic "W" formation is unclear yet but the chart could be interpreted as the beginning of one.

The latest analyzes on Bougainville Copper Limited share was published by BuySellTips and kindly provided to the ESBC!

Find out more here!

08.09.2011
Source: ESBC Research

Chinalco - A Future Partner for Bougainville Copper?

Find out here how Chinese industry metal giant Chinalco is already linked with Rio Tinto:

Rio Tinto, Chinalco Yunnan to mine copper in Chile
• ROBB M. STEWART
• From:Dow Jones Newswires
• September 08, 2011 11:53AM

Rio and Chinalco have also partnered to mine copper in mainland China. Source: The Australian
COPPER explorer Chinalco Yunnan Copper Resources said today it will partner Rio Tinto in a project in northern Chile, making its third such agreement for the region with the mining giant.
A Chilean subsidiary of Chinalco Yunnan will be able to earn a stake in the project by helping fund exploration work, and will have an option to enter a joint venture with Rio.
The Candelabro porphyry copper and molybdenum prospect, is some 60km north of BHP Billiton's Cerro Colorado mine, and covers about 4200ha.
Chinalco Yunnan said the advanced project will be drilled ahead of the Caramasa and Palmani copper prospects in the region, where it also has agreements with Rio to farm-in to the projects.
The company's subsidiary can earn a 40 per cent stake in the Candelabro project with drill work and an investment of $US8 million ($7.5m), including a minimum spend of $US250,000 in the first year, after which Rio will have 90 days to either resume management of the project, or grant the company a further three years to invest $US15m to take its interest to 60 per cent. If Rio maintains its 60 per cent controlling stake, then a joint venture company will be formed between the companies, it said.

Related Coverage

• Rio, Chinalco in exploration dealAdelaide Now, 2 Jun 2011
• Rio Tinto signs off Chinalco dealAdelaide Now, 1 Jun 2011
• Rio inks venture with ChinalcoThe Australian, 1 Jun 2011
• A cautious BHP courts BeijingThe Australian, 27 Apr 2011
• Rio signs another JV with ChinalcoThe Australian, 27 Apr 2011

Chinalco Yunnan's largest shareholder is a majority-owned unit of Aluminium Corp of China, or Chinalco, which holds a 21 per cent interest and is also Rio's largest shareholder with a 9 per cent stake.
Rio and Chinalco in June formed a joint venture to explore mainland China for copper and other minerals, and the pair is also developing a prospective iron ore deposit in Guinea.
Rivals Rio Tinto, Chinalco set up copper resources exploration tie-up

• From:AAP
• June 02, 2011 10:26am

Source: The Australian

RIO Tinto and Chinalco have agreed to jointly explore copper resources in mineral-hungry China.

The deal comes as relations between Rio and China, its biggest customer, slowly improve after four of its staff were jailed in Shanghai for bribery and stealing commercial secrets last year during tense iron ore pricing talks.

Chinalco will take a 51 per cent stake in the joint venture -- Chinalco Rio Tinto Exploration -- while Rio will hold the rest, the Anglo-Australian mining firm said.

The agreement to explore for "world-class mineral deposits" is still subject to Chinese regulatory approval and follows the signing of a non-binding memorandum of understanding in December, it said.

"Security of supply of key minerals is, I know, an issue of the highest importance for China," Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese said at a signing ceremony.

RELATED COVERAGE

• Chinalco, Rio Tinto in third JVThe Australian, 4 hours ago
• Rio Tinto remains upbeat on China The Australian, 2 Jun 2011
• Rio Tinto signs off Chinalco deal Herald Sun, 1 Jun 2011
• Rio inks venture with Chinalco The Australian, 1 Jun 2011
• A cautious BHP courts BeijingThe Australian, 27 Apr 2011

"Rio Tinto wishes to be a strategic partner to China in the supply, development and also the discovery of those resources."

Rio will appoint the general manager of the joint venture, which is expected to be based in Beijing, while Chinalco will nominate the chairman, chief financial officer and deputy general manager, the statement said.

Chinalco president Xiong Weiping said in the statement access to resources was "critical" for many major economies and the joint venture with Rio could "potentially create commodity supplies to benefit the global economy".

The joint venture will initially focus on copper exploration but coal and potash resources could be explored "at a later date", the statement said.

Chinalco is seeking to diversify from aluminium into other sectors such as coal, iron ore, rare earths and copper to become a global mining firm.

The case against the Rio staff, which followed the company's decision in 2009 to scrap a tie-up with Chinalco, its shareholder, hurt ties between Beijing and Canberra and stoked concerns among foreign investors about the rule of law in China.

Rio Tinto signs off Chinalco deal
• Rachel Hewitt
• From:Herald Sun
• June 01, 2011 11:30pm

Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese has signed an exploration deal.
Source: The Australian

Tom Albanese

MINING giant Rio Tinto will explore China for copper and other minerals after inking a deal with Chinalco.
Rio chief executive Tom Albanese and Chinalco president Xiong Weiping yesterday signed the joint venture exploration deal at a ceremony in Beijing.
The miner said copper would be the immediate exploration priority, and coal and potash could be later targets.
"Given that mainland China is highly prospective, the joint venture has the potential to create valuable opportunities for both partners," Mr Albanese said.
Chinalco will hold the controlling stake in the joint venture, at 51 per cent, while Rio's interest will be 48 per cent. The deal is subject to approval from Chinese regulators. The signing ceremony follows a non-binding memorandum of understanding between the companies in December last year.

RELATED COVERAGE

• Chinalco, Rio Tinto in third JVThe Australian, 4 hours ago
• Rio, Chinalco in exploration deal Adelaide Now, 2 Jun 2011
• Rio inks venture with Chinalco The Australian, 1 Jun 2011
• A cautious BHP courts BeijingThe Australian, 27 Apr 2011
• Rio signs another JV with Chinalco The Australian, 27 Apr 2011

Mr Albanese said formalising the deal was "an important milestone" in the expanding relationship between Rio and China.
Rio's ties with China frayed in 2009 with the arrest of Shanghai-based executive Stern Hu, but have since improved. Rio shares gained 5c, or 0.06 per cent, to $81.55 yesterday.

Rio signs another JV with Chinalco

• DAVID FICKLING
• From:Dow Jones Newswires
• April 27, 2011 10:43AM

RIO Tinto will enter a joint venture with Chinalco's Australian subsidiary to explore for copper in Chile.
China Yunnan Copper Australia's (CYU) main shareholder is Yunnnan Copper Industry, which is in turn majority-owned by Chinalco. Chinalco is also the largest shareholder in Rio Tinto, holding around 9 per cent of its UK-listed shares.
CYU said today it would explore Palmani and Caramasa, two tenements close to BHP Billiton'sCerro Colorado mine with good prospects for porphyry, a copper ore which often contains significant quantities of gold, silver and molybdenum. The company could earn a 40 per cent interest in each project if it spends a minimum of $US18 million over five years on the two projects.
Last December, Rio Tinto and Chinalco announced a joint venture to carry out exploration activities in China, although the companies haven't said which commodities they would be looking for.
The companies' largest joint venture, the Simandou iron ore project in the west African country of Guinea, saw progress last week when Rio Tinto signed a deal with Guinea's government that will allow Guinea to raise its eventual stake in the project to 35 per cent.
Chinalco has agreed to pay $US1.35 billion to Rio Tinto to take a 44.65 per cent stake in the project, which is currently 95 per cent owned by Rio Tinto and 5 per cent by the World Bank's International Finance Corp. That stake would diminish as Guinea's ownership of Simandou rises.

08.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Murder ‘likely’ on Asian duo
By GORETHY KENNETH

POLICE in Bougainville have not ruled out a possible murder of the two Asians who travelled to Torokina on a business trip and are allegedly still missing after one month.
Bougainville’s disaster office called off the search after a month of looking for them.
These Asians, specifically Chinese, were on an alleged mission to Torokina accompanied by a Gulf man and four other locals in a “fact finding mission” to check on brass and scrap metal in that part of the island.
According to the boat skipper, the two Chinese may have been sucked by strong current into a trench. This trench, according to the boat skipper, is not known by most people and authorities in the region. He said the two arrived on August 3 and took off from Buka to Torokina the next day.
The boat owner said he told the passengers that after 11 o’clock, they would not go because that was the time when strong winds and rough seas were expected. He said that they were heading to Torokina to do an assessment on how many metals were available and to take photographs to take back to their headquarter to get funding for the first buy when the boat overturned.
But locals and relatives of the two Asians have questioned Bougainville authorities why only the Chinese were “missing” and supposedly taken by the unknown trench and not the locals and the Gulf man accompanying them.
Assistant Commissioner of Police in Buka Thomas Eluh said that the investigation was still underway.

07.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

ABG plans major projects

THE Autonomous Bougainville Government will now have to find about K200 million to fund approved projects anticipated to start this year.
ABG Works Minister Carolus Ketsimur told the Post-Courier that the ABG had approved three major projects that now need full attention from the Bougainville Restoration and Development Authority (BRADA) office.
Mr Ketsimur said the projects approved included:
n ALL feeder roads in Bougainville (1000 kilometres) to be maintained and developed, which would cost about K120 million;
n A new boat for the Atoll Islanders to cost about K8 million; and
n The reconstruction of the Siara-Sipai or Keriaka Road that was cut off by the sea years ago which would cost about K30 million.
“Cabinet has approved the projects as per detailed and we are looking at it in the next four years as the time frame,” Mr Ketsimur said.
“We now have to find the money which will come through our BRADA office…but we are also hoping we get some money from the National Government’s Supplementary Budget to kick start all these projects.”
Mr Ketsimur said the ABG is serious about developing all feeder roads on Bougainville because they are the lifeline to the development and effective service delivery in remote and rural areas.

07.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Bill from Raffles
By PETER KORUGL

The Government had to fork out K2.5 million to pay for minders and visitors for Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare while he was hospitalised in Singapore.
The Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council, which paid the money, was trying to account for the funds because there was a strict ban on visits to Sir Michael while he was in Singapore.
“We do not know why such a huge amount of money was paid out to these minders and visitors who were clearly not needed there. As we all know, no visits were allowed while Sir Michael was in hospital,” a senior government official said.
Details of the expenses incurred and paid for by the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council show that Betha Somare, daughter of Sir Michael, incurred the highest with K192,583.14, while Ms Seke Ua Karingal, Sir Michael’s personal assistant, spent K191,224.81. Next on the list was Lady Veronica Somare who spent K171,825.34, followed by Richard Gogo who spent K143,200.09 and Constable John Keai spent K107,594.91.
Rodney Kamus spent K104,733.79 followed by brother of Sir Michael, Paul Somare with K76,350.60. A Mr Tambon Tara spent K76,268.01 while Const. Rodney Eminoni spent K87,081.42.
The huge expenses has shocked Moresby North-West MP and Minister for Public Enterprises, Sir Mekere Morauta who yesterday said the payment was simply outrageous.
“I am not being mean or discourteous. I wish the Chief a speedy recovery. I am delighted that he appears to be well enough to have come home,” Sir Mekere said. “But private medical expenses are private medical expenses. All Members of Parliament have access to medical insu-rance, and none of us should expect the State to pay our private bills.”
Sir Mekere said the fact was many months ago Sir Michael took leave, appointed an Acting Prime Minister, and went to Singapore for medical treatment.
“He did not fall sick while on duty travel. He gave up the position of Prime Minister but still took a whole entourage with him – family members, protocol officers, police officers – for him to lie in a hospital bed. And it was presumed the people of PNG would foot the bill,” Sir Mekere said.
He said the Somare family should re-pay the State all the medical expenses and costs associated with their recent stay in Singapore.
“It is an insult to Papua New Guineans that government money has been used to pay these costs. Our own health services are so rundown; they are not staffed properly; people are dying daily for want of drugs, of equipment that works, and of accurate diagnosis. Every day we hear of a Papua New Guinean family fundraising to send a family member overseas for medical treatment that is not available here. These people don’t have a government department that forks out millions for them.
“Please Sir Michael, have some decency and assure the nation that you will pay for your own medical expenses. “Having a clear conscience in this regard will give you peace of mind and help your recovery,” Sir Mekere said.

07.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Chief enters House as a humble man
By JONATHAN TANNOS

FOUNDING father of the nation Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare, was the humblest of all leaders yesterday when he was brought into Parliament in a wheelchair during the ringing of the bells at 10am.
He was given the back seat in the middle benches and being minded by a towering Member for Nawae and former Speaker of Parliament, Timothy Bonga.
Mr Bonga had to stoop low to converse and listen to the recuperating Chief every now and then when waiting for Speaker, Jeffery Nape, to enter the chamber.
Then all heads turned when co-founder of the nation and New Ireland Governor, Sir Julius Chan, walked in and after being told of Sir Michael’s presence walked straight to greet and say hello to him.
This caused complete silence as Members turned in their seats to solemnly watch the two founding leaders converse including members of the public sitting in the upper galleries.
They engaged in a quick casual conversation smiling and on Sir Julius’ return to his seat in the Government backbenches, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill also walked in and went along to greet the Chief.
Such was the respect accorded to Sir Michael whose presence seemed to have caused the chamber to be filled well before the ringing of the bells.
Soon after, Mr Nape made his entry starting proceedings for the day including prayers and calling for petitions and statements.
He then swore in new Kundiawa-Gembogl MP, Tobias Kulang.
Sir Michael witnessed all the proceedings from his wheelchair and was to have made a statement but his feeble attempt in putting his hands up to do so went unnoticed by the Speaker.
He was then wheeled out of the chamber after Mr Nape acknowledged his presence and commenced paying tribute to him.

07.09.2011
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat

Sir Michael Somare dumped from PNG parliament

It's been a dramatic year in Papua New Guinea politics but there's been yet another bizarre turn of events.

The man described as the father of the nation, has been unceremoniously kicked out of parliament.

Sir Michael Somare has been disqualified as an MP for absenteeism but his family says the move is illegal and they'll fight it in court.

Presenter: PNG correspondent Liam Fox
Speakers: Jeffrey Nape, Speaker of the PNG parliament; Arthur Somare, PNG MP and son of former prime Minister Sir Michael Somare

FOX: It makes Julia Gillard's dispatch of Kevin Rudd look soft and cuddly by comparison.

NAPE: Honorable members, this morning I did a letter to the Honourable member for East Sepik, that he cease to hold office as of today.

FOX: Late yesterday, after most non-government MPs had left the parliamentary chamber, the Speaker Jeffrey Nape dropped a bombshell. He said the member for East Sepik, Sir Michael Somare had missed three consecutive sittings of Parliament � which is a Constitutional trigger for disqualification.

NAPE: For these reasons it is my decision that the seat of East Sepik province is vacant. I've advised the Governor General and the Sergeant at Arms of the parliament accordingly.

FOX: Sir Michael is far more than just the member for East Sepik.He's known as the father of the nation, the Grand Chief, PNG's first prime minister after independence in 1975.Until a month ago he'd led the country for nine unbroken years.

Yesterday he appeared in Parliament for the first time after a lengthy stay overseas where he underwent three heart operations.

The 75 year old looked frail as he sat in a wheelchair at the back of the chamber.

The new Prime Minister Peter O'Neill came over for a chat and shook his hand.

When proceedings began the Speaker welcomed him warmly back to the house.

Sir Michael stayed only briefly, just long enough he hoped, to avoid being disqualified for his lengthy absence.

But it wasn't to be and he wasn't there when the Speaker wielded the axe.

ARTHUR SOMARE: I think it's absolutely deplorable this sort of behaviour action at this particular time. It's certainly nothing that Papua New Guinea can be proud of.

FOX: Arthur Somare is Sir Michael's son and also an MP.He says his father is taking his disqualification calmly.

Mr Somare says he has advice from the clerk of parliament that Sir Michael has not missed three sittings.

ARTHUR SOMARE: This is an issue that will be challenged; it will be challenged in the courts of Papua New Guinea. We still have the rule of law here, they may not believe it, but I believe it.

FOX: He believes the real motive is an attempt to derail another court case, which is challenging Sir Michael's removal from the Prime Minister's office.
That happened a month ago while the Grand Chief was overseas.

A mass defection of government MPs allowed the opposition to have the PM's office declared vacant, and then vote in Peter O'Neill as the new Prime Minister.

The Speaker played a central role in that drama as well.

It looks as though it'll be left to PNG's Supreme Court to clean up another political mess.

06.09.2011
Source: ESBC Research

Farewell Sir Michael !

"Grand Chief" Sir Michael Somare - the man who demolished

and dismantled his own monument!

06.09.2011
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

Somare loses his seat in PNG parliament
by Eoin Blackwell, AAP Papua New Guinea Correspondent

Sir Michael Somare has been disqualified from Papua New Guinea's parliament just hours after making a dramatic return after a five-month absence.

The 76-year-old former prime minister had arrived back in PNG from Singapore on Sunday to prevent the attempt by the government of Peter O'Neill to unseat him.

Speaker of the house Jeffery Nape ended the 43-year career of PNG's first prime minister, affectionately known as the father of the nation, just before 6pm (AEST) on Tuesday. "It is now my solemn duty to advise you that by operation of Section 104(2) (d) of the constitution your former seat, East Sepik Provincial, is now vacant," Mr Nape said in a statement which he read out in parliament after Sir Michael had left the chamber.

"I have advised the governor-general and the sergeant at arms of the parliament accordingly. I shall announce my decision to the parliament when it next meets."

Mr Nape said Sir Michael did not have leave to be absent from parliament for the five months he was in Singapore recovering from heart surgery.

Under PNG law, a sitting member forfeits their seat if they miss more than three consecutive sittings.

Sir Michael's daughter, Betha Somare, told AAP her father - who until Sunday had been in Singapore recovering from three heart operations - was unavailable for comment.

Sir Michael made a brief appearance in the chamber but was not present when Mr Nape disqualified him.

Dressed in a light grey suit and sitting in a wheelchair, the self titled Grand Chief sat quietly as MPs assembled ahead of the Speaker's address.

He was there for the beginning of the speech, when Mr Nape praised his role in promoting democracy and acknowledged his long service to the nation and to the parliament.

"Sir, I want you to know that through our lives together in parliament and during the period I have known you, I realise that you kept... the tradition of democracy at all times," Mr Nape said.

"Thank you Grand Chief."

Sir Michael raised his hand to speak but said nothing and waved a blue piece of paper before leaving the chamber.

Opposition MPs interrupted Mr Nape's speech, calling out "shame" and "disgrace", as the Speaker justified the August 2 decision to declare the prime ministership vacant, which allowed Peter O'Neill to be elected prime minister.

"You're destroying this country, you're killing this country," opposition MP Nipa Kutubu shouted at Mr Nape.

Also voicing her concern of the constitutionality of the August decision to dump the Somare government was PNG's lone female MP, Queensland-born Dame Carol Kidu.

Treasurer Don Polye responded to the protests, calling on opposition MPs to "shut up and sit down".

Opposition MPs tried to produce a letter from the clerk of parliament that they said showed Sir Michael was still prime minister.

Before parliament began, Sir Michael's son, Arthur Somare, told journalists the clerk's letter showed there was no vacancy in the prime ministership.

Arnold Amet, former attorney-general under the Somare government, urged the Speaker to allow debate after he had finished his speech.

As debate continued, 10 opposition MPs, including Mr Amet, walked out of the chamber.

MPs then went on to discuss other business before Mr Nape resumed his statement on Sir Michael, announcing the disqualification just before parliament adjourned.

Earlier, more than 1000 people gathered outside parliament to voice their support for the government and opposition.

Some held signs urging Sir Michael to resign, while other signs proclaimed Mr O'Neill was a grass roots PM.

The peaceful gathering was watched by a heavy police presence.

06.09.2011
Source: ESBC Research / Bloomberg

Rio Tinto's Palabora Sell-Off Inspires Investors Worldwide!

Rio Tinto's unexpected sale of its asset Palabora Mining Co. (South Africa) seems having fired investor fantasies in Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL). BCL shares soared 10 percent today in Sydney and even 17 percent in Francfurt at 11am local time. Bougainville Copper's fair value is AUD 30 to AUD 40 per share once the Panguna mine is re-opened.

Palabora is producing 80,000 metric tonnes of copper. BCL will produce 510.25 M pounds of copper or 232,000 metric tonnes of copper plus 631,000 ounces of gold worth some USD1.2 billion, silver plus molybdenum. Palabora has a known mile life of 5 years; BCL has 14 years. Palabora is worth USD700 million. BCL is worth some USD400 million.

In so far Bougainville Copper Limitied is actually an extremely undervalued, solid and promising investment !

Rio, Anglo Aim to Sell $700 Million Holding in Copper Producer Palabora
By Jesse Riseborough and Jana Marais

Sep 5, 2011 Rio Tinto Group and Anglo American Plc (AAL), which together own about three-quarters of Palabora Mining Co., said they plan to sell their entire holdings in the South African miner as it no longer fits their investment objectives.

Palabora’s main asset, a mine that produces copper and magnetite, “is no longer of a sufficient scale” for either Rio or Anglo, and a sale process for their stakes has started, the companies said today. Rio holds about 58 percent of Palabora and London-based Anglo almost 17 percent. Their combined holding is valued at about $700 million based on the closing price of Palabora stock in Johannesburg trading today.

The Palabora operation accounted for 8 percent of Rio’s mined copper output in the first half of this year, according to Liberum Capital Ltd. The Phalaborwa, Limpopo province-based company is South Africa’s only producer of refined copper, with output of about 80,000 metric tons annually.

Mining is scheduled to end at Palabora’s operation in early 2016, while a study to extend the mine’s life to 2030 is under way, Rio said. The company, which has been an investor since Palabora Mining was incorporated in 1956, declined to estimate the cost of prolonging the production period, in an e-mailed response to queries.

“Rio Tinto is no longer the natural owner of Palabora due to the limited opportunity to significantly expand copper mining,” Andrew Harding, chief executive officer of Rio’s copper unit, said in a statement.

‘Solid Future’
“We believe Palabora has a solid future under an owner who can develop the magnetite business alongside the existing copper and vermiculite operations,” Harding said.

Palabora Mining’s copper smelter would need investment to ensure it complies with emissions legislation due in 2016. Rio declined to estimate the cost of this, in its e-mailed response to questions.

Palabora has advanced 44 percent in the last 12 months, giving it a market value of 6.74 billion rand ($945 million.) The stock declined 2.3 percent to close at 139.51 rand today. The balance of is shares are held by private investors.

Rio Tinto, the world’s second-largest mining company, fell 5.1 percent to 3,488.5 pence at the close of London trading today. Anglo American dropped 3.6 percent to 2,368.5 pence.

To contact the reporters on this story: Jesse Riseborough in London at jriseborough@bloomberg.net; Jana Marais in Johannesburg at jmarais@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: John Viljoen at jviljoen@bloomberg.net
.

06.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

PM’s chair for O’Neill

THERE is no court order stopping Member for Ialibu-Pangia Peter O’Neill in occupying the Prime Minister’s chair when Parliament resumes at 2pm this afternoon.
Mr O’Neill was elected overwhelmingly as Prime Minister on the floor of Parliament on August 2, 2011, when MP for Wabag Sam Abal was Acting Prime Minster while Sir Michael Somare was away in Singapore on medical leave.
Speaker of Parliament, Jeffery Nape, is expected to formally advise Sir Michael which seat he will occupy when he walks into the chamber at 2 o’clock this afternoon.
On entry, Sir Michael will, for the first time since his hospitalisation in April this year, come face-to-face with his ousters of August 2, 2011.
Normally ushers or the Sergeant-at-Arms advise Members on seating arrangements according to listings from the Speaker’s office.
Minders and staff said on Sir Michael’s arrival from Singapore on Sunday morning, the Chief would attend the sitting of which he himself said was physically able to do.
He said this to dispel questions over his fitness to physically move around and conduct his duties to which he said he was ready to undertake.
This is despite the indifference with his physical appearance which suggest the need for more time to recuperate adequately.
But the sitting is equally critical for both Sir Michael and the new O’Neill-Namah Government because the dispossessed Prime Minister has to physically be present to avoid being absent from the House over three consecutive sittings.
Failure to do so carries the automatic disqualification penalty as a Member of Parliament.
For the new government, it needs an absolute majority to pass its supplementary budget, of which some prior commitments running into the millions have already been made to different sectors.
High on the government’s list of priorities is free education of which an amount of between K600 million and K700 million have already been committed.
National scholarships and student allowances will also be funded under the supplementary budget as announced by Prime Minister, Peter O’Neill, at the University of PNG last week.
The O’Neill-Namah Government is also expected to make the bill on new provinces, Jiwaka and Hela provincial boundaries as priority and debate on the Womens Bill when Parliament resumes this afternoon.

06.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

O’Neill urged to deliver

FORMER Bougainville Affairs Minister and Regional MP for Bougainville Fidelis Semoso has called on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and his Government to deliver on the commitments made to Bougainville.
Mr Semoso specifically asked the government to deliver the first K100 million from the K500 million earmarked for Bougainville in this month’s Supplementary Budget.
“I am calling on the Prime Minister Mr O’Neill, now that he is the PM, to honour the commitment made by the former Somare-Abal Government to deliver the first K100 million in this year’s or this month’s Supplementary Budget,” Mr Semoso said.
He said when the PM was the treasurer, his government then was the architect for these funds for Bougainville. “Now that he is the Prime Minister, he must live up to that commitment that we made to the people of Bougainville and release the first K100 million,” he said.

06.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Weapons supplied by police: Rumours
By GOROTHY KENNETH

THERE are speculations that Bougainville Police are supplying weapons to factions involved in the Konnou issue of south Bougainville.
But Bougainville’s top cop, Assistant Commissioner of Police Thomas Eluh will not have that speculation go by unchecked and unchallenged, for if it is true, someone is getting a kick out of the force.
On Friday, while confirming that the Konnou issue was getting out of hand, an irate Mr Eluh announced that the speculations were being investigated he liked to believe from the outset that there were not true.
“As a believer of true peace, I’d like to believe, this is not true, but we are looking at these speculations,” Mr Eluh said.
Eluh strongly appealed to the people of south Bougainville and the people of the whole of Bougainville to help put their hands together to achieve one common goal and that was to be united to help solve the Konnou issue so that the lives of the people of south Bougainville will not be at stake and for the killings to stop.
He told a press conference that police operations was not the solution for the Konnou area – that Bougainvilleans themselves had the solution, that is why he had appealed strongly for a united Bougainville people and leadership to address the problem at stake.
Mr Eluh also believes that a peace mission from outside may be an answer to the problems in the Konnou area but strongly believes the Bougainvilleans themselves have the answers to the problems faced in that part of the south.
“I want to go into Konnou myself or like to go and meet with Damien Koike myself but I want a concerted effort and understanding from everyone involved and the factions at hand and I want to appeal to all the factions to work together with me,” he said. “I don’t believe the police operation is the solution for the Konnou. Bougainvilleans have the solution.”
He also singled out the issue of the Bougainville Police Service not having the capacity to handle bigger issues like that of Konnou, and take for example the Panguna mine, if re-opened and should ever anything of bigger problems arise – they would not have the capacity to contain it.
“The Konnou issue, if we don’t handle it properly, might cause major problems, we have to find better means. I have written to Damien Koike because I want to talk to him myself and assure him that we want to talk and let him talk about his issues, but I am still waiting for his response,” he said.
Mr Eluh said he was adamant a peaceful solution for the Konnou area would be reached only if everybody was united to tackle the matter.

06.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

K2.4m road opened
By PETERSON TSERAHA and CHRIS BARIA

Yesterday, Minister for Communications and member for central Bougainville, Jimmy Miringtoro attended a ground breaking ceremony for the construction of a road from Oune to Paruparu in the Eivo Torau constituency which he funded at the cost of K2.4 million in the Panguna District.
On arrival at Kounuku village, he was carried on a high chair by the people of Oune and Paruparu who are grateful that the work on the long awaited road was to begin soon.
Showing true partnership and unification with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, he was accompanied by ABG member for Eivo Torau Melchior Dare member for Terra and Deputy Speaker Robin Wilson, Women’s Central member Joan Jerome and member for South Nasioi John Ken. In declaring that the road be open for construction, the Minister said that he had walked the area and had experienced how difficult it was for the people in the area to transport their cocoa and other produce.

06.09.2011
Source: The National

Bougainville, Solomons fight gun smuggling

POLICE in the Solomon Islands and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville have pledged to work together to stop guns being carried across the border.
Years of conflict in both countries has led to a ready supply of small arms. And police say they have
received reports of people moving across the border freely when carrying weapons.
Solomon Islands assistant police commissioner Edward Sikua said both countries were looking to develop strategies to monitor the movement of arms across the border.
“Certainly because of the conflicts on both sides of the border, the issue of arms moving across this border is an issue for both police forces,” he said.
Sikua was in Bougainville earlier this year to hold meetings with his Bougainville counterpart.
He said the movement of guns was not the only issue troubling police.
“There is lots of criminal activity happening along the border and it is in the interests of both forces to
work together to address these activities.
“It is a big concern for us, for all police forces – there are plenty of criminal activities,” he said.

05.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Mining law won’t deter investors: Chan

MINING minister Byron Chan has reassured PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum executive director Greg Anderson that the proposed
amendment to the Mining Act 1992 will not deter investors.
In a brief meeting with Mr Anderson on Friday, Mr Chan said he was looking forward to working with the chamber to see how best they
can fine tune the policy to accommodate all stakeholders.
The Minister, however, said as it is now, the current call for the Act to change is a political one and there is a great need for
consultation by all stakeholders before it is made a policy.
Mr Chan early last month upon taking office as the new mining minister, made a bold policy statement that resource ownership rights
must go back to the people.
He outlined that the O’Neill-amah Government will focus on four key policy Issues that include:
* Recognition and protection of traditional landowner’s right to mineral ownership on or under their traditional land and seabed;
* Urgent review of the mining legal regime;
* Deep-sea mining; and
* Environmental protection.
The ramifications has somewhat made instant ripples on the international scene and what has been described by Mr Anderson as
“extremely naive”.
Mr Chan explained that his statement is principally the same through with greater landowner rights, though the policy would take at
least six months before the “policy changes” be brought to Parliament for debate.
Mr Chan said this would take time to properly assess with other existing policies and an appropriate case study to be done by his
department, MRA and all industry stakeholders to properly substantiate the proposed changes, though until then the “status quo
remains” business as usual.

05.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

There can only be one PM, says O’Neill

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill is adamant that he is the Prime Minister.
He was speaking after returning from the MSG summit in Fiji on Saturday.
“There can only be one Prime Minister in the country and Parliament has made the decision.
“Should he (Sir Michael) wishes to challenge this decision, has to go back to Parliament,” Mr O’Neill told the media in a press
conference upon his return from Fiji.
Like Mr O’Neill, Finance and Treasury Minister Don Polye yesterday said the National Alliance Party has suffered with Sir Michael as
their leader and has decided to move forward.
“He (Sir Michael) is irrelevant to the current scenario. He is yesterday and Papua New Guinea is living in the future, and National
Alliance has had recent changes.
“Wish the Grand Chief all the best as the past as Papua New Guinea moves forward with the current team into the future,” Mr Polye
said.
Mr O’Neill said it is common knowledge that Sir Michael was a citizen of PNG and he was free to go in and out of the country as and
when he wants to.
He said PNG was a democratic country where the freedom of movement, freedom of choice and freedom of association are enjoyed by every
citizen.
“He (Sir Michael) is already in court, his con of family or other people with vested interest are already in court. We respect the
independence of the judiciary and we will wait until they make their decision,” Mr O’Neill said.
Mr Polye said yesterday that the National Alliance thanked the Grand Chief for his leadership in the past and as the new leader, he
would modernise and clean up corruption in the party before it moves into the 2012 national elections.
“I have a duty as the new NA leader to consolidate the Government as a significant player. PNG must progress forward and not dwell in
the past,” Mr Polye said.

05.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Frail, but high spirited Somare says he will fight
By JONATHAN TANNOS

GRAND Chief, Sir Michael Somare, yesterday stepped back on home soil to an emotional and rousing national hero’s welcome looking frail
but highly spirited.
And he will turn up in Parliament on Tuesday afternoon but as to sitting arrangements, he has not yet been formally advised by the
Clerk or Speaker where he will sit.
His return is critical to maintaining his seat by being physically present in Parliament so as not to miss three consecutive sittings
which would have disqualified him as a Member of Parliament.
On arrival, he emphasised respect for the Constitution was paramount and he would await the final verdict of the Supreme Court
reference over his displacement on August 2, 2011 while undergoing medical treatment in Singapore.
He had undergone three heart operations since April. Incidently the father of the nation, as he is affectionately known, arrived home
on Father’s Day.
Sir Michael said he still had the fighting spirit and his medical team say his recovery has been satisfactory.
He said he had been ill for a long time, causing some loss of memory but insisted “I am a fighter and I have made it to work”.
Although a little bit more soft spoken than he normally is, Sir Michael stepped off the Singapore inbound flight just before 9am and
walked through the arrival terminal and into the VIP lounge unaided but with his walking stick.
The international arrival terminal entrance was jammed packed with people from all walks of life and virtually from almost all
provinces in the country loudly hailing his return.
A traditional sing-sing group from his home province of East Sepik also put on a welcome performance.
He was met at the airport by senior bureaucrats, staff, National Alliance party executives, family members and members of his original
Cabinet.
In the VIP lounge, he was met by an emotional Governor General, Michael Ogio, whose flight to East New Britain Province was delayed in
order for him to officially welcome Sir Michael before departing.
Ironically, no member of the O’Neill-Namah Cabinet turned up to meet Sir Michael with the other high ranking officials.
In the VIP lounge, he paused to take a quick rest after the long flight and where he gave a very brief statement to VIPs and officials
in his soft-spoken but still charismatic manner witnessed by the Governor General. “It is us that would destroy this nation and it is
us that would make the nation,” Sir Michael said when emphasising respect for the Constitution.
He said while the nation was on the verge of progress, he warned of tough times ahead as well.
He said having reflected from the outside, there was a need to be accountable and responsible for actions taken which should be
correct and in accordance with the Constitution.
While acknowledging the presence of the Governor General and members of his former cabinet, Sir Michael urged bureaucrats to perform
their normal duties and mainly to uphold the laws of the land. Outside the VIP lounge, he met a delegation of East Sepik leaders and
senior citizens who came to welcome him. He was then whisked away to the arrival entrance to board his official vehicle to be taken to
his home to rest.
His vehicle was swamped by supporters spilling outside the driveway virtually blocking traffic for a while.
On departure his windows were wound down in order for him to wave at the crowd of well wishers. Doctors accompanying him are insisting
he takes as much rest as he can.

05.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

O’Neill: Welcome Sir Michael but ...
By PETER KORUGL

GRAND Chief Sir Michael Somare yesterday returned home to a rousing welcome, but not to his old job as Prime Minister and also leader
of the National Alliance Party.
Sir Michael stepped out of the commercial Air Niugini flight from Singapore, looking frail but declaring to members of his former
cabinet at the VIP lounge that he was a proven fighter and he will win.
“I am a fighter and I will make it work,” Sir Michael said in a soft voice, devoid of the power and force that usually put political
foes in their places.
He was clearly referring to his health but the question remains as to whether he will win the battle to regain his job as Prime
Minister or the leadership of the National Alliance Party, which he has held together for the past nine years.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, when asked on Saturday what Sir Michael’s return means for the political situation, he said: “There can
only be one Prime Minister in the country and Parliament has made the decision. Should he (Sir Michael) wish to challenge this
decision, he has to go back to Parliament,” Mr O’Neill told the media in a press conference upon his return from Fiji on Saturday.
Like Mr O’Neill, Finance and Treasury Minister Don Polye said the National Alliance Party has suffered under Sir Michael as leader and
NA has decided to move on.
“He (Sir Michael) is irrelevant to the current scenario. He is yesterday and Papua New Guinea is living in the future, and National
Alliance has had recent changes,’’ Mr Polye said.
“Welcome Sir Michael, but we need to move on,” Mr O’Neill said.
“Wish the Grand Chief all the best as the past as Papua New Guinea moves forward with the current team into the future,” Mr Polye
said.
Mr O’Neill said it is common knowledge that Sir Michael was a citizen of PNG and he was free to go in and out of the country as and
when he wants to.
He said PNG was a democratic country where the freedom of movement, freedom of choice and freedom of association are enjoyed by every
citizen.
“He (Sir Michael) is already in court, his con of family or other people with vested interest are already in court. We respect the
independence of the judiciary and we will wait until they make their decision,” Mr O’Neill said.
Mr Polye said yesterday that the National Alliance thanked the Grand Chief for his leadership in the past and as the new leader, he
would modernise and clean up corruption in the party before it moves into the 2012 national elections.
“I have a duty as the new leader of NA to consolidate the O’Neill/Nama Government as a significant player. PNG must progress forward
and not dwell in the past,” Mr Polye said.

05.09.2011
Source: The National

Somare’s bill put at K3.7m

THE state has paid K3.7 million to keep Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare in Singapore’s Raffles Hospital and for related costs.

The actual hospital bill is less than K1 million but travel and accommodation expenses and sustenance allowances for his family, minders and visitors blew up the amount to K3,718,981.82. An amount of K67,703.52 was still outstanding as of Aug 29.

The ESBC understand that the Somare family and friends enjoyed a splendid holiday in Singapore for more than K 2,7 m which represents 856.000 Euro or AU$ 1,116 !!!

All the expenses was borne by the Prime Minister’s Department, which does not have any allowances within its budget for the medical expenses of the prime minister, deputy prime minister and other ministers of government, department sources said.
Sources also said Prime Minister Peter O’Neill had directed his department to transfer all future expenses to parliament and to have parliament reimburse the department’s expenses so far.
At any time, there had always been three security officers (ESBC: Three secutity officers for a private stay in one of the safest countries of the world?!? Normally the state of Singapore provides sufficient security for all foreign statesmen who stay in Singapore! ) and a protocol officer in attendance at the hospital as well as Lady Veronica, press secretary and daughter Betha Somare and personal assistant Seki Karingal. All their expenses were met by the department.
This came to light as the Grand Chief jetted in on an Air Niugini commercial flight from Singapore yesterday morning to an emotional welcome at the Jackson International Airport.
It was important that Sir Michael was in the country to attend tomorrow’s sitting of parliament. To miss it would mean his third consecutive absence, rendering Sir Michael an automatic disqualification as the regional parliamentary representative of East Sepik.
The Grand Chief spoke briefly upon his arrival yesterday, looking frail but walking without assistance.
Scores of people, including Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio, who broke with protocol to be present personally to meet Sir Michael, wept openly when they saw the former prime minister who had been in a Singapore hospital for the past four months.
Sir Michael greeted the airport crowd and spoke briefly on health care, clearly avoiding the events of Aug 2 and the election of O’Neill as prime minister.
“The days ahead of us are tough but I am one of those who have proven to be a fighter and to make things work,” Sir Michael said.
A strategy meeting is expected to be held by the Somare camp today for tomorrow’s parliament meeting.
The topic of where Sir Michael would sit would feature prominently with expectations that he would attempt to occupy the prime minister’s chair.

05.09.2011
Source: The National

Dreams, hopes turn to nightmares

IT is likely that when Papua New Guineans read the WikiLeaks reports below, they will be incensed.
They are likely to respond by telling the United States and Australia, and everybody else, to go “jump” and to stop “meddling” in the affairs of small nations like Papua New Guinea.
That emotional reaction is to be expected but let us take a more rational view.
Let us take a dispassionate look at Papua New Guinea from a distance, to view ourselves through the eyes of others.
To say it does not have problems is unrealistic, but, is it a “failing” or “failed state” as Australians view PNG or a “totally dysfunctional blob” like the United States views it?
With its 36th Independence just two weeks off, does Papua New Guinea measure up?
At Independence, all the conditions were set for a purposeful drive down the middle of Development Boulevard towards a prosperous and industrial nation status.
The dream set out in five noble goals in the National Goals and Directive Principles were clear, persuasive and free of nightmares. The nightmares, when they did come, tragically were in the real world.
Within a mere 12 months, the dream was given a shocking dose of reality. One province – North Solomons – threatened secession and, to keep the year-old union of hundreds of tribal nations together, PNG was lumped with a provincial government system it was not prepared for and which has not worked for it in all its 36 years.
In a couple more years, leadership squabbles divided the once-united house and the nemesis of all prime ministers – the infamous motion of no-confidence – was introduced and ran riot for a full two decades.
The focus on development shifted as different ideas and differing priorities emerged about the way to bring it about.
The political instability manifested itself in many ways upon the young nation. PNG’s mineral and petroleum wealth was mined or pumped out but the proceeds were not flowing into renewable and sustainable industries such as agriculture.
Forest resources were and continue to be depleted at a faster rate than the nation’s ability to re-grow them. The sea and river systems are teeming with fisheries and other marine resources but are being stolen and the nation sits helpless to fend off the thieving fleets.
A full-scale insurrection ravaged one province, North Solomons, for a decade and a half.
The “unity in diversity” phrase, so proudly asserted at Independence, in reality, has become so that the more fitting description today would be that there would be “unity but for diversity”.
The various regions and tribes have shown a singular reluctance to sacrifice their independence for the greater good of the nation.
Despite huge mineral and hydrocarbon resources, Papua New Guinea depends far more on international trade for consumables and upon aid from off-shore for its development efforts than on its own resources and efforts. This is tragic.
Public debt levels far exceed the nation’s ability to repay on reasonable terms. Fiscal deficits each year are very high driven to such outlandish levels by high public expenditure, all too often over and above budgeted levels. These drives up inflation so that a population starved of cash in the rural sector watches helplessly as prices soar beyond their ability to even pay for the most basic needs.
The public service has grown too fat while its will and ability to deliver services have grown too thin.
The number of unemployed people is growing with the education system pushing out some 50,000 new graduates each year but there are jobs available each year for less than 10,000. This will now increase ten-fold with the universal primary education and the free education policy.
Infrastructure nationwide is very poor. Poorer still has been the will and desire to maintain what little infrastructure exists.
Lawlessness, graft, corruption, and drugs and arms smuggling are growing at a healthy rate but law enforcement is malnourished and chronically ill. Multinational crime has sown its seeds here and terrorism is at PNG’s doorsteps.
Why has a set of beautiful plans, dreams and hopes turned into a living nightmare?
What has gone wrong along the way?
The reasons are many but principal among them is the issue of good governance, leadership and management.

05.09.2011
Source: Radio New Zealand International

Somare returns to PNG after five months in Singapore

Papua New Guinea’s veteran politician, Sir Michael Somare, has returned to Port Moresby after spending five months in Singapore for medical reasons.

Sir Michael returned for tomorrow’s session of parliament to avoid being disqualified as an MP for missing three consecutive sittings.

Last week, he issued a statement declaring he was still the prime minister and intended completing his term.

A month ago, Sir Michael was controversially replaced by Peter O’Neill after a parliamentary vote declared the prime minister’s office was vacant.

The legality of the action is being challenged in the courts.

04.09.2011
Source: The Courier

PNG exposed as 'dysfunctional blob'
by PHILIP DORLING

PAPUA NEW GUINEA is trapped in ''Ponzi politics'' being practised by deeply corrupt politicians who have enriched themselves on resource revenue and Australian aid , according to US diplomatic reports.

Australian government officials are reported as saying generational change in PNG politics following the departure of founding father and former prime minister Sir Michael Somare was a ''false hope'', and the PNG government was a ''totally dysfunctional blob''.

The damning assessments of political and economic life in Australia's nearest neighbour are contained in confidential US embassy cables leaked to WikiLeaks.

In a November 2008 briefing, the US embassy in Port Moresby noted that resource revenues and Australian aid have served ''more to enrich the political elite than to provide social services or infrastructure. There are no large-scale local businessmen, but numerous politicians are relatively well off.''

PNG is Australia's largest recipient of foreign aid and in 2011-12 will receive more than $480 million from the country.

Anxious to avoid diplomatic offence, Australian government ministers and officials rarely talk openly about corruption and maladministration in PNG, preferring to speak of ''strengthening governance'' and helping ''institution building''.

However, the leaked cables from the US embassy in Port Moresby provide grim assessments of PNG's chaotic political system and failing public administration. In May 2007, in a cable titled ''Ponzi politics'', the US embassy presented a damning pen picture of PNG politics.

''Steeped in traditional magic and innocent of modern economies, PNG's citizens prove easy marks for Ponzi schemes which proliferate throughout the country,'' the embassy said. ''Now it's election time … and the politicians are dusting off their bottles of snake oil. Viewed from afar, or from a national perspective, it's an appalling spectacle of disregard for governance.''

It went on: ''If all politics is local, politics in PNG - with 830 languages, myriad cultures and thousands of clans - is Tip O'Neil (sic) on steroids … Though this government, and the current crop of leaders on the national scene, have presided over a steady, nationwide deterioration of services - closure of health centres and schools, collapse of effective policing and a steady rise in violent crime - little mention of this can be expected during the campaign to come.''

In the run up to the 2007 election, the US embassy reported that ''the pork has hit the fan'' as Sir Michael reallocated ministerial portfolios. One promoted minister was described as ''the government's chief bagman for the corrupt forestry industry''. A former health minister was ''mostly remembered for his insistence that he was just a politician and therefore could not be held responsible for the fact that the country's hospitals had run out of medicines while his ministry was still flush with cash''.

The report gave a damning judgment on the Somare administration's commitment to law and order: ''The single most pressing problem facing PNG is the almost total collapse of the police force. So it is doubly disappointing that the effective [Police Minister Bire] Kimisopa was pushed aside. The portfolio has little control over expenditure. But his focus likely discomforted Somare and his cronies for the same reasons they worked to scuttle a large-scale Australian package which threatened to dramatically improve police performance.''

The leaked US cables are ambiguous about Sir Michael's financial interests and their effect on political decisions and public policy. However, they noted a ''strange'' shift in PNG government policy that potentially increased its financial exposure in legal action being taken by Bougainville residents against company Bougainville Copper. ''Given the way things are done here, the general suspicion is that PM Somare has been given a financial incentive to reverse the previous government's position on the case. Certainly, it would be very typical of Melanesia if what the government saw as in its nation's interest also redounded to the individual benefit of its leadership. It is worthy of note that Paul Nero (sic, Nerau), a plaintiff and the current PNG [consul-general] in Brisbane, is very much a Somare man.''

The US cables confirm that, privately, Australian officials have no illusions about the state of the PNG government. After a mid-2007 discussion on political and economic developments with Australian high commission staff in Port Moresby, the US embassy reported: ''One Australian analyst described generational change as a 'false hope', while other Australian officers described the PNG public service as a 'totally dysfunctional blob' that is great at planning but appalling at implementation.''

Speaking to the US embassy in September 2009, the then opposition leader and former prime minister Sir Mekere Morauta lamented the collapse of effective government decision-making.

''AusAID is out of control,'' he said. ''I don't mean that Australia is being naughty. What I mean is that, out of desperation over lack of government direction, they are funding projects of their own choosing. The government cannot truly be said to be in charge of how and where foreign assistance is spent.''

However, as an example of poorly planned Australian assistance, Sir Mekere cited money spent on infrastructure projects such as road-building, new schools and hospitals.

''Our problem is not a need for new infrastructure. At this point, we cannot even maintain the infrastructure we have.''

Following a long illness Sir Michael was removed from office, though he is still protesting that his ousting has been illegal. Peter O'Neill, who had served as treasurer in the Somare government, was elected Prime Minister by a parliamentary vote on August 2. He has declared his desire to ''restore open, honest governance''.

02.09.2011
Source: Scoop

Senior Officials to Meet on Women, Peace and Security at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting

[Auckland, September 2] In the Pacific, despite women’s leadership in peace building, organizing dialogue, providing inputs to defence reviews, mediating between conflicting parties, ending violence against women and defending human rights, women’s participation in peacebuilding is still a matter for debate. Women struggle to be heard and are not given sufficient recognition and resources to up-scale their work.

However, there has been significant groundwork at the regional and national level that has created an opportunity and momentum to strengthen regional efforts and stimulate national action.

Pacific government officials, non government organisations and development partners will meet in Auckland at a side event at the 42nd Pacific Islands Forum Leaders meeting to provide advice and offer guidance on the development of a Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. The Regional Action Plan will provide a broad framework to assist Pacific Island Countries to develop relevant national programmes and strategies on women, peace and security and to accelerate implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325.
Deputy Director General of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community Fekita ‘Utoikamanu and co-chair of the Pacific Regional Working Group on Women, Peace and Security will speak about the relevance and necessity of involving women in peace and security decision making. Co-chair, Sharon Bhagwan-Rolls, Executive Director, FemLINKPACIFIC will present on the establishment of a regional media and policy network on the UN Security Council’s Resolution 1325. The UN SCR 1325 is the first resolution ever passed by the UN Security Council that specifically addresses the impact of war on women, and women's contributions to conflict prevention and sustainable peace.

Tracy Vienings, Senior Adviser and Team Leader of the Crisis Prevention and Recovery Unit at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pacific Centre will present the strategy on developing a Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

Joy Kere, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace in Solomon Islands will explain how the Regional Action Plan is linked with national initiatives, and share the experience of her country in developing a National Action Plan. Minister Rose Pihei, Autonomous Bougainville Government, (via audio recording) and Helen Hakena, Executive Director, Leitana Nehan Women’s Development Agency and Member of Asia-Pacific High Level Advisory Group on 1325, will share their experiences on similar efforts in the Autonomous Bougainville Region, Papua New Guinea.

The side event is a key part of the strategy to develop the Regional Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security by seeking inputs from senior officials on content and process and preparing the ground for country level initiatives in 2012 – 2013. It is organised by Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat with assistance from UNDP Pacific Centre as secretariat of the Pacific Regional Working Group on Women, Peace and Security.

02.09.2011
Source: ABC Radio Australia - Pacific Beat

Sir Michael Somare declares he's still PNG Prime Minister

Papua New Guinea's founding father Sir Michaeal Somare is own his way home from Singapore where he's been recovering from heart surgery over the past few months.

Sir Michael says he's still the country's Prime Minister and intends turning up to parliament on Tuesday. That's despite Peter O'Neill, once a finance minister in the Somare government, being promoted to the top job last month by a majority vote of parliament after the prime ministership was declared vacant. The Supreme Court is expected to hand down its verdict later this month on whether Mr O'Neill's appointment was unconstitutional. Sir Micheal who arrives home at the weekend says he's been forced to return to ensure that he's parliamentary seat of East Sepik is not declared vacant because of his absence.

His son, Arthur, also an MP has welcomed his father's return but repeated his desire for his father to retire.

Presenter:Claudette Werden
Speakers: Arthur Somare, PNG MP

Listen here !

SOMARE: We've essentially been forced by O'Neill/Nama government to bring him back to Papua New Guinea, otherwise as I say there would be a vacancy in his East Sepik regional seat.

WERDEN: But I understand you had already announced his retirement when he was ill and you actually still want him to retire.

SOMARE: Absolutely and I made it clear to the press conference at the time that my public expression and my family's desire to have this public expression that Sir Michael, my father, at the age of 75 was coming to a period and because of his health, we wanted him to retire that's absolutely correct. But that does not give anyone the authority to push him out or to retire him, essentially he has to resign from office and I still want that to happen because of his health condition and because of his age as well, there is no issue there.

WERDEN: I understand he considers himself to still be the leader of PNG, do you agree with him as well?

SOMARE: He's taken a few, he's been silent for a period of time, for 4 months and within that 4 month period on August the 2nd, a vote in the parliament which is now the subject of a Supreme Court reference, was taken by Peter O'Neill who calls himself the Prime Minister. The question is before the Supreme Court, they'll determine that particular matter. But as I said, Sir Michael has been silent for 4 months and has come out and made a statement that he believes himself to still be the legitimate Prime Minister. My contention is that the primary question of whether or not the O'Neill/Nama government was constitutionally formed and legitimate, is a question for the Supreme Court, they will answer that in a short period of time and they'll determine whether or not Sir Michael is the Prime Minister or Mr O'Neill is the Prime Minister. But I have sufficient doubts in my mind that the government was constitutionally formed, that it is legitimate and as such I support the section 19 reference.

WERDEN: But given the fact that as you say, he's 75, he's recovering from heart surgery are you confident that he is healthy enough to return to lead the country?

SOMARE: I think I have made my views quite clear, I am desirous that my father will retire and retire shortly, that he will not be pushed out, that he will take that decision at his own will, in his own free time.

WERDEN: So this issue is about him doing it on his terms?

SOMARE: No ma'am, it's not about that at all, this whole issue is about the constitution of PNG, the laws of PNG which I believe have been breached.

02.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Bogus firms on the rise in ARB

BOUGAINVILLE is now faced with another major problem.
Some foreign companies are entering the region proposing to set up businesses with bogus sections and allotments detailed in their registration applications from the PNG Investment Promotion Authority.
The Post-Courier is in possession of at least three applications for business certification and registrations by specifically Chinese companies to IPA, proposing to operate businesses on locations that have Bougainvillean businesses already set up and in full operation.
The Autonomous Bougainville Government, Commerce Division was approached since last month for verification of these foreign businesses, but had refused to respond and comment. The IPA office confirmed there were businesses with confusing addresses but they were still being verified.
One business company, (named), venturing in freezer wholesaling, has put down a section and allotment belonging to a mainland Bougainvillean, who is already operating his business.
Two other Chinese companies have also put down locations where businesses have already been set up by Bougainvilleans in Buka town.
Two Chinese companies have Section 6, Allotment 16 as their proposed operating location.
This location belongs to a local business entity, a Bougainvillean businesswoman operating her haus kai and guest house and freezer company.
But this location also accommodates an ABG Political Party that is very much aligned to the current Momis-Nisira led government.
The companies have all Chinese as directors and shareholders who are based in Port Moresby, China and Madang, depicting ABG’s policies on joint venture partnership.
The Bougainville Business Association has raised serious concerns over the issue but has not made any comment because it wants to verify the information before making statements and appropriate recommendations.
The Chinese Embassy was contacted but advised this newspaper that the issue was strictly a private arrangement with the ABG and the companies involved and that they had no input in it.
But the Embassy office executives appealed to these Chinese companies to abide by the ABG laws including that of the PNG Government.
ABG President’s office was contacted for comment but numerious attempts to get through him failed.

02.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Chan explains developer’s wealth

MOST resource owners in the country must be made aware that for so long considerable wealth has been siphoned through public equities and not from the actual sale of minerals.
They are misled to believe that resource developers make millions of kina through the sale of commodities such as gold, copper, silver and nickel.
Mining Minister Byron Chan highlighted this during his first ministerial visit to the landowners and company executives of multi-million kina Lihir and Simberi mines. “Most of us have little knowledge about the way resource developers make money. We’ve been led to believe that their benefit comes from the sale of gold, copper, silver, nickel and carbon energy.
“But since taking office I have come to learn that significant wealth is accumulated in the public equities that are bought, sold, and traded on international stock exchanges using our resources. Company stocks soar on news of the granting of exploration and mining licenses and, to date, no party in Papua New Guinea has seen any tangible benefit,” he said.
Mr Chan who is also the Member for Namatanai, the richest electorate in Papua New Guinea that houses the world class mines in its backyard such as Lihir, Simberi and Nautilus wants to see new changes for resource owners and the nation at large.
He also would like to see more dialogue between mining companies and industry partners to fully understand clearly the motive behind his proposed amendments to the Mining Act 1992.
The minister raised this concern after learning that both foreign and local commentators in the media misunderstood the nature of his move and what it meant for resource owners in Papua New Guinea.
He reiterated that the O’Neill /Namah Government will focus on four key policy Issues that include:
- Recognition and protection of traditional landowner’s right to mineral ownership on or under their traditional land and seabed;
- Urgent review of the mining legal regime;
- Deep-sea mining and
- Environmental protection.
The minister noted the four policy directions would take time to be properly assessed with other existing policies and an appropriate case study will be done by the mining department and MRA and local and international advisors and consultations with all industry stakeholders to properly substantiate the proposed changes.
The policy would take at least six months before the “policy changes” be brought to Parliament for debate.

01.09.2011
Source: PNG Industry News

Chan’s mixed messages
by Blair Price

MINING Minister Byron Chan has attempted to downplay the impacts of his proposal to hand over national government control of resources to community landowner groups.

Chan’s comments during a recent tour to Allied Gold’s Simberi mine in Papua New Guinea, as reported by a PNG newspaper, did not seem entirely reassuring for the mining industry.

“Let me assure the business community and especially the mining industry in the country that there will be no immediate policy changes to the existing laws until proper case study and wide consultation with the industry and relevant stakeholders is carried out,” Chan said, according to the Post-Courier.

“I must stress also that this is not a deliberate attempt to discredit any mining firm or developer in the country. In fact there’s nothing new.

“All I’m saying is for developers to recognise resource owners as custodians of their own land in the proposed policy.”

Yet he also reportedly said that developers who could not live up to his policy should not waste their time and “pack and move” to allow other investors in who “respect resource owner rights”.

“I’d like to clear the air on land ownership rights, which is the bigger issue raised here and abroad by respective mining commentators and relative industries,” Chan enigmatically told the newspaper.

PNG Chamber of Mines and Petroleum executive director Greg Anderson has already labelled Chan’s ideas as “extremely naive”.

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill is the only member of the government to publicly voice any concerns. O’Neill has said Chan’s proposals were not policy yet and cabinet was yet to discuss them.

A government source has previously told PNGIndustryNews.net he did not think Chan’s proposed changes would happen or get through cabinet.

JP Morgan analysts doubt that PNG’s parliament will approve it and believe the amendments to existing resources legislation will require 75% support of the 109-seat parliament.

“Given what is at stake for PNG's economic future, we think it is highly unlikely to jeopardise its investment reputation by introducing such legislation,” JP Morgan said.

Comments in the blogosphere also indicate that some PNG nationals are not enthusiastic about the possibility of national resources being used to benefit small communities as opposed to all of the people of PNG.

01.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Panguna LOs disappointed

PANGUNA Landowners Association executives have expressed their disappointment on how both the National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government leaders are handling their mine issues.
Interim chairman Chris Damana, interim deputy chairman Michael Pariu and interim secretary Lawrence Daveona have lashed out at the way in which they are not being assisted despite so many calls by both the National Government and ABG Members of Parliament to open the Panguna mine. They also lashed out at the BCL for not helping them.
Up to this day, the following commitments have not been fulfilled:
* THE former Minister for Bougainville Affairs, Fidelis Semoso, K240,000 since November 2010;
* ABG, vice president, Patrick Nisira K300,000 since February of this year;
* Member for Central now Minister for Communication, Jimmy Miringtoro K400,000 since February of this year.
* Member for South Bougainville and now Minister for Bougainville Affairs, Steven Kamma Pirika K400,000 (Promised on his behalf by Fidelis Semoso in Arawa since February this year).
“Panguna landowners and their people must not be used by Members of both Parliaments for their own self glorification and political interest,” the leaders said.
“Our people have suffered enough. You have seen fit to entertain ex-combatants with K5 million and from what we know, ABG has assisted us with K76,000 during James Tanis’ time for the two reconciliations, one in Guava and the other in Pakia for Pinei Valley. “We still have our programmed reconciliations for the Lower Tailings, Upper Tailings and Kupe Valley.
“BCL too is of no help at all. It has tied up our Social Inconvenience Compensation Payment (SIC) with ABG as if ABG was a signatory to our 1986 Supplementary Agreement. For all we know, ABG is a new entity and a bi-product of Bougainville Peace Agreement and BCL has got no right at all to keep our people chained to this new entity. It should abide by our agreement and have the funds released to us so that PLOA can stop begging ABG which is cash strapped. “The landowners have been blamed for the Bougainville crisis which has caused untold sorrow and suffering to many. The PNG economy plundered from the good old days of Bougainville Copper Limited’s mine operations,” they said.

01.09.2011
Source: Post-Courier

Buka stages forum

SHOPS in Buka were literally closed half of the morning because of a forum staged in Buka for leaders of the Autonomous Bougainville Government to respond to questions raised on the protection of local small business holders in the region.
Malasang Women’s Group, led by former ABG deputy speaker Francesca Semoso arranged a forum for the leaders both National Parliament and ABG so that they could explain to them what policies were in place and what the leaders were doing to protect the interest of Bougainvilleans who were sweating to make their living with trade stores, wholesaling, retailing, Kaibar and selling of goods in Buka town.
ABG president John Momis, his vice Patrick Nisira and their cabinet talked to the people of Bougainville who were present at the Bel Isi Park yesterday. Mr Momis spoke of the importance of foreign investment in Bougainville to boost the economy of the newly established region. He also spoke of the arrangements the ABG is now engaged in to bring a wholesaler from Japan so Bougainville trade store owners will not have to go to Rabaul for goods.

The European Shareholders of Bougainville Copper (ESBC)
info@bougainville-copper.eu