SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WELCOME SIGNING OF LOLOATA UNDERSTANDING BY PAPUA NEW GUINEA GOVERNMENT AND BOUGAINVILLE LEADERS

Press Release
SC/6837

SECURITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WELCOME SIGNING OF LOLOATA UNDERSTANDING BY PAPUA NEW GUINEA GOVERNMENT AND BOUGAINVILLE LEADERS

Following is the text of a statement to the press made today by Anwarul Karim Chowdhury (Bangladesh), President of the Security Council, on Bougainville, Papua New Guinea:

Members of the Security Council heard a briefing by Assistant-Secretary- General Danilo Türk on the political developments in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea.

Members of the Council welcomed the signing of the Loloata Understanding by the Papua New Guinea Government and Bougainville leaders. They underlined the importance of expeditious approval of the Papua New Guinea Parliament of the Understanding.

Members of the Council expressed appreciation for the role played by Ambassador Noel Sinclair, Director of the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville, in the process.

Members of the Council considered this Understanding an important step forward towards a peaceful settlement of the issues relating to Bougainville, in accordance with the Lincoln Agreement.

Members of the Council also supported the helpful role that the United Nations can play in the talks, as acknowledged in the Understanding.

Members of the Council reiterated their commitment to support fully the Bougainville peace process.

Members of the Council encouraged the parties to continue on this path of dialogue in a spirit of cooperation and understanding.

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