PRESS STATEMENT ON BOUGAINVILLE BY PRESIDENT OF SECURITY COUNCIL

Following is today’s press statement on Bougainville by the President of the Security Council, Sergey Lavrov (Russian Federation):

Members of the Security Council heard a briefing from Ambassador Noel Sinclair [head of the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville] on Bougainville, Papua New Guinea.

They recalled that the Bougainville Peace Agreement, signed on 30 August 2001, has three pillars:  autonomy, a referendum, and a weapons-disposal plan.

Members of the Security Council have previously encouraged the parties to implement these provisions as soon as possible in order to achieve a definitive settlement of the conflict.

Members of the Security Council welcomed the 27 March actions of the Parliament of Papua New Guinea, which gave legal effect to the bills implementing the Peace Agreement.

They also noted with appreciation the important role played by the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville and by the Peace Monitoring Group.

Members of the Security Council called upon all the parties to redouble efforts aimed at the removal of weapons from Bougainville communities, which is crucial for the process of post-conflict rehabilitation and peace-building with the assistance of the Papua New Guinea Government.  The success of the weapons-collection efforts, which should continue without interruption in spite of the ongoing electoral campaign, would make it possible for the international community to provide the necessary economic assistance.

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