SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES DISPATCH OF REGIONAL TRANSITION TEAM TO BOUGAINVILLE

SECRETARY-GENERAL WELCOMES DISPATCH OF REGIONAL TRANSITION TEAM TO BOUGAINVILLE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General welcomes the decision of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu to dispatch a small civilian transition team to Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, after the Bougainville Peace Monitoring Group leaves the island on 30 June.  He is pleased that the transition team will continue to provide logistical and operational support to the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville.  This decision demonstrates the continuing commitment of the countries in the region to support the desire of the people of Papua New Guinea, including Bougainville, for a peaceful and prosperous future.

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