Location

Bougainville Island Origins of the conflict

History 1899 Britain ceded power to Germany in exchange for Western Samoa. Ethnic and cultural links to Solomons were ignored. So was 600 mile gap between island and New Guinea mainland colony of Papua handed over to Australia German controlled territory became United Nations Trust Territory administered by Australia.

The Copper Mine 1960s copper discovered 1965 onwards conflict: villagers, landowners and geologists.(Rio Tinto ) 1968 Munkas (black skins formed)..secession Australian High Court (7 judges) dismissed claims by islanders for compensation open-cast mining began at Panguna.

Oppression Regrettable incident Australia’s colonial administration. Riot Police using bulldozers and tear gas forcibly expelled women and children from land required for the mining township and port facilites.

March to Independence

Loss of trust 1973 Bougainville Copper agreement renegotiated. Key element never took place. 7 year re-negotiation allowing for changes Period of unrest. Several declarations of independence. Too important for New Guinea revenue Independence

Violence breaks out Francis Ona, ex-mine employee Formed PLA :Panguna Landowners Assoc Number of claims Compensation for impacts of mining 50% ownership Transfer of ownership to Bougainville Govt dismissed claims. Bougainville revolutionary army (BRA) set up sabotaged mine’s power supply unrest resulted in mine closure. Blockade, then anarchy 1997 ceasefire facilitated by NZ Govt.

Sam Sirivi: A refugee speaks Sam described what happened next. "Because there wasn't a name under which Francis Ona and the group operated, the media and the PNG government referred to this group as militant land owners, rascals, criminals, Rambos, thugs, hooligans, trouble makers and rebels. To Bougainvilleans these young men were brave heroes. Quite frankly they had no assault weapons and were not prepared for any major offensive from the PNG military. However, they all had determination and confidence in the cause they had undertaken. They had their terrain and the environment to their advantage."

Human Rights abuses Bougainvillean against Bougainvillean Some 20,000 of 120,000 people lost their lives 2001 Agreement : some autonomy to people of Bougainville.