Bougainville Vice President and Minister responsible for the Bougainville Independence Mission, Ezekiel Masatt, has accused Papua New Guinea parliamentarians of debating Bougainville’s ratification process without understanding key negotiations still underway between the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) and the National Government.
In a strongly worded statement, Masatt questioned whether the National Government was attempting to shift discussions on the Bipartisan Committee Report into a ratification debate before critical consultation processes had been completed.
“I hope it wasn’t a National Government strategy to turn the Bipartisan Committee Report session into a Ratification session like what happened in Parliament Tuesday.
“It was foolish and premature,” he said.
Masatt argued that the ratification issue cannot yet be brought before Parliament because several agreed processes remain incomplete.
He said the Ratification matter can only be brought to Parliament:
1. By the Minister for Bougainville Affairs and nobody else.
2. After the Melanesian Agreement has concluded.
3. The Melanesian Agreement is part of the Post Referendum Consultations Report.
4. And the Technical Teams must finish crafting the Post Referendum Consultations Report.”
Masatt said neither the Melanesian Agreement nor the Post Referendum Consultations Report had been finalised.
“The Melanesian Agreement has not been concluded and the Post Referendum Consultations Report hasn’t been finalised.”
Masatt claimed members of Parliament who contributed to the debate did so without access to the details of ongoing negotiations.
“Every member who spoke Tuesday spoke with ignorance, because they are not privy to the Agreed Outcomes of the Melanesian Agreement.”
He said both the ABG and the National Government were aware of discussions taking place but no agreement had yet been reached on key areas of difference.
“ABG and the National Government are aware of what is discussed at the table but as far as I know, whilst the Melanesian Agreement talks are going well there hasn’t been any agreements reached on the differing positions,” he said.
Masatt questioned what signal the parliamentary debate was intended to send.
“What is the message the National Government wish to portray? That there is no need to conclude the Melanesian Agreement talks and the Post Referendum Consultations Report?”
He warned that Bougainville could reconsider its participation in the current process if the National Government no longer supported it.
“The ABG stands ready to abandon the Melanesian Agreement if the National Government so wishes and look at other available options,” he emphasised.
Masatt also responded to criticism directed at Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama and himself by PNG Tourism Minister Belden Nama.
“Two things about Minister Belden Nama’s below-the-belt name calling of the President and myself:
“The President and myself are not members of the National Parliament. If we were we would have given it back to him,” he stressed.
He also challenged Nama’s claims regarding his role during the Bougainville conflict.
“He repeatedly calls himself a hero because of the Sandline affair and having saved 300,000 Bougainville lives. He is not.
He was not sent to Bougainville as a soldier, on a Peace Mission. He was sent to kill, amongst other things. He can disclose how many lives he took on Bougainville,” said Masatt.
Masatt praised President Toroama’s role in Bougainville’s history.
“President Ishmael Toroama is the true hero.”
“Record shows Nama was convicted for mutiny of all things,” he further noted.
Masatt urged national leaders to fully understand the issues before any future vote on Bougainville’s political future.
“When the Melanesian Agreement is concluded and the Post Referendum Consultations Report is done up, I hope National members read up and understand the issues and options then they can vote,” he said.
Chairman of the Bipartisan Parliamentary Committee on Bougainville Affairs, Dr Allan Marat, presented the Report on the nationwide public consultation regarding the Bougainville Referendum in PNG Parliament Tuesday.
This report is a significant step in fulfilling Parliament’s ongoing responsibilities under the Bougainville Peace Agreement and the Constitution of Papua New Guinea.
The nationwide consultations were designed to gather a comprehensive understanding of the perspectives and sentiments of the Bougainvillean people concerning their future governance and potential independence.
