Bougainville is not new to New Zealand’s former Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae as he has “skill in the game” when he takes on the moderator role.
Sir Jerry said he is honoured to take up the moderator role in Bougainville’s referendum.
He has now been brought to facilitate the dialogue as PNG and Bougainville hit a snag and at loggerheads over certain aspects of the independence issue.
He had worked in Bougainville in 1997 as the truce monitoring commander extensively providing support for peace on the island.
With that background in commanding international troops in peace keeping mission in Bougainville before the Peace Agreement (BPA) in 2001, it is said Sir Jerry has “skill in the game” when he takes on the role.
At a press conference with Prime Minister James Marape and Bougainville President Ishmael Toroama in Port Moresby, Sir Jerry was vocal.
“It is a deep, deep honour and the privilege that I have in being the moderator.
“I do have a history with Papua New Guinea and also Bougainville,” he said.
“So, I’m absolutely delighted to be able to make a contribution in the best interests of the parties,” he said.
