Senator Scott Ludlam
Rio Tinto must reveal the full extent of its involvement in the Bougainville war in the wake of revelations Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister has given evidence under oath on the decisive role of the company’s subsidiary in the conflict.
The Australian Government must also explain its own role in the war, and what it knew about the role of Rio Tinto subsidiary Bougainville Copper Limited in the conflict that claimed 15,000 lives.
“The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Michael Somare, while Leader of the Opposition in 2001, stated in a sworn affidavit that BCL was the driving force behind the military action in Bougainville, and the blockade of the island, to re-open the copper mine. His view has been backed by the former head of PNG defence Major General Jerry Singirok. In light of these revelations, as BCL’s parent company, Rio Tinto must come clean on Bougainville”.
Prime Minister Somare’s evidence is part of an on-going class action in the US against Rio Tinto which began in 2001, brought by victims of the conflict.
“Mr Somare has said under oath that Rio Tinto demanded the blockade of Bougainville and military action, and that BCL provided helicopters, transport, fuel, barracks and pilots for the PNG Government’s war against the Bougainville rebels. If this is found to be true, will Rio Tinto compensate the victims of this war? And what was the involvement of our own Government in this?”
The Bougainville copper mine provided the PNG Government with about 20 percent of its revenue, giving the company enormous power, while the Bougainville locals’ gain from the mine was a derisory amount of income and a ruined environment. This exploitation lead to local resistance and the PNG government responded with a brutal crack-down.
“This war drove half the population of Bougainville from their homes. By 1995, 64,000 people were in refugee camps. Ten per cent of the population died. The Australian Government was supplying weapons and training to the PNG army while the PNG government vowed to kill anyone who broke a blockade on the island, a blockade that kept out medical supplies. This was a horrendous, bloody war on our own doorstep. It’s time for the whole truth behind it to be known.”
Papua New Guinea Mine Watch 
According to the Anustralian governments web site: Total Official Development Assistance (ODA) estimate 2011–12: $482.3 million.
Included in this:Security and stability
Australia’s assistance to the law and justice sector has seen a significant increase in the number of female village court magistrates recruited and trained across the country, up from 10 in 2004 to 500 by the end of 2010. There are an additional 200 female village court magistrates currently being trained. This will lead to better access for justice at the village level.
We are assisting police to respond to family and sexual violence, with three new Family and Sexual Violence Units established that responded to an estimated 1050 cases by the end of 2010. Australia helped to establish community-based crime prevention initiatives in Port Moresby, such as Yumi Lukautim Mosbi (‘Let’s look after Port Moresby’) which includes widespread job training and 118 job placements for ‘at-risk’ youth.
Australia is also helping to restore the rule of law in Bougainville, including providing technical assistance and training to the Bougainville police force.
If we are to be truely indipendent, we should stop taking aid from Australia and stand on our own two feet, and be proud, what ever the outcome.
It’s luadable that Australia tries to clean up the mess that it help make.(sarcasm)
“It’s time for the whole truth behind it to be known.” Part of the whole truth is that our esteemed leaders failed to hold three consecutive renegotiations to the mining agreements. This effectively tied the hands of CRA to improve the conditions. Thus the war on Bougainville was, at least in part, a self inflicted one. Steven Zorn was the adviser to the government in the early days and did an excellent job. An adviser of this stature has been noticably absent from negotiations with later mining arrivals. This is noticeable especially with Ramu Nickel.
EcesisPNG says
“……If we are to be truely indipendent, we should stop taking aid from Australia and stand on our own two feet, and be proud, what ever the outcome…..”
“Be proud, what ever the outcome……….”
Proud of what?
Proud of crime?
Proud of corruption?
Proud that there are not even essential medical services in PNG.
Proud that the PNG police force is only barely functional and often times corrupt?
Proud of a decayed infrastrucure?
Proud of a shockingly short life expectancy?
Proud of a high infant mortality?
Proud of PNG inexorably slipping back on the develoment indicators since independance?
Proud of failing to become an truely independant state although it was all handed to you on a silver platter.
What exactly are you saying there is to be proud of in terms of a national accomplishment Exesis?
I think the better position would be humble and hard working towards a real nation with real standards of governance and substance in social and legal equality.