MOMIS BLAMES AUSTRALIA
Aloysius Laukai | New Dawn
The ABG President John Momis yesterday blamed Rio Tinto and the Australian government for the Bougainville conflict. He made these comments when talking to the people of Kunua .
Dr. Momis said because of this the ABG was asking them to come back and redeem themselves to the people of Bougainville and start fresh.
He said that they were happy to return and contribute to the development of the region despite all the past problems.
President Momis said all other outstanding issues will be addressed through a new agreement that will be negotiated between BCL, ABG,National Government, Landowners and representatives of all Bougainville facttions.
He called on the people of Bougainville to also redeem themselves as they too took part in destroying properties like schools and hospitals which we are trying hard to re build.
they must compensate the people for their losses even though money cannot replace their loved ones we leave it in all mighty gods hands he is the decision maker not mere man as the word says
no compensation will happen
the people of Bougainville took up the sword in an insurrection and what happened thereafter could hardly cast the people of Bougainville as entirely blameless.
what did they think would happen?
So, assuming this report is accurate, Dr Momis wants BCL to make amends by returning to the island, addressing grievances, reopening the mine and paying compensations. One minor problem, to make amends one must first admit wrong; and the last time I checked BCL denied any responsibility for, or complicity in, the war crimes committed during their tenure on the island. Forgiveness and fresh starts will be rather difficult if BCL remains steadfast in this respect.
how can BLC be blamed?
a woman was raped on the island by a BLC employee from the mainland (highlands).
the was payback which got out of hand PNG style.
it festered and got worse, then civil disobediance and it went from there.
a lot of people think it all started from a struggle for independance but eye winesses have an alternate view.
Kris
There are many issue to be considered but one thing is certain, there will be no attribution of a war crime, as a matter of law. Many violent acts were committed by the state and individuals. However whether these acts were wrongs within the meaning of a ‘war crime’ have not been determined. The proper course to take would be to refer the matter to the War Crimes Tribunal. No one seems to want to do this.
Indeed, those in positions of powerful are reluctant to refer this case to international authorities; and the national court has to my knowledge refused to hear any cases nationally. So you are right its an uphill struggle. But so then are all good and worthy causes.
Well Kristian
Is that reluctance based on the fact that no crime has been disclosed?
Kristian.
The correct jurisdiction is in Europe, not the “national Court”.
There sure are a lot of wannabe war crimes experts on this blog. The truth behind Boungainville is that all sides are to blame and none more so than the GoPNG.
Blaming BCL is just silly as they followed the rules that were set up at the time. If there’s bad blood just get a new mining company to come in and set the place up.
How about Ok Tedi?
Bob, I belive Julius Chang did commit crimes against the people of Bougainville.
Some one has to be held to account for some of teh deaths.
I do not believe that BCL was ever demonstrated to have overtly and directly collud in such killings.
Nor can it be blamed for being driven out of the island with attendant damage to the environment.
But its not a matter of “blame” now.
Its a matter for improving the lives of people.
Momis needs to pull his head in and stop playing politics.