PAPUA NEW GUINEA REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE IN DISPOSING OF

UNCLAS PORT MORESBY 000058


DEPT FOR EAP/ANP AND EAP/RSP
DEPT FOR PM/WRA CHARLES STONECIPHER
USPACOM/J53 FOR BILL SCHWAB

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PARM MASS OPDC PP
SUBJECT: PAPUA NEW GUINEA REQUESTS USG ASSISTANCE IN DISPOSING OF
WWII WEAPONS AND MUNITIONS


1. Summary and Action Request: Embassy has received a request
from Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Somare for USG assistance
in cleaning up unexploded ordnance and other WWII debris in and
around the island of Bougainville. We request Department's
assistance in responding to the request, and suggest
coordination with the Government of Australia and appropriate UN
agencies. Text of PM Somare's letter follows para. 3 below.
End Summary and Action Request.

Background
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2. The area around Papua New Guinea's island of Bougainville is
littered with aging weapons and munitions left over from World
War II, especially around the community of Torokina. This
debris, much of it old weapons, bombs and other unexploded
ordnance, presents a significant danger to the people of
Bougainville. Local residents have inadvertently detonated
several of these devices over the years, leading to death and
serious injury. The debris is also unsightly, hindering
development of tourism and agriculture.


3. These weapons continue to surface. Some of the weapons and
explosive devices have found their way into the hands of
insurgents on both sides in the recent and bloody conflict on
Bougainville, exacerbating the violence and disturbing the
Government. We are sending a report on the conflict SEPTEL.


4. The Ambassador has been approached about this issue by
various officials, including the President of Bougainville. On
April 8, we received the following official request from the
Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea.

BEGIN TEXT OF PM SOMARE'S LETTER
--------------

6 April 2009

H.E. Ms Leslie Rowe
Ambassador
Embassy of the United States of America
PO Box 1492
Port Moresby NCD 121

Your Excellency

I have been approached by the President of the ABG [Autonomous
Bougainville Government] to request your assistance to see if
your Government would be able to assist with the disposal of
World War 2 bombs, explosive devises and other ammunitions. I
am advised by the President of the ABG that he has already had
discussions on this matter with you and the Australian High
Commissioner.

The use of these surplus materials by individuals intending to
disrupt the peace process on Bougainville is of real concern to
the National Government and the sooner we rid them from the
Island of Bougainville the better it is for the peace process.

I would be grateful if you could seek the kind understanding of
your Government to agree to an arrangement with my relevant
authorities here in Papua New Guinea to remove this source of
threat to the peace process.

Yours sincerely

//signed//

M T SOMARE GCL GCMG CH CF KStJ

END TEXT OF PM SOMARE'S LETTER.
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ROWE