Regional News

24 FEBRUARY 2010 PORT MORESBY (POST COURIER) - Traditional border crossers between the Solomon Islands and Bougainville are happy with the arrangements made by the Border Development Authority, but the arrangement must not destroy the existing traditional ties.
The National Government and the Autonomous Bougainville Government will now come up with a reconciliation between the two governments on the issue of the Kangu massacre in which 11 PNGDF soldiers were attacked and killed.

Several border crossers and some government officials have suggested the issue of the Kangu massacre be looked at and for the traditional ties between the Solomon Islands and Bougainville to be maintained.


A border crosser who wishes to remain anonymous said their traditional ties had grown to be strong, starting from the exchange and barter system in the traditional days, and now Bougainvilleans were getting married to Solomon Islanders.

“We are happy that the Border development Authority will be helping us in health and infrastructure but the two issues need to be addressed,” he said.

“We are very happy that the National Government is keen on helping us with the border by providing other alternatives ,” he said. “A lot of Solomon islanders go to Buin every Saturday from the outer islands which are far from Honiara, their capital town.

“Most of them come seeking better services in Buin town through Kangu in South Bougainville and Sirovai in Koromira area of Centrain Bougainville mainly to sell fish at the markets and buy food items clothes and medicine to bring home.

“When we reconcile with the National Government on the Kangu massacre they will be convinced that we are serious in working with them since we want development to take place in South Bougainville,” he said?.PNS (ENDS)