Constitutional Background
Sir Julius Chan is the current (1996) Prime Minister in Papua New Guniea (PNG), Michael Somare is the opposition leader.
In the South of Bougainville island, the separatist Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) are fighting the government since 1988. They are controlling the central and southern districts together with the BRA-friendly Bougainville Interim Government (BIG). The ongoing dispute orginates in the islanders' claim against a copper mine to fill in a huge hole in land considered sacred. Bougainville wants to become separate or associate with the Solomon Islands, their closer neighbors. The North is dominated by violent action of the pro-PNG Resistance Auxiliary Troops. The Bougainville Transitional Government (BTG), nominated by Chan (PNG) and located in Buka, a small separate island to the north of the main island of Bougainville, has never gained effective control. Its leader, Theodore Miriung, who wanted to bring peace to Bougainville, was assassinated at his wife's home on 12 Oct 1996. An enquiry headed by a Sri Lankan judge resolved that he has been killed by a group of PNG soldiers and two Resistance leaders.
History and News
- 26 March 1997: Chan, together with his deputy and the dfence minister, steps aside after army chief Jerry Singirok denounces the mercenary contract and calls for resignation.
- Jan 1997: Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan signs contract with foreign mercenaries ("military advisers" from Sandline International, a company registered in the Bahamas with offices in London and Washington).
- 20 June 1996: Offensive against Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA).
- 1994: Sir Julius Chan is elected Prime Minister on his promise to end the conflict on Bougainville.
- 1989: Unilateral abolishment of autonomy of Bougainville by Papua New Guniea; guerilla army starts fighting for independence.
- 1976: Autonomy of Bougainville.
- 1 Sep 1975: Independence of Bougainville from Australia, two weeks before the independence of Papua New Guinea.
