From: "Vikki John" <VIKKI-AT-lexsun.law.uts.edu.au> Date: Wed, 29 Apr 1998 14:36:13 GMT-1000 Subject: M-NEWS: (Fwd) Bougainville - Radio Oz 29/4/98 Radio Australia - World News AUSTRALIA DENIES ECONOMIC MOTIVATION FOR BOUGAINVILLE INVOLVEMENT Wednesday 29 April, 1998 (1:36pm AEST) Australia has refuted claims that economic motives are behind its involvement in the Bougainville peace process. The question was put to Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, upon arrival today in Papua New Guinea. Sean Dorney reports, hardline secessionist, Francis Ona, opposes Australian involvement in the Peace Monitoring Group claiming it has a hidden agendo of reopening the copper mine. At an airport news conference on his arrival in Port Moresby to attend tomorrow's signing of the permanent cease-fire on Bougainville, Alexander Downer was asked to respond to Ona's claims of a hidden Australian agenda. "We have actually an interest in there being peace in our region which is far greater than an interest that some share-holders could have in a mine. Far greater and I think Francis Ona needs to understand that." The new Peace Monitoring Group which will take over from the New Zealand led Truce Monitoring Group will be headed by an Australian, Brigadier Bruce Osborne.
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