Nine Papua New Guinea cabinet ministers arrived in Arawa in Bougainville yesterday for a key meeting today.
The Joint Supervisory Board meeting of both governments is expected to nut out some of the critical issues around a referendum on possible independence, tentatively set for June next year.
Over 20,000 people died in the Bougainville civil war and many disappeared without being accounted for. Photo: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
The issues include outstanding funding owed to Bougainville, the establishment of the Referendum Commission, which is set to be headed by former Irish prime minister Bertie Ahern, and the question or questions to be put to the Bougainville voters in the referendum.
It is also expected to confirm the date for the vote amid concerns that it might be moved from the initial date of June 15th, because time to prepare is running out.
The JSB meeting has been deferred on mulitple occasions, most recently just two weeks ago.
John Momis and Peter O'Neill Photo: RNZ / AFP
The PNG Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, who had originally been expected on Thursday for preiliminary talks with Bougainville President John Momis, is now expected later this morning.