91998E2204

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2204/98

by Alan Gillis (PPE) to the Commission

(10 July 1998)

Subject: Bougainville

Given the volatile nature of the cease-fire and the real possibility of a resumption of armed conflict can the Commission indicate whether or not the promised funding has reached the people of the island of Bougainville to ensure that the peace agreement is secured and that the educational system and economic life of the island can restart?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(28 July 1998)

Following the signing of the "permanent and irrevocable" ceasefire in Bougainville on 30 April 1998 by nearly all parties concerned, the government and Papua New Guinea's donors have sufficient confidence in the situation to have pledged considerable sums for the rehabilitation and development of Bougainville. Emergency aid and rehabilitation actions have already started, meaning that the so-called peace dividend is materialising. Perhaps the best indication of the solidity of the ceasefire is that the people of Bougainville have themselves begun rehabilitating houses and even roads.

The Community has established a comprehensive package for Bougainville making use of a number of instruments coordinated by Technical assistance already in place.

In particular, existing projects under the 7th European development fund, the budget line for eco-forestry and Stabex which were blocked because of the security situation, are now being implemented. For Stabex alone nearly 2 MECU have either been committed or disbursed and a new Stabex intervention of approximately 5 MECU is under preparation. It is likely to concentrate on agriculture rehabilitation, in particular cocoa, rehabilitation of feeder roads of importance to the agriculture, and probably eco-forestry (there is a substantial need for timber on the island).

In addition, a grant of 500 000 ECU for the International Red Cross has just been decided by the Commission. This includes distribution of medical kits, construction materials and kits, and water and sanitation supplies for the benefit of medical facilities in Bougainville and some small neighbouring islands.

Finally, other traditional donors like Australia and New Zealand have also already committed considerable sums for Bougainville.