Reconciliation discussions that have taken the best part of a week in Arawa and Panguna in Bougainville have reached a series of momentous decisions.
Bougainville is to hold a referendum on independence from Papua New Guinea this year, and the reconciliations brought together veterans off the Bougainville conflict to have them reach consensus.
Among the decisions, the former Bougainville Resistance, members of the Bougianville Revolutionary Army and the Me'ekamui factions have agreed to unite.
The Bougainville Minister for Peace Agreement Implementation, Albert Punghau, was at the meeting and Don Wiseman asked him if it was successful.
Bougainville Peace Agreement ceremony in Arawa in August 2001 Photo: RNZ Walter Zweifel
