RECONCILIATION - DAMIEN KOIKE AND THOMAS TARI

TRUTH, UNITY, PEACE AND RECONCILIATION PROGRAM
30th Chalcedony 2009 / 30th April 2009
By Samuel Miikaii

A major peace and reconciliation ceremony was held yesterday at Tonu U-Vistract headquarters between former BRA Buin Commander Thomas Tari and incumbent MDF Southern Commander Damien Koike. The occasion was witnessed by more than 3,000 people representing different parts of Bougainville, PNG and Fiji. The reconciliation also covered the 2006 attack on U-Vistract HQ by Thomas Tari and allied forces of ABG police and BFF.

Prior to the ceremony Thomas Tari invited Damien Koike’s soldiers and several civilians for a personal visit to his Kangku base on Restday 25th Chalcedony. Again on Plantsday Mr. Tari sent a delegation to Tonu under a customary law of “Aari” with a pig and two strings of shell money (mimis). This is a normal customary practice that goes before someone enters a restricted area due to deaths or bloodshed.

Major speakers at the ceremony included Damien Koike, Thomas Tari, Dr Leo Diou (Chief negotiator), John Itanu (Buin District Manager), Philip Mapah (UV Chief Administrator), Ps Andrew Manden (Peace Advocate) and HRH Meshach Autahe (Chairman Pei Mure Assoc).

After the ceremony Messrs Koike and Tari were so overjoyed such that they could not stop shaking hands every few minutes. “Mr. Tari emi brata blong mi stret. Mi nogat kros long em” (Mr. Tari is my brother…I don’t have anything against him) said Mr. Koike in front of the cheerful crowd that gathered at the former United Church hall.

The final speaker and Pei Mure Peace Makers Chairman, HRH Meshach Autahe, thanked everyone that gathered for the ceremony. “U-Vistract System emi ol lapun blong yumi yet i bin prophesaim stat long yia 1922 ikam inap nau hia long Tonu HQ” (U-Vistract System was prophesied by our own chiefs since 1922 right here at Tonu HQ). “As Bougainvilleans we must all work together in their footsteps and arrive at the promise land quicker” said the Chairman.

Papa’ala Chronicles understands from recent communications between ABG President Hon. James Tanis and Head of State HM King Peii II that Peace and Reconciliation are top priorities of the U-Vistract global system.
Ends