The Second Wave
Noah Musingku, who is also known as "HM King David Peii II" Head of State of "Kingdom of Papala", spoke publicly on 22 November 2005. His official newspaper, the Papala Chronicles, reported that ten more Fijian soldiers were expected to arrive in Bougainville soon, with more than 35 expected by the end of November 2005. The Papala Chronicles identified the Ronin Company as a source of the men, along with members of a private telecommunications company, who would be employed to install all telecommunication systems in Tonu, the headquarters of the "kingdom" of Papala, and eventually throughout Bougainville. On 23 November, the Fiji Live news service reported that 30 men, most or all of whom were believed to be unemployed, had begun seeking a medical clearance to travel to Bougainville, and that a further 300 were expected later on, having been lured with promises of F$1 million each.
Meanwhile, the central government of Papua New Guinea has told the autonomous government of Bougainville that if it fails to step in to evict the eight Fijians, central authorities will intervene.
Fiji's Employment Minister Kenneth Zinck said on 23 November that he welcomed the recruitment of former Fijian soldiers for work in Bougainville, provided that it was for a legitimate undertaking. The government would be concerned if they were being hired as mercenaries, and wanted to see their employment contracts prior to their departure, he said. National Alliance Party leader Ratu Epeli Ganilau, a former Commander of the Fijian Military, concurred, but in an interview with Australia's ABC Television's Asia Pacific Focus programme on 27 November that in the absence of proof, it was wrong to assume that the men were up to no good. He expressed concern that the men may have been duped by the promise of a million dollars' cash each, and said he hoped that "cool heads" would prevail in the event of the promise coming to nothing.
Fiji's Military Commander Commodore Frank Bainimarama told the Fiji Live news service on 13 December that Musingku had contacted him several months earlier, offering F$35 million for his cooperation with respect to "security work" in Bougainville. Bainimarama recognized the scheme as an obvious "con job", he said, and did not reply to the letter.
Read more about this topic: Fijian Mercenaries In Bougainville
Famous quotes containing the word wave:
“Children are as destined biologically to break away as we are, emotionally, to hold on and protect. But thinking independently comes of acting independently. It begins with a two-year-old doggedly pulling on flannel pajamas during a July heat wave and with parents accepting that the impulse is a good one. When we let go of these small tasks without anger or sorrow but with pleasure and pride we give each act of independence our blessing.”
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