Fiji, Oct. 27 -- National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop says Papua New Guinea must respect Bougainvilleans' decision on their political future, warning that their desire for self-determination predates the country's independence.
Speaking during Parliament's debate on the 2019 Bougainville referendum results, Parkop questioned whether the Government could change the position expressed by Bougainvilleans over decades.
"The challenge is, can we (Government) change that? No, because from historical perspective before the referendum and even before independence in 1975, their intentions were already expressed," Parkop said.
He said Bougainville's position reflected longstanding concerns about its place within Papua New Guinea, despi...