Re: Bougainville, Strategy and violence

[John Hutnyk <John.hutnyk@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Bruce

Bruce Lindsay wrote:
> But, agreeing that both government's militaries,
> paramilitary gangs on Bougainville, and the respective regimes are
> "mercenary", the real points about the hiring of commandos (and the mock
> outrage of the Australian government) include the *privitization* of
> military force and its contribution to the militarization of the situation.

Agreed. But where is Chan getting the cash to hire these people?

> will "mercenaries" prove significant to propping up the military power of
> the PNG government? It is also worth remembering that the network of
> companies operating the mercenaries directly control significant mining
> operations, etc, in Africa (as a result of deals with various states) and
> thus operates as a conglomerate, indicating the possibility of capital
> operating as a "state within a state."

Good point. So which companies? I've not read around this lot -
Sandline, beyond the usual Guardian expose style stuff from journos.
Some might think it would be nice to make it personal, to name names
etc. Obviously this would be only of side interest vis va vis the
struggle and/or the revolt of the military etc, but still...

Today's paper:
<From Bougainville (BFM) list>
> Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday, March 18, 1997
> ----------------------------------------------
>
> THE revolt yesterday of soldiers led by the Papua New Guinea military
> commander, Brigadier-General Jerry Singirok, was, as he told it, essentially
> about pay and conditions for his men. "I couldn't stand," he said, "the
> Government spending 30 million kina in three months on Sandline
> International and my men can hardly get enough food, supplies or uniforms."
> However justified that complaint, a move by the military against a
> government can never be a small matter, even when in response to such an
> abomination as the PNG Government's contract with the mercenary organisation
> Sandline International. Yesterday's confrontation threatened the very basis
> of stable government in Papua New Guinea.

John
Manchester


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