The Papua New Guinea government has set up a new ministerial committee on Bougainville and appointed Bougainville People's Congress vice president, James Tanis, to be responsible for peace and autonomy in the island's interim provincial government.
The Post Courier newspaper says Inter Government Relations Minister, Sir Peter Barter, announced the establishment of the committee yesterday.
It quotes Sir Peter as saying the committee will handle the co-ordination of planning and implementation of the national government's responsibilities in Bougainville.
Sir Peter also welcomed the appointment of Mr Tanis, saying the appointment marked another significant step in co-operation among Bougainville's leaders.
