A United Nations report says a significant number of secessionist rebels in the Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville have expressed willingness to take part in upcoming elections.
The UN observer mission to Bougainville has presented a report to the Security Council in New York.
It says community leaders and volunteers from among former combatants, are carrying out an awareness campaign with the rank-and-file members of the Mekamui Defence Force in the so-called 'no go zone'.
It says sources close to the rebel leader, Francis Ona, have informed the UN that he is ready to meet the president of the people's congress, Joseph Kabui.
The mission says such a reconciliation would bode well for the potential opening up of the 'no go zone' to government services.
The UN says it will continue to provide and other support to the parties in this matter.
