13 Dec 2005

Former Bougainville militia threatens to seize key offices of government - report

9:20 am on 13 December 2005

A former militia group reportedly wants to shut down key operations of the administration of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville.

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports the threats come from the so-called Resistance group.

The radio reports the group has shut down Bougainville's electoral office and it's threatening to seize the airport in the provincial capital of Buka.

Militant groups in the Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville want to use force to remove the six former Fiji soldiers in Tonu at the southern tip of Bougainville island.

The former soldiers are thought to be training security guards for the investment scheme operator Noah Musingku.

Security authorities in Solomon islands are closely monitoring the activities of foreign former soldiers now in Bougainville.

The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation reports the Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza, as saying he's held discussions with high ranking Papua New Guinea security officials about the situation.