The United Nations' representative on the Papua New Guinea island of Bougainville says the destruction of weapons under the peace process is moving into high gear.
Noel Sinclair says almost 2 thousand weapons have been collected and they are held in many locations throughout each of the six districts on Bougainville.
He says at least 39 weapons belonging to resistance forces will be cut up in one area alone of Buka today, and dumped at sea by helicopter.
This follows the destruction of weapons in Torokina yesterday, and another ceremony is scheduled for Wakunai on January 1.
Noel Sinclair says there are weapons all over Bougainville and their destruction will take several months, but he's pleased it's under way.
"I'm very excited about it, this is what we've been working towards. The peace agreement required that by the 21st of December we should make a decision as to what will be the final fate and we managed to do that before the 21st, and immediately after the 21st we started destroying , and this corresponds to what the people wish. They want the weapons out of the way; they want to put them behiond them; they want to get on with their lives."
Noel Sinclair, the UN representative on Bougainville.
