The president of the autonomous Papua New Guinea province of Bougainville, John Momis, has invited a former militant leader, who's blamed for widespread criminality, to meet for talks.
Damien Koike's group's been blamed for ongoing lawlessness around Konnou in the south of the main island, including a number of murders.
Mr Momis says they want him to lay down his arms and allow police and other government services into the area.
The president says that after an approach from the Koike camp, he's now written to suggest they meet on neutral ground for talks facilitated by the local United Nations representative.
"And I think this is a very good opportunity which we ourselves, the government, and Koike's mob should accept with both hands and have this meeting because it serves no-one any good when there is constant fighting."
President Momis says he hopes the talks can happen within the next week.
