Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on Bougainville

The Secretary-General welcomes the decision of Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Vanuatu to dispatch a small civilian transition team to Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, after the Bougainville Peace Monitoring Group leaves the island on 30 June 2003. He is pleased that the transition team will continue to provide logistical and operational support to the United Nations Political Office in Bougainville. This decision demonstrates the continuing commitment of the countries in the region to support the desire of the people of Papua New Guinea, including Bougainville, for a peaceful and prosperous future.