28 October 2014

International delegation visits Operation Render Safe 2014 in Torokina

A high-level delegation of politicians and diplomats have seen first-hand how Operation Render Safe is improving the safety of local communities in Torokina by removing unexploded ordnance from World War II.

Led by Autonomous Bougainville Government President Dr John Momis, the delegation was greeted by the community at Torokina Primary School and received a full mission briefing on board the Royal Australian Navy ship the HMAS CHOULES.

The delegation included Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, Ms Deborah Stokes; Australian Defence Force Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral David Johnston; and PNG Minister for Bougainville Affairs and Member for South Bougainville, Mr Steven Pirika Kamma.

Operation Render Safe comprises a multi-national team of explosive ordnance disposal experts who arrived in Torokina on Wednesday 22 October at the invitation of the Autonomous Bougainville Government and approval of the PNG Government to remove the explosive remnants of war. Experts from Australia, the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada and the Solomon Islands are working alongside the Bougainville Police Force during the operation.

Vice Admiral Johnston thanked the community for the cooperation the Task Force has received on the ground.

"This operation has been in planning for almost two years now after Australia received the request from the Autonomous Bougainville Government to come and provide this support and I'm very grateful to the many people who have provided the significant assistance which allows us to be here today," Vice Admiral Johnston said.

Ms Stokes said Operation Render Safe strengthens ties and acknowledges links between Australia and the people of Bougainville.

"The mission we are embarking on reminds us very much that we have a shared history that includes World War II. This mission is about helping the community in Torokina to overcome some of the legacy of that conflict," Ms Stokes said.

Commanding Officer of the HMAS CHOULES, Commander Ashley Papp, explained how the ship supports the removal of unexploded ordnance in Torokina.

"This is a very important capability as we are able to support all of the different countries and nations on board the ship, it also proves what a cooperative mission this is and that we all have a role to play in supporting our friends in the Pacific," Commander Papp said.

Operation Render Safe 2014 is a key element of Australia’s enduring commitment to make safe the Explosive Remnants of War in the South Pacific. Previous Operation Render Safe missions have removed Explosive Remnants of War from Solomon Islands and Rabaul.