Ethics: Message to Media

A letter from the Hapiu Carterets Council of Elders to all media wanting to document the Carteret Islanders.

January 11, 2010

To Whom It May Concern:

Advisory to journalists, film makers, photographers, writers, researchers and tourists not working for or through Tulele Peisa, revised on Han Island on January 11, 2010.

Thank you for your interest in the Tulun/Carterets Atoll, Bougainville, PNG.  We regret to inform you that the atoll community is currently unable to accept any visitor to any of the islands. The islanders need time and to put in efforts to relocate and resettle in safer grounds.

This is a decision and directive from the 30 chief representatives of the 15 clan houses on Han who are also members of the Hapiu Carterets Council of Elders (CoE).   At the one day workshop held between the Hapiu COE, women chiefs, men chiefs, youth representatives and Tulele Peisa a decision was reached and a directive given to Tulele Peisa.

As the non-government organisation representing the CoE and responsible for the relocation and resettlement, we have entrusted Ursula Rakova, its Executive Director to ensure that our directive is respected and adhered to.

This directive supersedes the decision of 1st March 2009 indefinitely and ultimately we call for this decision and directive reached on January 2010 until such time CoE are able to review the situation and adopt a different policy.

Should you wish to be considered to come to the atolls an amount of K5, 000 as administration fee has been agreed upon by the CoE and Tulele Peisa and must be paid to the Carterets Trust Fund prior to coming to the island.  The purpose of this administration fee is to contribute to the building of the houses on identified relocation sites for the Carterets Islanders, co-rodinated by Tulele Peisa.

The payment of administration fee (PGK5, 000) excludes payment for food, transport and accommodation both in Buka and on the Tulun/Carterets Islands.

Last but not least, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation of your concern and interest.  We trust this decision and directive paves the way for respect and mutual understanding and better co-operation between yourselves and Tulele Peisa to safeguarding the welfare of the Carterets Islanders on this campaign and advocacy on climate change and rising sea levels on the most vulnerable atolls in the Pacific.

God Bless You!

On behalf of the Hapiu Council of Elders,

RUFINA MOI – WOMEN CHIEF, NABOIN

ROSE TSUBE – WOMEN CHIEF

CLARA TANGIN – WOMEN CHIEF, NAKARIPA

CLARA TAHOU – WOMEN CHIEF, LUMANKOA

MARTHA TOROVIA – WOMEN LEADER, NAKAS

KARLO TUGIER – CLAN CHIEF, NABOIN

RUTH TOHAKA – WOMAN LEADER

AUGUSTIN NAHIA – CLAN CHIEF, NAKARIPA

PAUL HAREHIN – CLAN CHIEF, NAKARIPA

ANDREW TAKIOMO – CLAN LEADER, NABOIN

PAUL T MAEKA – CLAN CHIEF, NAKAS

PAUL TAPAROHO – CLAN CHIEF, NAKARIPA

JOSEPH MOLOGAI – CLAN CHIEF, NAKARIPA

DOROTHY RENI – CLAN CHIEF, NABOIN

JOHN SAILIK – CLAN CHIEF

TONY TOLOGINA – CLAN CHIEF, NABOIN

SIMON WINCHA – YOUTH LEADER

NICHOLAS HAKATA – YOUTH PRESIDENT

 

Tulele Peisa Incorporated
PO Box 495
BUKA
Autonomous Region of Bougainville
St Add: Saki Trading Bldg, Sect 1, Lot 86, Buka
Tel/Fax:   (675) 973 9353
Mobile:    (675) 7119 1646
E-mail:     ursula[at]online.net.pg
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