It cannot be denied. UNPO members who are finally moving towards the realization of their self- determination need to have patience. Lots of patience! Progress is slow in the case of East Timor and Bougainville is certainly no exception to this. But at least the situation there remains more promising than a decade ago. Shockingly, according to an Australian government report entitled "The Bougainville Crisis - An Australian Perspective", almost 20 000 people had died during the decade- long civil war. These people may not have died in vain as long as the Papua New Guinea government receives a two-third majority (82 Members of Parliament voting in favour) in parliament to pass the necessary laws for the legalisation of the Bougainville autonomy agreement. Once the laws are passed, both the Bougainville Interim Provincial government and the Bougainville Peoples Congress will set up a Constitutional Commission and a Constituent Assembly to draft a Bougainville constitution.
This whole process will closely involve the PNG national government, requiring full consultations as the constitution-making process further develops. The Constitutional Commission comprises of representatives of the people of Bougainville. The final draft of the constitution-to-be will then be submitted to the National Executive Council of PNG, which will advise the Head of State to endorse the new constitution. The Bougainville Constitution will be the supreme law as far as concerning matters that fall under Bougainville's jurisdiction. Excluded are matters such as foreign affairs, defence and international shipping and aviation.

The UNPO believes that many of its other members could learn from the example of Bougainville as it develops (granted the peace process stays on track). One particularly valuable lesson is the power of constructive dialogue and political willingness to negotiate a win-win outcome.