Bougainville: President Fears Fijian Mercenaries Heading for Boungainville
Bougainville president Joseph Kabui says up to 100 Fijian mercenaries could be heading for the troubled Papua New Guinea (PNG) island province.
In a call for help, Mr Kabui says the PNG and Fiji governments should prevent the mercenaries from reaching the island, where five former Fiji army soldiers are allegedly training rebels.
He says the autonomous Bougainville Government was calling on the two governments "not to allow the mercenaries to come to Bougainville".
The mercenaries are reported to be providing weapons training to separatists and seeking recruits in an area controlled by followers of the late rebel leader Francis Ona.
The Fiji Government has distanced itself from the band of Fijians in Bougainville, describing their actions as an embarrassment.
