Aid deal offer for landowners - PNG/Australia/Kokoda
28/3/08
An aid deal to help the Kokoda landowners has been proposed by a special Kokoda envoy who says mining should not be a concern to the Australian government. But he has told Prime Minister Kevin Rudd the people living along this iconic wartime track want is quality water. The aid package, which would cover environmental health, transport, education and the creation of business spin-offs from the 96km track, was proposed by former chief executive of the Sydney Organising Committee for the Olympic Games and Australian diplomat Sandy Hollway. Mr Hollway recently told The Australian newspaper the Rudd -government should be concerned about the water quality for the landowners and not about the mining at the World War II track.
See: http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20080328/frhome.htm
Kokoda Track reopens, tracker welcomes move
Julia DaiaBore; 28/3/08
The landowners at Nauro have decided to re-open the Kokoda Trail and continue negotiations with all parties concerned. Kokoda Trail’s veteran Australian trekker and advocate of long-standing friendship between Australians and the Orokaiva and Koiari people living along the track, Charlie Lynn, has welcomed the move to open up the world-famous track to visitors again. Mr Lynn had also welcomed the possible hope of turning the Kokoda Trail into a National Memorial Park. Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd had appointed former chief of the Sydney Olympics organising committee, Sandy Holloway, as his special envoy to work with Government officials, landowners, clan leaders and others to ensure the integrity of the track.
See: http://www.thenational.com.pg/032808/index.htm