EXCHANGE OF LETTERS CONSTITUTING AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND AND THE GOVERNMENT OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA FOR THE PROVISION BY THE NEW ZEALAND NAVY TASK GROUP OF A VENUE FOR NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA AND THE LEADERS OF THE NORTH SOLOMONS PROVINCE

(Port Moresby, 25 July 1990)

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 25 JULY 1990

No. 1 

His Excellency Mr JOHN HAYES 
New Zealand High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea 

to

The Honourable BENAIS SABUMEI 
Minister for Defence of Papua New Guinea

New Zealand High Commission 
Port Moresby 

25 July 1990

My dear Minister,

I have the honour to refer to discussions between our two governments in which, at the request of the Government of Papua New Guinea, the Government of New Zealand has agreed to make available a Task Group of three ships of the Royal New Zealand Navy as the venue for negotiations between the Government of Papua New Guinea and the leaders of North Solomons Province.

I now propose on behalf of the Government of New Zealand that an agreement be reached between our two governments in this matter on the following terms:

All persons on or in transit to the ships and all servicemen and associated personnel who may be present from time to time on land or elsewhere outside the ships shall be accorded immunity from the jurisdiction of the Papua New Guinea authorities, except in any case where the New Zealand authorities expressly consent otherwise. The Government of Papua New Guinea shall waive all claims against the Government of New Zealand or against New Zealand personnel arising out of the performance of their duties. The two governments shall consult on the settlement of any claims.

If the foregoing is acceptable to the Government of Papua New Guinea, I have the honour to propose that this letter, together with your reply to that effect, shall constitute an agreement between our two governments which shall enter into force on the date of your reply.

Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely

JOHN HAYES
High Commissioner

No. 2
The Honourable BENAIS SABUMEI
Minister for Defence of Papua New Guinea

to

His Excellency Mr JOHN HAYES
New Zealand High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea

HQ PNG Defence Force
Port Moresby

25 July 1990

My dear High Commissioner,

I have the honour to refer to your letter of today's date, which reads as follows:

[As in No. 1]

I have the honour to confirm that the foregoing is acceptable to the Government of Papua New Guinea and that your letter, together with this reply, constitute an agreement between our two governments which enters into force on today's date.

Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely 

Honourable BENAIS SABUMEI 
Minister for Defence