By TIMOTHY MASIU
BUKA: Bougainville rebel chief Francis Ona has guaranteed the safety of John Momis, currently being held captive by rebels.
In a statement late yesterday, Mr Ona assured Mr Momis' family and the people of Bougainville and PNG that the Bougainville MP would not be harmed.
He said Mr Momis had been picked up to discuss certain matters.
Meanwhile, a negotiator said here that he had seen Mr Momis and Melanesian Alliance leader James Billy who was kidnapped along with him and they were well.
The two men were kidnapped by rebels after a church service last Sunday at Tinputz.
Speaking from his jungle hide-out in the mountainous Kongara area of Central Bougainville, Mr Ona said: "He is a respected leader and we also respect him.
"Tell the people, that I trust my men who are holding him. He is in safe hands."
Mr Ona said he was "inviting" Mr Momis to meet him and the other rebel leaders at Panguna to discuss various issues.
Mr Momis would be released after the meeting to go back to his usual work, the rebel leader said.
According to Australia based rebel spokesman, Moses Havini, Mr Ona was currently communicating the change of plans to the men holding Mr Momis in Tinputz.
"If this goes through, Mr Momis may be taken to the BIG headquarters for a briefing with the full cabinet, before he can be released," said Mr Havini from Sydney.
Mr Haivini also added that a message from Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer regarding Mr Momis was also conveyed to Mr Ona.
Mr Ona said in his statement last night that he would sort things out from his end and added that Mr Downer should not worry as everything was in his (Ona's) hands.
Mr Ona said he was in a cabinet meeting and would contact Mr Downer as soon as he finished and had free time.
Meanwhile, the negotiator who arrived in Buka from Tinputz yesterday said Mr Momis was being well looked after and cared for by his captors.
The negotiator said he had walked all the way to where Mr Momis and Mr Billy were being held to negotiate with the rebels for their release.
"When I arrived I was jumped on and hit on the head with the butt of a high powered rifle. I didn't make any move but remained standing when their leader Toby appeared," he said.
"He then recognised me and we spoke at length of the consequences of holding on to Mr Momis for too long."
The source said their meeting lasted about 30 minutes in which the rebels reiterated their demands.
"They still want the K50,000 in cash and the withdrawal of security forces in the Tinputz area," he said.
He said although he could not talk to Mr Momis and Mr Billy, he did see them sitting some yards away from where he was talking to the rebels.
"From where I was, I could see both of them very clearly and they also saw us talking. I could tell they were well."
BTG Premier Gerard Sinato yesterday again appealed to the rebel leaders to take control of their men before the situation got out of hand.
Mr Sinato's appeal came after reports that rebels were divided over the kidnapping with Buin rebels issuing a 24-hour deadline for Mr Momis' release.
"I am very concerned with these reports and therefore I am appealing to Francis Ona, Joseph Kabui, Sam Kauona and all other rebel leaders to do something before the situation turns nasty," said Mr Sinato in his appeal over the Bougainville radio.