Monday, January 09, 2012
Peter O'Neill: I will not resign
Prime Minister Peter O'Neill has rejected calls by his deputy Belden Namah to resign.
Protest to Indonesian embassy
Peaceful protest march to Indonesian Embassy by a small group of people today to protest against the incident over Indonesian airspace involving Air Niugini's Falcon jet and two Indonesian fighter jets.
They have been told to give their petition to PNG Foreign Affairs, who will pass it on to the Indonesian Embassy.
They have been told to give their petition to PNG Foreign Affairs, who will pass it on to the Indonesian Embassy.
Somare: Probe politicians laundering money
GRAND Chief Sir Michael Somare said allegations that some members of
parliament were involved in money-laundering was serious and should be
investigated, The National reports.
Sir Michael called on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to come clean about the activities of his deputy and members of parliament in his camp.
“Papua New Guinea has signed many international conventions to condemn transnational crimes such as money-laundering, human trafficking and terrorism,” Sir Michael said.
“The allegations of money-laundering cannot be taken lightly and, if government resources are used such as the Falcon jet, then, a full investigation must be undertaken.
“Equally, it is disgraceful that members of parliament should be implicated in a money-laundering scandal.
“That aside, all past PNG governments have respected the sovereignty of other countries that have diplomatic missions in our country.
“We are not unique in the world in having border issues and our friendly relations has helped both countries deal with matters in a mature manner over the years.
“Therefore, as deputy leader of the O’Neill regime, Namah should not be making such outbursts until a complete report of the incident is available and, if need be, proper investigations are carried out.
“As it is, Namah reacted badly after the newspaper report last week.
“This is disgraceful behaviour as he had more than a month to lodge his complaint through the normal diplomatic means available to him.”
Sir Michael called on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to come clean about the activities of his deputy and members of parliament in his camp.
“Papua New Guinea has signed many international conventions to condemn transnational crimes such as money-laundering, human trafficking and terrorism,” Sir Michael said.
“The allegations of money-laundering cannot be taken lightly and, if government resources are used such as the Falcon jet, then, a full investigation must be undertaken.
“Equally, it is disgraceful that members of parliament should be implicated in a money-laundering scandal.
“That aside, all past PNG governments have respected the sovereignty of other countries that have diplomatic missions in our country.
“We are not unique in the world in having border issues and our friendly relations has helped both countries deal with matters in a mature manner over the years.
“Therefore, as deputy leader of the O’Neill regime, Namah should not be making such outbursts until a complete report of the incident is available and, if need be, proper investigations are carried out.
“As it is, Namah reacted badly after the newspaper report last week.
“This is disgraceful behaviour as he had more than a month to lodge his complaint through the normal diplomatic means available to him.”
Indonesia admits to sending fighter jets
By ISAAC NICHOLAS
INDONESIA has admitted sending its jet fighters to intercept an aircraft carrying top Papua New Guinea officials, a move which has driven diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries to a new low, The National reports.
Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah has threatened to expel Indonesian Ambassador to PNG Andreas Sitepu from Port Moresby if the Indonesian government fails to provide an explanation for the incident within 48 hours.
The incident took place on Nov 29 when Namah and several senior government officials flew through Indonesian airspace en route to Port Moresby from Malaysia.
The Jakarta Post reported last Friday that the Indonesian foreign ministry had stated in a press statement that the interception by the air force was due to “technical issues”, specifically data differences, in regards to the aircraft’s flight clearance.
“The measures that Indonesia carried out, in this case the interception of the aircraft by the air force, were in line with existing procedures in Indonesia and other countries in general,” the ministry said.
“The national air defence command (Kohanudnas) was conducting an electronic identification with radar and a visual identification by intercepting (the aircraft) according to standard procedures, and no harm occurred,” it added.
The ministry further said Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa had explained the incident to PNG ambassador Peter Ilau.
“The PNG ambassador to Indonesia has expressed his appreciation for the Indonesian foreign minister’s explanation, and said he would convey the message to his government,” he said.
But the defence ministry refused to acknowledge the incident.
Ministry spokesman Brig-Gen Hartind Asrin said no aircraft had ever tried to intercept PNG’s aircraft as claimed by the PNG government.
“PNG’s deputy prime minister flew from Kuala Lumpur to Port Moresby on Nov 29, but nothing happened,” he said.
“I have talked to our defence attaché in Port Moresby, and there have been no complaints filed by the PNG government or any other fuss regarding the claim.”
Hartind said if any aircraft had tried to intercept the PNG jet, “they were probably from other countries”.
Two Indonesian air force fighters intercepted the Falcon Jet over Indonesian airspace on Nov 29 and was not reported until The National broke the story last Friday.
Namah said the jet fighters were acting aggressively with the intention to intimidate.
“I am very angry. I demand an explanation.
“If I do not get an explanation within 48 hours, all diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea will be strained,” Namah said.
INDONESIA has admitted sending its jet fighters to intercept an aircraft carrying top Papua New Guinea officials, a move which has driven diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries to a new low, The National reports.
Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah has threatened to expel Indonesian Ambassador to PNG Andreas Sitepu from Port Moresby if the Indonesian government fails to provide an explanation for the incident within 48 hours.
The incident took place on Nov 29 when Namah and several senior government officials flew through Indonesian airspace en route to Port Moresby from Malaysia.
The Jakarta Post reported last Friday that the Indonesian foreign ministry had stated in a press statement that the interception by the air force was due to “technical issues”, specifically data differences, in regards to the aircraft’s flight clearance.
“The measures that Indonesia carried out, in this case the interception of the aircraft by the air force, were in line with existing procedures in Indonesia and other countries in general,” the ministry said.
“The national air defence command (Kohanudnas) was conducting an electronic identification with radar and a visual identification by intercepting (the aircraft) according to standard procedures, and no harm occurred,” it added.
The ministry further said Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa had explained the incident to PNG ambassador Peter Ilau.
“The PNG ambassador to Indonesia has expressed his appreciation for the Indonesian foreign minister’s explanation, and said he would convey the message to his government,” he said.
But the defence ministry refused to acknowledge the incident.
Ministry spokesman Brig-Gen Hartind Asrin said no aircraft had ever tried to intercept PNG’s aircraft as claimed by the PNG government.
“PNG’s deputy prime minister flew from Kuala Lumpur to Port Moresby on Nov 29, but nothing happened,” he said.
“I have talked to our defence attaché in Port Moresby, and there have been no complaints filed by the PNG government or any other fuss regarding the claim.”
Hartind said if any aircraft had tried to intercept the PNG jet, “they were probably from other countries”.
Two Indonesian air force fighters intercepted the Falcon Jet over Indonesian airspace on Nov 29 and was not reported until The National broke the story last Friday.
Namah said the jet fighters were acting aggressively with the intention to intimidate.
“I am very angry. I demand an explanation.
“If I do not get an explanation within 48 hours, all diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea will be strained,” Namah said.
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