Exxon Mobil landholders want re-settlement before another disaster occurs

From a special correspondent
The traditional landowners of the Tumbi quarry have called on both the Government and the Developer to immediately relocate the four major clans ( Ware, Pepe, Parakua and Imini) in  a safe and secured agricultural land before they become the next people to be the victims of a landslide.
The leaders of the clans namely: Giya Hawi, Libe Hale, Tokoya Piwago, Wabe Ako, Abe Okopi, Tiki Halimbu, Tomo Warolo, Urupu Andawi, Wandipe Kau, Ekanda Timbabu, Timothy Nogobe, Ekawi Hale, Tiki Yuli, Peter Pamiari, Hiruba Yakapi, Tamita Malamu, Ekawi Tanda, Ako Tagirali, Tumbiyama Andigi, Eka Lawi, Nane Pipila, John Kuni, Pape Timbabu, Toya Komapuk, Tandali Kilip, Tabi Togola, Kula Potabe, Kupiawi Aluya, Daniel Huripa and Michael Kane told this reporter this afternoon from Tumbi village:

“We cannot look for land in another clan because they think that we are in the project area and have lots of money. People are not willing give us shelter, food, clothes, land and gardens because they think we are project landowners so we have lots of money. We are victimized by the so called Multi Million Kina project”. said Mr. Hibson Puma.

The Tumbi Quarry landowner Mr. Yogobo Piwago said, he had requested many times to the developer (Exxon Mobile) to resettle them before they work on the quarry but failed on deaf ears.

“We have been living on this land for the past 6000 years, this is the first time our mountain has killed us” said Mr. Timothy Nogobe. We therefore come to conclude that what triggered the event is the quarry and the use of Chemicals and Bombs to blast the quarry at the top of the mountain, this has changed the ground water (Tumbi and Tuku) for the rapid breakdown of the mountain Tumbi burrying alive more than 25 people. Our mountains in Hela namely ( Mount Tau-Parila, Uraga, Be-Tini, Ambua-Kelapo, Haliago and Ilu) has been tasted by earthquakes and intense rainfalls but never collapses like it did.
We support the LNG project but it must be done within laws of our country and respect the rights of the indigenous landowners and its environment. Our long journey to succesfully harvesting the benefits to our Gas depends on how well, the State and the Developer proactively and sensitively address this disaster with the victim and affected families within the Quarry Tumbi.

Mr. Hibson Puma also called on the PPC and PSC in Tari to use the Tari, Koroba and Margarima Police to provide security at the site and not hiring mobile squads from outside the Province as it is insulting to the immediate families of the deaths. We are not in war!, We need clean water, garden food, shelter and comfort. We do not need to see a high powered guns in this time of situation.
Meanwhile, other leaders of the Hela including member of Koroba Kobiago -John Kekeno and James Marabe of Tari-Pori/HTA chairman has called for a detailed investigation into the causes and triggers of the landslides and the safety and environmental practices of the developer in the daily newspapers last week.

PNG's woes matter to us: Downe

OUR neighbour's political crisis should serve as a wake-up call for Canberra, writes Alexander Downer
I was in New York to brief the United Nations Security Council last week when I saw the ugly scenes from Canberra of our Prime Minister and Opposition Leader being bundled out of a restaurant by security officers protecting them from protesters. This incident made news right around the world. It was embarrassing. All day people were asking me what was going on in Australia.

Imagine my horror when I subsequently discovered that there was a political motive behind the protest: To try to humiliate Tony Abbott! Talk about an own goal! A Labor staffer had to resign and the protesters were seen to be party to a political stunt. But, as I said to my interlocutors, this was just a passing incident which will be well forgotten in a few months.

Just to the north of Australia, something much more serious has been going on. For the last few months, Papua New Guinea has been engulfed by a political and constitutional crisis.

The country has, in effect, had two prime ministers and two governors general. As you can imagine, that's a very untidy situation.
All this goes back to March last year when Papua New Guinea's long-serving prime minister, Sir Michael Somare, had heart surgery in Singapore. In June, his family announced that Somare had retired. However, there was legal uncertainty about how to replace him, uncertainty the parliament tried to resolve by electing the Finance Minister, Peter O'Neill, as Prime Minister in August.

In the meantime, Somare recovered and returned to PNG claiming he was legally still PM. He went to court and in early December the Supreme Court ruled he indeed was. So the Parliament immediately passed retrospective legislation to overturn the Supreme Court decision. But despite the Parliament overwhelmingly supporting O'Neill, the Governor General swore Somare in as Prime Minister.
The Parliament then sacked the Governor General and appointed the Speaker in his place, and he then rescinded Somare's commission and swore in O'Neill as PM.

This seemed to be pretty much the end of it all until last week when a colonel walked into the office of the chief of the defence force and announced he was taking over the army and would restore Somare as prime minister. This horrifying action was quickly overcome as most of the army supported O'Neill.
I think I've got all that right. And it's a test of you to remember all that detail. You don't need to, of course; you just need to get a sense of what's been going on in the nearest country to Australia. When John Howard was Prime Minister of Australia he used to say that his greatest foreign policy worry was that PNG would descend into political chaos. After all, its neighbour the Solomon Islands did, Vanuatu has come perilously close at times and Fiji is run by a dictator who came to power through a coup.
Although I have known Sir Michael Somare for years, my more intense dealings with him started after he was re-elected prime minister in 2002.

In the wake of our intervention in the Solomon Islands in 2003, Howard and I decided we needed to make sure PNG didn't go down the same path as the Solomons. I told Sir Michael we wanted to help improve his police force and public service. There was too much corruption and the police were becoming dysfunctional.
Our proposed new assistance scheme was called the Enhanced Co-operation Program. Let it be recorded Somare resisted this new intervention. He thought it neo-colonial. I told him we were spending $300 million of taxpayers' money a year in PNG and we weren't getting good value for money.

We were worried about where the country was heading. If we couldn't get better value for money by implementing the EPG we would have to wind back our aid substantially.
He caved in. But he never forgave me and was overjoyed when the Howard government was defeated in 2007. Kevin Rudd, he figured, would have to be better for him than Howard and Downer.
Sad to say, but you learn early in life that doing the right thing doesn't always make you popular.

Since late 2007, PNG hasn't featured much in Australian foreign policy. Sure, Australia has set up a committee to get rid of nuclear weapons (it didn't work) and sent aid to help the Arab spring. But we've lost focus on our own neighbourhood and now the most populous country in the Pacific has hit severe political turbulence. Don't get me wrong. There's nothing Australia can do to resolve the current crisis in PNG.
My guess is it will sort itself out and Somare will permanently retire. And so he should. He's been in politics for way too long. He doesn't have anything left to contribute.

But the recent political turbulence in PNG should be a sharp wake-up call in Canberra. We should have seen it coming and helped PNG avoid the crisis which has rocked it to its foundations.
PNG's stability is important to Australia. What is more, the world expects Australia to look after its own neighbourhood. When I became the shadow minister for foreign affairs in early 1995, I made a trip to PNG, including to Bougainville. I'm glad I did.

As minister, it was a country which was at the centre of much of my work. We helped end the Bougainville crisis, we contributed to rebuilding PNG's economy, we fought HIV/Aids there and so the list goes on.
But one thing always struck me. The Australian media and even much of the public had, and still have, very little interest in PNG and the Pacific. That's a pity.

So here's a real message here for Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd: Look to our immediate neighbourhood, don't just focus on the glamour issues on the other side of the world.

Alexander Downer was Foreign Affairs Minister in the Howard Government from 1996 to 2007.

BEAUTY AND THE BUFFOON SHOW

PNG politics  has become what we can all call the 'Beauty & The Buffoon Show' after Julia Gillard has made her intentions known to O'Neill and has been pushing it in Waigani and other avenues, Alexander Downer has decided to push the matter beyond doubt by coming to her rescue with a few handy pointers and even a chronology of events of his own.

Well how does that work? A blue blood die hard Liberal Party man coming to the rescue of this Labour Party red haired damsel in distress in the wilds of New Guinea with one leg in the air and the other conducting the Waigani Choir. There might just be a catch somewhere, and we know it is not political gratuity because over the years we know there was no love lost between Liberals and Labour when Downer was active. There is something sinister going on.

To even think that Downer has any reserve goodwill or inherent altruism for the nation of Papua New Guinea or its people is the statement he has made would be far from the truth. The man, even in Australian political circles is a celebrated buffoon born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and for a Rhodes scholar, he has proven himself to be far removed from the realities of his people and certainly has no cause to empathise with the unfortunate and the suffering. He lived in a political vacuum devoid of anything else but his own voice and that of Howard. He was ( and is ) the biggest Buffoon of the Pacific and Howard was the Deputy Sherriff of the Pacific, and thus characterized their foreign policy out of Canberra.

Backed up by an Irish Catholic Federal Police Commissioner in Mick Kelty, the combination of the three thought they owned the Pacific and could do as they bloody well pleased. In aid to their cause was the Australian Media Machine, co-ordinated out of the Prime Minister's Office, engineered by one very savvy bureaucrat who we shall refer to as JM for now. ( JM as most of you readers will not know was Howard's special projects man. He did the damage control and cover up jobs for Howard. He was instrumental in the Tampa/Children Overboard affair, and the Australian Wheat Board scandal in covering for Howard and Downer).

JM is now head of one of the three Intelligence Organisations housed within the Attorney Generals Offices. He is one of the most feared and most powerful public Servants in Canberra. The Press release by Downer looks very much like his handy work, and that would explain the connection between a Labor Party damsel in distress and a Liberal Buffoon to the rescue. JM probably cleverly thought what would the unsuspecting public in PNG know! He has gotten away with so much in the past by media ear bashing and brain washing.

Well today it is a little different my friend JM, damsel and buffoon. The sons of the fathers have grown up a bit and know you exist, and know what you have been doing. We prefer that you deal with us on equal and fair basis than using media subversion and all the little dirty tricks out of your many a coloured bag of tricks to swing our politics to suit your interests.

You see we know about how Downer carried a red suitcase of case full of cash via diplomatic cover to Iraq for Saddam Hussein. We know how Australian government knew of the sale of wheat by AWB to Saddam in breach of UN sanctions, and what  you JM did to cover up for Downer and Howard in the Cole Inquiry. We know about Reith and Tampa and Children overboard saga and what JM did to cover Downer and Howard's arses.

Downer, not being the Foreign Minister, can only be commentating on PNG  if he has been given a brief  by someone (like JM) with a set chronology of events to suit his push for O'Neill to be PM. Well any idiot reading Downers Chronology or statement of facts can tell he left important bits out and is misleading:
1. We have  2 PMs not  2 GGs.
2. We didn't have any legal uncertainty to replace Somare when he was in hospital. The process was clear and NEC elected to follow it. (This process was upheld by the Supreme Court.)
3. Downer is seeking to whitewash/disregard the full effect of the Supreme court decision to install Somare as the Executive Government in Parliament. He does not understand our Constitution and therefore he is misleading himself and the Australian Public.
4.All the conduct of Parliament in respect of retrospective legislation and the legitimacy of O'Neill government is subjudice as it is before the courts right now.  Downer has to respect our Judiciary. (No wonder he is still the biggest Buffoon in the Pacific. How did this guy become a Rhodes Scholar?).
5. Downer has come up with a nice convenient explanation and a smooth way to gain legitimacy via the media. Of course a little help from his mates like JM who write up stuff for him to release helps.

In the business of bulldozing policy and having his own way Downer has form. In the business of disregarding democracy and human rights and having his own way Downer has form too. His historical record includes:
1. Attempted military operation into Fiji to invade it, and only gave up when a Black hawk helicopter went down and his troops were exposed.
2. Called on PNG Military and Police and civil society to take up arms and forcefully remove a democratically elected government of Somare/Polye from its role as Government during the Moti crisis.
3. Ignored the Bougainville crisis since 1989 and most of Howard-Downer reign until New Zealand was actively involved over many years to resolve it. Downer never did any thing to resolve it although CRA too 80% of the wealth of Bougainville through Australia. Downer came much much later to try to take the kuddos away from New Zealand, but we know the credit rightfully belongs to Mckinnon of New Zealand. Downer was again acting like a Buffoon.
4. On the Human Rights scales, Downers legacy is there for all to see:
(a) David Hicks- an Australian from Downers own city of Adelaide was tortured and imprisoned by the US in Guantanamo Bay for 5 years that Downer was  Foreign Minister, without trial or any conviction, and Downer allowed this to go on! Despite thousands of petitions on behalf of Hicks to Downer he allowed this guy to be treated less than an animal. Well, what sort of an animal is Downer, who is prepared to discard one of his own citizens as a piece of garbage? Now he wants to talk about the welfare of PNG, people of another colour and race ?
(b) Mohamad Habib- similarly hijacked interned and tortured in Egypt and US by and through knowledge and Australian government, presumably his office. For Downer's acts of stupidity Habib was awarded over $30 Million in damages.
(c) Mohamad Haneef- the Gold Coast Doctor also arrested and tortured in Australia by Mick Kelty and Federal Police. Again Downer presided over this which has now resulted after an Inquiry in compensation over $10 Million to this man and his family.

And the list goes on of what Howard, Kelty and Downer did in making Australia, the Pacific and the world a scary and insecure place to live in. Most important of all they used the medium of media to try to justify their conduct and to soften society. The key man in that was this JM character. It is clear he is up to his dirty trick again in this political impasse we are experiencing in PNG.

But  really what is Downer commentating as? What is his new role in PNG? What are his new credentials because his past credentials stink! He has shown that he does not care about PNG, he wants to change whatever the elected government is just to suit himself and Australia.

I think it is better for him to enjoy his retirement, go find some open space somewhere on the fringes of Australia and wait to die. That would be the best favor he could do  the 7 million people of PNG.

We have a democracy, imperfect as it may be. We have a judiciary dealing with our political issues. We have Leaders who have stuffed this nation up. Let the courts decide. If they don't we will go to the elections and decide, my views about the legitimacy of O'Neill-Namah regime aside. Ultimately we will go to the elections and decide. We need Buffoons to keep out of our politics, and that goes for you too Julia and JM.

State-owned firms to fund O'Neill govt's hospitals rehabilitation program

 
The Port Moresby General Hospital in the PNG capital which will benefit under the O'Neill
government's hospitals rehabilitation program. Picture courtesy of Michael Schlauch

 

Some funding for the O’Neill government’s free health care and hospitals rehabilitation programs will come from dividends paid by state-owned enterprises, says Deputy Prime Minister and acting Public Enterprises Minister Belden Namah.

The DPM in the parliament-elected O'Neill government told the heads of state-owned public enterprises in a recent meeting that they would have to put in an effort to declare dividends, which would then be channelled to the two initiatives.
“The O’Neill-Namah government this week (last week) decided to provide some free medical services to the public, and to rehabilitate the nation’s hospitals. Some of the money to do this will come from public enterprise dividends. So I urge you this evening to redouble your efforts to make your businesses more efficient, and to pay dividends to the state,” said Mr Namah.
The O’Neill government has embarked on an aggressive reform program targeting state-owned enterprises (SOE) since its August 2, 2011 election, under the radar of former PM Sir Mekere Morauta who has taken on the public enterprises portfolio.
Organisations to come under scrutiny in recent months included the PNG Ports Authority, Air Niugini, PNG Power Limited and the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC), the umbrella body which holds most of the government’s commercial assets in trust including the state’s 19.4 per cent equity in the Exxon-Mobil-led PNG LNG Project.
According to Mr Namah SOEs failed to satisfactorily manage the state’s equity, provide financial support for economic and business development in rural communities and manage the state’s interest in private firms.
“These are critical roles and responsibilities that have not been fulfilled satisfactorily during the past 10 years. Therefore my government has made clear its intention to reform public enterprises through a program of continuous improvement. As of now, they now have the finances and the plans to get on with the job,” he added.
But the O’Neill government’s reform program has not been without controversy with Mr Namah reportedly suspending PNG Ports Authority CEO Brian Riches, compelling the latter to go to court seeking a stay on his suspension pending a full National Court hearing.
While no reasons were reportedly given at that time for his sidelining, Mr Namah told the SOEs’ top brass that audits had uncovered failed investments by the IPBC and PNG Ports Authority to the tune of K50 million.
Other discrepancies included the alleged disappearance of K100 million in funds belong to the Motor Vehicle Insurance Limited (MVIL) in Australia, K800 million in unauthorised borrowings and expenditure by Telikom PNG Ltd and K900 million shortfall in funding the state’s equity in the PNG LNG Project.

O'Neill cabinet approved $US10 billion hydroscheme to power PNG

The Sirinumu dam at the Sogeri plateau outside Port Moresby which currently generates electricity for the PNG capital.
 

The cabinet of parliament-elected Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has approved a submission to set up a $US5-10 billion (K12-25 billion) hydroelectricity scheme in Papua New Guinea’s Gulf province.

Preliminary studies on the scheme show that the project could generate up to 2500 megawatts of electricity, almost four times the nation’s entire present generating capacity. It would put an end to the chronic power outages that the PNG capital Port Moresby and other urban centres are currently experiencing due to increasing demand.
The submission, presented to cabinet jointly by the Minister for Public Enterprises, Sir Mekere Morauta, and the Minister for Petroleum and Energy, Mr William Duma, estimates that the project would be worth between $US5 billion and $US10 billion (K12-25 billion).
It would be the biggest power project in the Oceania region and one of the biggest projects of any sort in Papua New Guinea’s history.
“This is a very significant project that can transform the economy of the nation and in particular the Southern Region,” Acting Public Enterprises Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah said in a statement.
“It can bring power to hundreds of thousands of people in the Gulf, Western and Central Provinces, create jobs in some very disadvantaged areas, and spur agricultural and industrial development. The impact on national development and local economic opportunity of this one scheme should not be underestimated, and neither should its beneficial impact on living standards.”
The project is being promoted by the PNG government through the Independent Public Business Corporation (IPBC), in partnership with PNG Energy Developments Limited (PNGEDL), a 50-50 joint venture between PNG Sustainable Development Limited and Origin Energy of Australia.
Substantial equity will be offered to the government if the project goes ahead.
Cabinet supported the proposed scheme and directed that a working group of relevant departments and government agencies be formed to liaise with PNGEDL on a range of issues including ownership of assets, state equity, taxation arrangements and State, provincial and landowner royalties.
It also agreed to targeted import duty exemptions for the project and to consider exemptions from GST. A K250 million study under, which PNGEDL is looking at the project’s technical, social and environmental feasibility, has already begun.
The hydroelectricity scheme’s output could feed into the Port Moresby and Highlands grids and allow for the development of new industries, particularly in the Southern Region, as well as the export of electricity to Australia.
Power from the scheme would also be used for rural electrification in the Gulf and Western Provinces. About 5000 local families could be supplied with power in the early stages, and up to 300,000 families when fully operational.

MONEY LAUNDERING CAUGHT UP IN JULIA GILLARD & PETER ONEILL'S UNHOLY MARRIAGE!

Australia belongs to the ASIA PACIFIC GROUP ON MONEY LAUNDERING (APG). This group consists of many countries in the region including Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. In addition these countries have international Interpol obligations and have also entered into bi-lateral law enforcement cooperative arrangements with Australia, especially in the wake of 9/11 and the Bali Bombings. Under these arrangements, and especially under APG, all transactions above a certain amount in the banking system or known by other intelligence  automatically triggers internal reporting in Member countries, as well as to Member countries and their law enforcement agencies. Ever since the 9/11 bombings, (when  as I revealed large amounts of money were transacted by terrorists through Fijian banks)  the controls have been tightened, and the intelligence is followed and analysed on a daily basis, particularly because it has become a life and death business.

In Australia, recently passed Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorism-Financing Legislation exists to net almost anyone transacting over $10,000 in cash. All anomalies are followed through. In addition to that the Financial Transactions Reporting laws and  the Australian Transactions Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) already have files on the Three  Busketeers. (As an aside, Australia keeps a file on all PNG MPs and collates just this type of information, just in case they need it one day).

These facilities combined with the facilitation of the APG Group/Interpol reporting, Australia already has the low down on our Three Busketeers activities in relation to the $250 Million. The information kept on the main man, Capt. Namah is quite a file. It includes his visits to Casinos of Australia and how much he spends. The Casinos disclose all, as they are required by law to do.

So far the Australian government has not cried foul! They have not screamed bloody murder when the PNG Supreme Court Orders were flagrantly breached by the O'Neill-Namah regime. When the Constitution was clearly breached on 2nd August 2011 by O'Neill-Namah regime Australia kept very very quiet. It was as if O'Neill had had a private one on one with the Australian High Commissioner and got Canberra's and especially Gillard's nod before the events of 2nd of August 2011.

All the signs are clear that O'Neill did do a deal with the Australian government on his intent, and got the nod to do it. Somare, someone who grew up being told he was a native and could not drink beer in the Papua Hotel with the whites, but relegated to the natives side (outside) always knew the devils he was dealing with, and always saw through their lies. Australia never liked that, to this day. They couldn't do certain things to control PNG because he was forever an obstacle. Somare's position has always been, 'I championed Independence to free us from Australian colonial domination in every way- not to become modern day bonded slaves'.

Whatever the details of the deal  that Peter O'Neill did before  the 2nd August heist in Parliament, he was confident of Australia's support, and of course that means Post Courier's support too. Peter would have packaged and sold himself as a man of mixed parentage, that his feelings for his Australian-ness could not be doubted. That he is a modern mature business- friendly and loyal face to further Australian interests. Of course, Australia didn't sell its loyalty cheaply too. They named their price. O'Neill agreed. That was the deal.

Immediately after 2nd August 2011, Peter O'Neill flew to Canberra to sign a number of Bi-Lateral Agreements with Australia. Those Agreements consist in part what O'Neill had agreed to. The Federal Attorney Generals Office, (which also houses and administers ASIO) had been busy writing up their wish list including getting everything they wanted in 2004, but the Supreme Court of PNG had thrown them out. They waited 8 whole years for this moment. They rushed these agreements to O'Neill to sign, as per pre-arranged agreements made prior to 2nd August 2011. O'Neill did not let the ink dry, he didn't let these important Agreements to be reviewed critically by the State Solicitors Office with Independent Advice to Cabinet on their full terms and implications. No, O'Neill did not do any of  that- very very surprising and worrying indeed!

The significance of pre-2nd August 2011 understanding  between O'Neill and Australia is that O'Neill agreed to sell PNG to Australia, and Australia agreed to grant him and his government political recognition.

Australia's conduct so far has been absolutely consistent with this understanding. They have opted to take this nation ( RAMSI- Solomon Islands style), a greater prize as it is, than decry  the obvious breaches of the Constitution or rule the rule of law. They have decided they are not going to even bother Peter O'Neill trampling all over the Supreme Court and the Constitution. WHY? They have agreed , and they know what they are getting and O'Neill knows what he is getting.

Never in my wildest dreams have I thought after the Supreme Court had made its decision on the ECP Program in 2004, a Political Leader and purported Prime Minister would go and sign Agreements contradicting the explicit intent and spirit of the Supreme Court Decision.

Then again, am I to believe that the attempted impeachment of the Chief Justice an accidental idea that popped up in some one's mind as they were getting drunk at Airways, cuddling and fondling naked Asian Women serving their every whim? Perhaps not! It would seem that it was a planned act of indifference and active disobedience of the laws of this country that Australia may have planted the seed, and watered in an unholy trade-off. Australia had a hand, even if in passive silence, in the lead up softening up of the Court prior to its decision of 12th December 2011, because it had already agreed to disregard the 2004 majority Decision of the same Court on the ECP case .

The Conduct of Australia so far is consistent with it having agreed to desecrate the 2004 Supreme Court Decision on the ECP, it cannot scream at O'Neill to respect the Supreme Court Decision of 12th December 2011. Australia could not talk about governance. It could not talk about the rule of law. It could not talk about respect for decision of the Supreme Court.

Australia had traded its ability to hold any government in PNG, and indeed in the Pacific to account  on those noble , but empty, principles, for the sake of a greater prize- the sheer joy and pleasure to come back to PNG at a time such as this, nullify our political Independence, take control of this nation and its resources, so that it can grow Australia's economy! That is why, while the rest of the world, including the Queen of England who is the head of the Commonwealth, were quite shocked at what transpired on 2nd of August 2011, Julia Gillard,( even to the shock of John Key of New Zealand) was the first to offer her recognition and congratulations to Peter O'Neill, for they had become Partners in Crime, and nuptials in this unholy marriage of convenience and political expediency, where they have relegated us, the people of PNG, to the ranks of page boys and flower girls.

What did Peter O'Neill do? He sold our Pride. He sold our Dignity. He sold our Nobility. He sold our Heritage and our History of 6o,ooo years ( to a 200 year old upstart!). He sold our Integrity. He sold our Nation.

I have to say this, so that those who live in the fast land of political expediency and get rich quick schemes must know that there are somethings that we as a people of ancient makings hold fast. The things that we consider important, that defines us as a people. Not every thing that we have and we are can be bought or sold, and yet these young plebs drunk with power think they can sell everything including our dignity! My very brown arse!!!

NO PETER O'NEILL YOU CANNOT SELL US OUT. YOU CANNOT AND MUST NOT ALONG WITH YOUR NUPTIAL  JULIA GILLARD DESTROY OUR JUDICIARY. YOU CANNOT SELL US AS A PEOPLE EVEN THOUGH YOU MAY AT TIMES FEEL MORE IRISH THAN PANGIA.

What Peter O'Neill did do is, he sold his soul. BUT HE DID NOT SELL OUR SOUL AS A NATION. That is why, I stand my ground, and I rule a line in the sand, where my fathers stood and where their fathers stood, the very same sand, and say to you Julia Gillard, SHAME ON YOU! SHAME ON YOU! YOUR DEEDS HAVE FOUND YOU OUT!

The announcement recently by the Acting Australian High Commissioner recognizing Peter O'Neill is consistent with the pre-2nd August 2011 pact. The 2nd August 2011 heist was a pre-meditated action in which Australia was an important part lending credibility and certainty. Australia went so far it could not pull out after the 12th December 2011 Supreme court decision. Australia has been waiting in the wings hoping the situation would resolve itself, but it didn't, and the recent military so called mutiny ( self created by O'Neill-Namah to grant themselves credibility) was used as the opening to recognize O'Neill as Prime Minister.

Australia couldn't stoop any lower than the gutters, but that is where it finds itself today on the charts of Great Nations and on the Charts of Democracy. Today every PNGian needs to hold his head high and be proud, because we, unlike certain people, do not go around selling our nation or our souls. We respect the Constitution, the rule of law and decisions of the Supreme Court which is more than what Australia has proven capable of! SHAME! SHAME! SHAME.!

It is therefore and in the context of this unholy marriage between Julia Gillard and Peter O'Neill that the Australian Authorities cannot do what is right in pursuing and revealing what they know about the activities and the files of the THREE BUSKETEERS OF WAIGANI. Australia is not being a responsible neighbour and is failing to discharge its International obligations in matters of Money Laundering, tax Evasion and combating Terrorism.

Again I hold grave fears for our democracy because countries like Australia who tasked themselves to coordinate and operate  our Interpol obligations, who speak often of regional law enforcement, cannot lift one finger to save us, when it does not suit them politically.

I urge all PNGians to note that this is a typical Canberra thing. The views of millions of decent Australians would be to do the right thing. Canberra always tells us to do one thing, when it does the very opposite. That is why Canberra is good at double tonguing, double talking and being double faced.

One Country

Sonja Barry Ramoi via Facebook Say's Colonel Yaura Sasa is a hero!

WTF! You must be pulling my leg – surely?

Sonja Barry Ramoi via Facebook
In the preamble of the Constitution of the Independent State of Papua New Guineait is stated “that we reject violence and seek consensus as a means of solving our common problems”. Retired Colonel Yaura Sasa, who was recently recalled to active duty by Supreme Court Elect Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare, upheld that very vow when he went willingly, yesterday, to Police Head Quarters in Port Moresby for questioning.
In an exclusive phone interview in the early hours of Sunday morning, Colonel Sasa advised that he had intended on presenting himself to the police in order to defuse tensions building up to a confrontation.
It is unfortunate that Colonel Sasa’s aim in publicly calling upon both the Supreme Court Elect Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and Parliament Elect Prime Minister Peter O’Neil to resolve their differences within 7 days has been misinterpreted.
Colonel Sasa is now paying the price for his courage and conviction in upholding and honouring the Constitution, however he will still go down in PNG history as a hero in the minds of many Papua New Guineans for doing just that.
“I know in my own conscience that I am okay, so no need to argue”, Colonel Sasa said – in reference to how the media has portrayed him as a mutineer.
In his first press conference, broadcast around the world, Colonel Sasa made it clear that “it is not a military coup”, it is however unclear, at this stage, what offence he has been charged with.
When I last spoke with Colonel Sasa, before his phone went dead, he was in good humour, despite hours of going through a record of interview at police HQ without his lawyer present. When I asked him what the police intend to charge him with…he replied “mutiny”.”

Police charge the man behind the mutiny

January 29, 2012 
Liam Fox
Police in Papua New Guinea have arrested and charged the man who led last week’s failed military mutiny.
Colonel Yaura Sasa was arrested at a lodge in the Port Moresby suburb of Boroko saturday night.
Sunday he made a brief appearance in the Waigani committal court.
Outside court Colonel Sasa said he had been charged with mutiny, but that he is not guilty.
He said he does not regret his actions but that he hopes the situation will now calm down.
He also complained about his treatment at the hands of authorities
“Last night when I was down at the police headquarters I had no access to a lawyer up until now, so the procedures that I went through, it doesn’t seem right,” he said.
After the court appearance he was taken back to the Boroko police station under heavy guard.
Last Thursday, Colonel Sasa and around 20 rebel soldiers stole into Murray Barracks and took the commander of the defence force hostage.
He said he had been appointed as the new commander by Sir Michael Somare, and demanded Sir Michael be reinstated as prime minister.
But before the day was over, the commander had been freed and the rebels had withdrawn from defence headquarters.

LNG Watch calls for an independent investigation into the Hides disaster

LNG Watch

While the facts surrounding the tragic Hides landslide remain sketchy, prima facie evidence is being produced which indicates this was not purely a natural disaster. While it is important at this stage that people remain focused on the rescue efforts, serious attention must be given to the cause of this disaster. LNG Watch, therefore, fully supports James Marape’s (Hela Transitional Authority Chairman) call for an independent investigation into the landslide.

While the geophysics of the area may have made the landslide an inherent risk, the critical question is – did the work of ExxonMobil (or its subsidaries) increase the risk of the landslide? If so, why did the company fail to identify this risk, and put in place the proper safety measures? Moreover, the investigation must also focus on the state. It has a regulatory duty to the citizens of PNG to ensure industry conducts itself in a safe and competent manner.

We know from recent events in Madang involving the Ramu mine, that the national government prefers to see itself as a business partner, not a regulator. Has this attitude helped create the environment in which unsafe industrial practices can proliferate, leading to events such as the recent landslide?

Of course, we must be clear, LNG Watch is not accusing ExxonMobil of criminal conduct; however, fundamental questions need to be answered. The only way they can be answered to a standard that will give peace to the relatives of victims, is if an independent inquiry takes place. Moreover, this independent inquiry needs to include a broad range of experts from a variety of fields if it is to be robust. We hope the O’Neil government has the courage to break with the past business-partner model, so that this event can be scrutinised properly.

Somare admits responsibility for military mutiny

From AFP
Ousted Papua New Guinea prime minister Sir Michael Somare has defended ordering a failed military mutiny, again insisting Friday he was the country’s legitimate leader.
Political tensions flared in the resource-rich but impoverished Pacific nation on Thursday when an ex-soldier loyal to Somare staged a dramatic grab to re-take power from current premier Peter O’Neill.
Former colonel Yaura Sasa led a pre-dawn mutiny, taking captive the head of the armed forces, Francis Agwi, and declaring himself the new military leader, reinforcing the country’s reputation as politically dysfunctional.
Sasa set a seven-day deadline for Somare to be restored as leader, warning that he “may be forced to take necessary actions to protect and uphold the integrity of the constitution” if his demand was not met.
But the rebellion was soon put down with O’Neill declaring the crisis over in the evening after arresting 15 of the 30 men loyal to Sasa and securing the withdrawal of the others and the release of Agwi.
O’Neill said Sasa was being “dealt with” by the appropriate authorities with reports on Friday suggesting he was demanding a full pardon for himself and his supporters.
“He is seeking a pardon, that is what is being said, but I can’t confirm that yet,” police Superintendent Dominic Kakas told AFP.
Somare, 75, said the mutiny was a legitimate response to the O’Neill camp not recognising a Supreme Court ruling in December that he was the rightful prime minister.
“We cannot allow this situation to continue where a rogue government commandeers the disciplinary forces,” Somare said in a statement sent by his daughter Betha to AFP.
“It is incumbent on the police and army to comply with the orders of the Supreme Court and support the legitimate government, which is the minority Somare/Agiru government.
“It is for this reason that my government appointed Colonel Yaura Sasa to take control of the PNGDF (Papua New Guinea Defence Force) while we await other outcomes of the court,” he added.
“We are the legitimate government constitutionally formed in 2007 and restored by the five-men Bench of the Supreme Court.”
Known as the “Grand Chief”, Somare led PNG for almost half of its 36 years since independence but was removed from office while out of the country recovering from illness last year.
The Supreme Court subsequently declared him the rightful leader, plunging the country into turmoil before O’Neill eventually resumed the role after Governor General Michael Ogio rowed back on Somare’s appointment.
Somare has consistently refused to recognise O’Neill’s leadership, storming into parliament as recently as last week with the Supreme Court order to demand his reinstatement.
O’Neill said he may move to dissolve parliament next month and go to early polls to end the current political impasse, while lashing out at Somare’s “desperate” tactics.
“Papua New Guinea deserves better from Somare,” he said.
“Somare has to realise that this country has looked after him for 45 years; now it is his turn to respect the country that respects him.”

GUNS LIKELY TO CAUSE HAVOC IN 2012 NATIONAL ELECTIONS

              

 Last year Friday, February 18, 2011 A meeting of senior police officers in Mt Hagen was held to discuss the security aspect of the 2012 national elections. One of the topics that came up, again and again in that meeting, is the prevalence of firearms and the threat they pose on the elections. To show the police bosses the seriousness of the matter, Mt Hagen Police showed the police chiefs two M16 rifles, five other factory-made guns, and eight military issued grenades confiscated from raids into villages around this highlands city.

The demonstration was to send a clear message to the top brass of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary that the accumulation of illegal firearms in the Highlands is a real threat to the coming national elections.

Guns have left thousands traumatised and have the seriously grave potential to bring Papua New Guinea down to its knees. Statistics compiled by the police force, show that there is overwhelming evidence that the majority of serious crimes like robbery, break and enter and stealing and murder involved guns.

In almost all instances of crime, guns, whether home-made or factory-made, were reportedly used, according to former Internal Security Minister Sani Rambi who informed Parliament in July last year during a debate on the gun problem in the country. Police and local leaders in the Highlands – one of four regions in PNG - known for tribal fighting, say the high proliferation and use of firearms in rural communities has the potential to turn the country upside down. Every household now owns a gun illegally. The members of the household contribute money and buy the weapon. Some of the most modern weapons fetch up to K3000. It is a lucrative business.

Apart from guns, there are hand grenades and other explosive devices that are in the hands of the villagers. The media reported early last year that in a tribal fighting in Southern Highlands, a hand grenade was thrown at the enemy positions which blew up five people. The same reports also told of how the police, moving in to stop an ethnic clash in the remote Sembrigi area in that province, had to give up after they were confronted by warriors armed with weapons much superior to their’s.

PNG can talk about development, the multibillion kina liquefied natural gas project and other resource projects, but without law and order, PNG might as well forget everything. That is agreed by businesses as well as senior government ministers.

“The proliferation of illegal guns within our communities is making it very difficult to have law and order,” Mr Rambi had told Parliament last year.

The Government of Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare moved in 2005 to deal with the gun issue in a big way. It established the PNG Guns Control Committee, headed by a former PNG Defence Force Commander Brigadier General Jerry Singirok.

The Committee travelled the length and breadth of the country, held consultative meetings with all stakeholders and seven months later, produced a thick report, which contained 244 recommendations to address the guns issue. The report covered leadership and democracy, governance and service delivery, legislation, rules and operations, borders and trade, social and community development, reduction of weapons for safer communities and public awareness.

Seven years later, the government is yet to act on the recommendations, although there have been calls from the Opposition as well as concerned citizens in the country for the report to be implemented.

Today the situation has developed to a level where the use of guns is associated with the deteriorating law and order problem in PNG. And the State is unable to to exercise its authority and control because of various reasons.

Everyone agrees that illegal guns are today instruments of violence and death and its proliferation is getting out of control. And the situation has gone from being a major problem in urban areas to a much bigger problem in the rural areas.

All eyes are on the meeting in Mt Hagen. For Acting Police Commissioner Tony Wagambie and his men, they have an uphill battle on their hands. Whatever plan the police come up with, it will require the support of everyone to eradicate the gun culture in PNG .

Lets bring back this Issue to light !

Mangi Tari

Global ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has according to Reuters revised its outlook for the PNG economy to negative following yesterday’s events And bad signal

 

Papua New Guinea’s attraction as an investment destination has taken a hit following yesterday’s failed attempt by pro-Somare soldiers to remove the O’Neill government.

Global ratings agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) has according to Reuters revised its outlook for the PNG economy to negative following yesterday’s events, when pro-Somare soldiers placed their commander under house arrest and tried to forcefully reinstate the Somare government.
S&P also warned that it would lower its ratings on PNG further if the two sides led by Supreme Court-reinstated Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare and his parliament-elected rival Peter O’Neill failed to break the stalemate.
“Political settings in PNG have weakened following the detention and later release of the defense force chief. We would lower the ratings if the political friction remains unresolved, leading to a loss of donor support and investment required to diversify the economy and buttress PNG's government finances and external position,” said S&P in revising down the outlook for PNG, whose 'B+/B' sovereign credit rating was affirmed.
The two rivals groups have returned to the Supreme Court. The O’Neill camp has asked for its interpretation of retrospective legislation which parliament enacted in response to its December 12, 2011 ruling, while their rivals have asked PNG’s high court to reinforce its decision which reinstated Sir Michael as PM.
There appears to be no end in sight with Betha Somare, Sir Michael’s daughter and press secretary, telling Australian journalists following yesterday’s failed mutiny that the standoff will continue.
“There will still be a stand-off. They're (the O'Neill government) not going to move against my folks,” she reportedly said.
Sir Michael has confirmed Yaurra Sasa, the army colonel who was brought out of retirement to lead the failed mutiny at the PNG army headquarters Murray Barracks, was appointed by his cabinet and directed to “take control” of the PNG Defence Force.
“It is incumbent on the police and army to comply with the orders of the Supreme Court and support the legitimate government, which is the minority Somare/Agiru government. It is for this reason that my government had appointed Colonel Yaurra Sasa to take control of the PNGDF while we await other outcomes of the court,” he said in a statement.
Refusal by senior PNGDF officers at Murray Barracks and other military establishments outside Port Moresby to back Colonel Sasa eventually led to the arrest of the renegade soldiers and the freeing of army commander Brig-General Francis Agwi.
The rebel soldiers’ unsuccessful attempt to force the reinstatement of the Somare government has reportedly compelled Mr O’Neill to consider dissolving parliament in order to force early elections.

The struggle for power between Parliament elect Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the Supreme Court reinstated Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is far from over.

Mutiny!

The struggle for power between Parliament elect Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and the Supreme Court reinstated Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is far from over.
This follows a failed mutiny — the first ever in this country’s Defence Force — led by a retired army officer supported by about 40 gun-totting soldiers who stormed the military headquarters of the PNG Defence Force at Murray Barracks in Port Moresby in the early hours of Thursday January 26, catching everyone by surprise.
The mutineers placed the commander, Brigadier General Francis Agwi under house arrest and installed retired colonel, 65-year- old Yaura Sasa as commander.
The drama unfolded first at the Taurama Barracks, home of the 1st Royal Pacific Islands Regiment where the mutineers, placed their own Commander Officer Lt. Colonel Francis Kari under house arrest and then proceeded to Murray Barracks.
As the drama unfolded at the PNGDF headquarters, Police, who were aware of the mutiny threat went into action and secured all strategic locations and government institutions including state house, Government printer and Mourata House, the seat of Government.
“We were all caught by surprise. Fully armed soldiers moved into the barracks and cut power off, proceeded to the residence of the officer who looked after the armoury and ordered him out. They led him at gun point to open the armoury and armed themselves,” an eye witness told Post-Courier.
The mutineers, in a press conference with the local media demanded that the Parliament be recalled in seven days and Sir Michael be restored as the Prime Minister. They also demanded that all entitlements for retrenched and former soldiers of the PNGDF be paid promptly by the State.
While the mutineers lay siege to the defence headquarters, soldiers loyal to their commander watched helplessly from a distance at the main barracks. Eye witnesses told Post-Courier the mutineers that fired on the soldiers to disperse them, sending the public running for cover and had had to move in to close all roads leading into the barracks.
“This is mutiny and the actions of the soldiers borders of treason too,” Government Chief secretary, Manasupe Zurenuoc told Post Courier.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, in a press conference later said normalcy was restored following at the PNG Defence Force headquarters.
And he put the blame squarely on Sir Michael for inciting an illegal take over of the force’s Commander, Francis Agwi, with retrenched colonel, Yaura Sasa.
And he warned in no uncertain terms that perpetrators of the mutiny would face the full brunt of the law adding Mr Sasa himself will be dealt with by the “appropriate authorities” tasked to handle the matter.
“I expected the rule of law to apply,” he said.
Mr O’Neill announced that his deputy, Belden Namah, had been appointed as Acting Defence Minister to deal with the situation, releiiving Minister Guma Wau of duties.
As of 5pm the situation at the army headquarters was neutralised. The mutineers had returned to their barracks and the commander was freed.
Post Courier understands that retired Colonel Sasa will be arrested soon.
The UN and all diplomatic missions in the country also watched the development in the Port Moresby. The Australia Foreign Affairs Department has issued an alert to its citizens in the city to be careful when moving around.

Did Arthur Somare plan Thursday’s mutiny by Yauru Sasa?

It has been revealed that Michael Somare’s son, Arthur, planned  Thursday’s mutiny executed by retired colonel Yaura Sasa.
It is understood, that Arthur and a few other loyal Somare supporters, who have been residing at the Ela Beach hotel, spent some time planning the mutiny and left written notes  on a white board which contained the words: MILITARY ACTION, as an action point.
The  board, which was later placed in a corridor, attracted a great deal of attention by passersby.
From a small article in The Drum,  the Post Courier said:

“maybe a currently suspended MP whose hotel room has been the hub for huge comings and goings for more than a week now can explain the board he left in his room when he checked out. It was there in the corridor for all to see. A strategy on how to return his father to power and No 4 on the list? Military Action! Maybe just a coincidence after the clownish performance by the retired colonel?”

Several other officers  involved in the mutiny have admitted that the Somares gave the orders  to place PNGDF Commander Timothy Agwi and others under house arrest.

The battle is harder for O’Neill

Source: The National, 

WE all are aware that the season for politics is approaching.
Intending candidates and sitting members plus the political parties will very soon go head-to-head in the race.
Our OLIPAC system allows for the party with the largest number to form the government.
It still remains a guessing game who will be our next prime minister after the 2012 election in June.
 In recent days the coalition partners that make up the O’Neill-Namah government had been camping out, setting up offices and declaring war on the Somare regime.
Yet, we need to remind ourselves that in the political upheaval a few weeks ago all the partners in the O’Neill-Namah government showed strength of solidity and promised the country that they would not endorse a candidate against a sitting member in their camp.
With recent events by the Don Polye group to form a new political party and claiming the MPs who deserted the former National Alliance to be in their camp showed that he will be pushing for the top post. Belden Namah and PNG Party are set to open 20 provincial centres.
Gireku Gipe
Bialla

PM CALLS FOR EARLY ELECTION

PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill, shaken by  mutiny by rebel troops, will move to dissolve parliament next month and go to early polls to end the current political impasse.
He said he would seek his government’s blessing to bring forward the scheduled June general election.
O’Neill said this after announcing that the day-long mutiny by the 30 rebels, led by retrenched colonel Yaura Sasa, at Murray Barracks headquarters, was over.

Fifteen of the soldiers have been arrested and Sasa was being “dealt with” but O’Neill declined to clarify what this meant (details, see Page 2).
O’Neill said he would ask his government during the February session of parliament whether they should pursue the option of an early election.

“We are looking at going for early election as quickly as possible to end this political impasse and we hope the Electoral Commission is ready for early elections,” he said.
O’Neill said this yesterday when he accused the Somare camp of inciting mutiny at the Murray Barracks and trying to illegally take over the Papua New Guinea defence force
“The dramatic situation at the Murray barracks yesterday morning demonstrates the desperate length Somare can go to wrestle government,’’ O’Neill said.

“Somare tried to cleverly manipulate an internal issue in the force to his advantage, to use the military to take government by force.”
O’Neill late yesterday commended senior military officers for restoring control at Murray Barracks and thanked the public for showing restraint despite the drama.
O’Neill said issues relating to the soldiers’ grievances would be addressed - including ending the political uncertainty by dissolving parliament.

In a dramatic turn of events at Murray barracks yesterday, a group of soldiers led by retrenched PNGDF Col Yaura Sasa detained Commander Francis Agwi at his residence.
“Yesterday morning, a group of soldiers illegally and unlawfully placed PNGDF Commander Brig-Gen Francis Agwi under house arrest and tried to take control of the country’s defence force,” O’Neill said.
“Without any lawful authority, retrenched Sasa declared himself the commander, held a press conference and made political statements he had no authority to make.”

O’Neill said retrenched Sasa was not appointed by the government to replace Agwi.
“He has no legal and valid instrument to back his claim that he is the commander. He is a civilian who was misled by the Somare camp to carry out an illegal and unlawful act.
“The action by Sasa has no support of the rank and file of the PNG Defence Force. His attempt to take over the force has now been neutralised, and normalcy has been restored at Murray barracks.
“By his public statement, it is clear Sasa was used to stage this illegal act to call for the implementation of the Supreme Court decision. He has no authority to make this statement, He is a civilian who is not supposed to be at the barracks at all.

“As we are all aware, the Supreme Court handed down its decision on Dec 12.”
He said parliament took note of the decision and disposed of it by making a number of legislative changes and decisions, one of which was to reaffirm him as prime minister.
O’Neill said the Supreme Court decision, and the decision of parliament, were now the subject of various court proceedings before the National and Supreme Court.

He said the proceedings were initiated by both sides and awaiting the outcome of these proceedings.
“But what we have witnessed is a desperate attempt by Somare to trample on proper and legal processes to get into government,” he said.
O’Neill said Sir Michael had been looked after by the country for 45 years and he owed it to the seven million people of PNG.
“Sir Michael as the founding father of this nation should not be creating uncertainty,” he said.
O’Neill said those responsible for the drama at Murray barracks would be dealt with - including Sir Michael and those supporting him.

The National

Mek wants LLG disolved

Source: The National Thursday, 26th January 2012

By GIBSON TORASO
UPNG journalism student
JIWAKA’S North Waghi local level government president Dorum Mek is urging the national government to dissolve the LLG because there is no funding for it and its members are only paid allowances.
Mek said with the creation of reserved women’s seats and the increasing number of electorates with the two new provinces of Jiwaka and Hela, “where is the funding to cater for these extra members if the government cannot fund local level governments”.
“We are the third level government representatives who are close to the people and know what people need and lack but where is the funding to deliver these services,” he asked.
Mek said since there was no separate funding for the LLGs, the government should consider abolishing
them.
He said it was a waste of time claiming to be a councillor when they were only paid allowances.
Mek said LLGs must be effectively funded to deliver much needed services at the rural level.
He claimed elected MPs “are continuously misusing the people’s money and people are not happy with the way they are treated because they are not benefiting and do not know where their money goes”.
“There is no change with DSIP funding or district improvement services fund.
“Councillors and our people don’t know what the MPs are doing to deliver much needed services in our respective LLGs,” Mek said.
He said being a LLG member was a waste of time.
“We are just carrying our title as councillors and that is embarrassing.
“I strongly condemn the national government for not directly funding local level governments and urge the national government to abolish LLGs as it is wasting our time.”

Speed up free education

The Government’s much publicised free education has hit a snag. From reports we are getting, schools in Port Moresby are refusing to accept students until the fees are paid in full, either by the Government or the parents.
We are told that some schools are turning away students because they have yet to receive their share of the K350 million that was released by the Government. What we are told is that the Government has already put the money into the bank and it is now up to the Department of Education and Bank South Pacific to speed up the work so that all the schools should get their money by the end of this month.
It is true that some schools do not have bank accounts and for these schools, the management should make it a priority to open up new bank accounts and give the details to the Education Department and the BSP bank.
It is now obvious that the students are going to be victimised for something they are not responsible for. For many parents, they do not have the money to pay the fees because they believed that the Government was going to pay and they did not bother to save money for the fees.
In this situation, the Government is also unfairly being criticised because it has done its part. We urged the Education Department and the BSP to hurry up and put the money into the school accounts by the end of the month.
On another matter, we take note of comments made by North Wahgi MP and Chairman of the Jiwaka Transitional Authority about the role of the media. Mr Mul was critical the the journalists that did the stories did not get his side of the story.
Mr Mul was accused of ordering Rotary Australia out of Jiwaka Province by a Frank Goi. The story was carried in both dailies.
Mr Goi, we have now established, is contesting the North Wahgi seat and he is riding on the back of the work Rotary Australia is doing in Jiwaka. Mr Goi is the manager of the Rotary Jiwaka project.
Mul accused both dailies for being biased in their reporting and asked that this type of reporting cease because the elections are drawing near.
We totally agree with Mr Mul.
As the elections draw near, a lot of intending candidate will use the media to throw mud at the sitting MPs. It is important that all journalists should always run the information they have by the MPs and others to check its accuracy before the story is published.
Election in Papua New Guinea is a serious business and a wrong quote; a biased, inaccurate story can cause immense damage to the reputation of people and institutions.
It can also inflame or cause hostilities to flare up between communities.
In places like the Highlands, tribal fighting can be ignited.
As members of the media, we urge all to ensure that our journalists must visit their code of ethics and make sure they know them by heart. We, as media organisations, must also make it our business to make sure that our journalists understand the code of ethics and apply them in their day to day work.

Tari students miss out on grade 8 exams How ?

More than 100 grade eight Hiwanda primary students did not sit their exams last year in Tari, Hela Province.
Former Hiwanda primary school headmaster Samson Emola said yesterday that the school was burnt down to ashes last year between August-September in a tribal fight and more than 100 student (could not remember exact number of students) who could sit for their exams.
He said that the southern highlands provincial education advisers and Tari district administration did nothing to secure space in neighbouring schools for the students to sit for the exams.
“My daughter who was supposes to sit for her grade eight exams was left missing and tried to negotiate with Watle Primary school-a nearby school to sit for her exam, the school charged me K1000 so I left my daughter at home,” He said.

Mutiny in PNG The BackGround Story

Mutiny underway in PNG

The retired colonel who claims to have seized control of Papua New Guinea's military has threatened to use "necessary force" to resolve the country's political stand-off.

Colonel Yaura Sasa has told reporters in Port Moresby that soldiers under his control fired several shots this morning as they stormed barracks and took defence force commander Francis Agwi hostage under house arrest.
The former defence attaché to Indonesia said the action did not amount to a military mutiny or takeover, but said he had been appointed commander by former prime minister Sir Michael Somare.
He called on Sir Michael and prime minister Peter O'Neill to return to parliament to resolve what he called the country's constitutional impasse within seven days.
If that did not happen, he warned he would use "necessary force" to "restore the integrity and respect for the constitution and the judiciary."
The press conference took a bizarre twist when Colonel Sasa had to answer the phone on the desk in front of him.
"I'm sorry, I'm right in the middle of the [inaudible]," he said. "Can you give me a call within the next 10 minutes?"
Earlier, a senior source in the PNG defence force told the ABC that a group of between 12 and 20 soldiers overpowered guards at the Taurama barracks around 3:00am this morning.
They took the commanding officer captive, then moved to Murray Barracks and placed Commander Agwi under house arrest. When the conflict erupted last month, Commander Agwi recognised Mr O'Neill as the country's legitimate prime minister.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is warning Australians in Port Moresby to avoid travelling in the city because of "disturbances" at the barracks.
Businesses across the city were closing this morning and workers were being sent home amid a tense atmosphere.

Brother and MP Sasa Zibe

 A spokesman for Mr O'Neill's office said the government had not cleared any change to the defence force hierarchy.
DFAT said it was concerned by the developments and says Australia's High Commissioner in Port Moresby has spoken to Mr O'Neill about the situation.
Sir Michael was ousted as prime minister and replaced by Mr O'Neill in August last year after his seat was declared vacant while he received medical treatment in Singapore.
In December, the Supreme Court ordered his reinstatement as prime minister and as an MP.
But despite that order, Mr O'Neill remained the effective prime minister with the support of the public service, police, defence force and most MPs.
Last week there were rowdy scenes in the parliament when Sir Michael walked in brandishing the court order and demanding his reinstatement.
He was warned by Mr O'Neill that he could be arrested if he showed up again.
Today a former commander of the PNG defence force, General Jerry Singirok, said the politicians must sort themselves out in order to end the army mutiny.
"I am just calling on the speaker for parliament, Jeffrey Nape, to convene parliament and O'Neill and Belden Namah's group come and resolve this issue on the floor of parliament with Sir Michael Somare and his group," he said.
"I think that's the only way that we can resolve this."

ABC

Belden, Boito and Basil - The three "B"-Usketeers of Waigani on Criminal Watch-List all over the world for tax evasion and money laundering

'I am the condor, I fly over you who glide and suddenly in a wheeling of wind, feather, claws I assault you and I lift you in a whistling cyclone... Female Falcon! let us paunch, upon this red and white prey
Let us tear life that passes throbbing and lift together our wild flight.'' (Anonymous Author)

As time passes, and as politicians, youthful and inexperienced,  prone to accident, quick to act and slow to reason, slip and fall on another of their banana peels, the whole spectacle would have moved on. New conquests and their attendant controversies clutter the public memory. The feeling of violation of trust, and the deep disgust we felt over the idea of an obscene amount of cash like US$250 million smuggled secretly into the country by those whom we have mandated to wield executive and legislative powers becomes something of the past. Our consciences encumbered by new obscenities, eyes glued on new moves in this game of political gymnastics for legitimacy, and our souls preoccupied with new reasons to cringe under.

The spectacle and the show that is 'Waigani" , on par and synonymous with box office hits like 'Pacifica", 'Rio' and 'New York"  has moved on. The 2012 season promises to be bigger and better; and the trials of yesterday with their juicy and thrilling entrails have all but been forgotten.

 And this is something we do so well in this country. We forgive so easily and we forget so easily, a trait of Melanesian society, perhaps sometimes to our own disadvantage. We do not allow history to be our teacher. We seek out showmen, magicians and pied pipers to lead us into a past less future.

Before you get comfortable in your armchairs or floors to watch that reality show, let me remind you that the men at the centre of yesterdays controversy are not sleeping tonight. They are busy scheming the next big steal, more daring and more exhilarating than yesterday. The men who flew in the huge bag of money are not sleeping tonight. Unlike your little savings at BSP, huge amounts of cash in duffel bags and double shoe boxes have a way of screaming at those who possess them. The cash has a way of owning the man. The man forgets whether it is day or night, for he has no way of knowing and telling how high is high and how low is low. So they are not sleeping tonight, driving around in their 5 door land cruisers with the usual entourage.

You see unlike a man or woman who does an honest days work and earns his daily or weekly keep, these men have not raised a sweat on their brow from their hand to the fields. A few telephone calls, expensive spirits in expensive restaurants. Private jets, massage parlours, champagne on tap and all the carnal pleasures that a Foreign Member of Parliament and Minister of government can enjoy in one night; and laying his exhausted body down to lay, sliding between cool satin sheets, he closes his eyes and just before he glides and thrusts over fields of yellow and red clover, he sighs, what a night of work for Papua New Guinea!

Rising early, he recounts the night gone and smiles in remembrance of the gains, the handshakes, smiles, strange men in whispered pacts sealed with countless nods, united only in the cause of power and deception.

Life could have been blue sky all the way, except for the two warriors of the sky over Southern Sulawesi. They were no condors, although they soared and glided like condors on the up breeze, thriving on the thermal dynamics,  poised to swoop and go in for the kill. Confident in their shiny mettle, weapons poised, they waited. The word never came. They peeled away.

Inside the prey, the confident upbeat mood in the cabin suddenly changed. The cabin grew dark and very warm. Hearts racing, eyes peeled, necks strained, eyes trained, the mood was complete panic, and everyone wanted to take a leak at the same moment. Two did in their pants. The strangers spoke first, in Chinese motioning to each other. The wealthy stranger was quite animated. The Honourable ones, sat there, blood drained from their faces, and Sam Basil looked as if he just saw a ghost.

The three MPs had the same question running through their minds, but no one dared ask it for the next 10 minutes. Then Boito asked, Lida yu ting ol save?- nodding to the cargo they were carrying. Belden annoyed at being disturbed declares 'No F''ing way'. Basil keeps saying over and over again, muttering, " I shouldn't have come", until Belden tells him to shut up and get a hold of himself. Belden then asserts himself and excitedly gives a military perspective on what just happened, until disturbed by the Captains assuring voice over the intercom. The cabin relieved the threat was over, they settle back, some to their troubled slumber while others opened the blue label pure  and passed the ice and glasses around to settle their nerves, as they made their way home.

What they didn't know is, the large  amount of cash transacted, how it was packed in the plane and the flight plan and manifest was already in hundreds of computers all over the world, including the US. Law enforcement agencies all over the world received simultaneous reports from Malaysian, Singaporean and Indonesian authorities. These authorities also tipped the Somare Government and its Foreign Minister off on the activities the THREE BUSKETEERS OF WAIGANI.

When the plane landed at Jackson's airport, it was no secret flight anymore. The media being alerted was there and took photographs of the laden plane landing with its cargo of contraband and the perpetrators. That photograph is now the famous front page photograph. All the pieces of the puzzle are already known to the regional intelligence community.

The money was brought in in November 2011 in preparation for the December 2011 Supreme Court Decision, to buy all government and law enforcement apparatus, to ensure they would render whatever the Supreme Court Decision a nullity. At the same time a certain foreign female lawyer was secretly entertained by one of the THREE BUSKETEERS to get to the bottom of the finer points of the law, and the dark arts of obfuscation, in preparation for the December anticipated decision. Her advice was always soothing and relieving to the troubled mind.

It is in these contexts that Peter O'Neill and Belden Namah have  employed the input of Nape and the Delilah of Waigani, to  deliberately plunge our country into a Constitutional impasse borne out of premeditated disobedience and obfuscation by these leaders of the orders of the Supreme Court. They have then set upon using the cash brought in to consolidate this lie and fabricated government held together with band aid and sticky tape. There is no truth in the O'Neill-Namah regime. It is all held together by lies and deception. In public they appear united, but behind the scenes and at night they are at their throats.

The Laundered money, all cash, once again has a way of clouding a man's judgement. A man can have extraordinary abilities when he is drowning in cash. He also has the ability not to realize he is drowning. In such a moment, when the controversy over the Indonesian Fighter incident hit the papers, Namah went for the people responsible for tipping PNG government off, and for O'Neill.

Now that appears to be something of the past. Well is it? The money is still around. The THREE BUSKETEERS are still kicking. Will we see free elections, or elections bought out by obscene amounts of cash. Will we see a free and Independent Judiciary, or will we see them getting bought out by people wielding huge bags of cash?

My fellow citizens, if we want to save our nation, we must get behind our judiciary and call on them to be true to their oath of allegiance to the Constitution, to the coat of arms, and to the people of this nation. They must remain free and independent and reject the bags of money doing the rounds. The Judges of the National Court and Supreme Courts must be allowed to do their jobs without interference by the likes of the THREE BUSKETEERS & O'Neill.

Australia must come out now in support of the rule of law. They were so quick to condemn Fiji, but in PNG they have their noses deep in the trough of O'Neill. Julia Gillard is in O'Neill's pocket, or the other way around. How will this country and its judiciary freely uphold the rule of law, uphold the constitution and democracy, if O'Neill and Gillard keep living in each others pockets?

Australia must speak out against this government buying and  breaking down the Police and army as if they are its private police and private army. Australia must reveal the truth about the Falcon Jet, and the money being laundered, for the sake of democracy in this country.

If Australia wants to wait and allow this country to fail and then come in and take our resources, then the true sons of this nation will not allow it. We will not allow Australia to play these silly games. Australia must always stand for the truth and reveal the truth about whats going on, including the money being laundered. At the moment it is telling lies. It must reveal the truth about Belden Boito and Basil on criminal watch lists for tax evasion and money laundering, and tell us what they are going to do about it.

ONECOUNTRY