02-21-2012, 07:08 PM
>> It's time for him to cut his losses and quietly fade away into the ozzie sunset... that is, if they will let him now that he's pissin' on them too
Michael Somare's team slams the Gillard government for interfering with PNG politics
by: Rowan Callick
From: The Australian
February 22, 2012 12:00AM
THE Michael Somare team, which has failed to regain power in Papua New Guinea, yesterday launched a vitriolic attack on the Gillard government for backing the rival cabinet led by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.
Sir Michael's defence spokesman, Andrew Kumbakor, released an open letter saying Canberra "cannot interfere in domestic PNG politics by picking and choosing what leadership it prefers".
He said Australia had been involved with PNG for too long not to realise there were discrepancies in the behaviour of Speaker Jeffery Nape and parliament in choosing a new prime minister on August 2 without establishing that Sir Michael, undergoing medical treatment in Singapore, had vacated the office.
"Prime Minister Gillard eagerly congratulated and embraced the illegal regime of Mr O'Neill," whom she "received with open arms during his state visit to Australia late last year", Mr Kumbakor said.
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Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has also come under fire for failing to engage sufficiently with PNG as the constitutional crisis played out. "It is for Papua New Guineans to resolve their political differences," Mr Kumbakor told parliament this month.
He said that since PNG's Supreme Court had by a 3-2 ruling ordered the return of Sir Michael to the prime ministership in December, "Australia has maintained its engagement with the illegal regime".
"The regime's contemptuous conduct has not drawn any condemnation from Ms Gillard or the Australian government."
Such an approach when "a regime is using the police force to intimidate the public is incomprehensible", he said.
Australia had taken a different stance when such events occurred elsewhere in the Pacific. "I urge Australia to be a real partner and trustworthy neighbour to PNG. We do not want a return to the past where we have experienced interference in PNG's affairs," including in the downsizing of the PNG defence force while Mekere Morauta was prime minister.
Sir Michael, 75, is having second thoughts about retiring. As his struggle to wrest the prime ministership back from Mr O'Neill falters, he appears reluctant to leave on a losing note.
But he has lost support in parliament, which voted 70-24 to appoint Mr O'Neill prime minister in August and his National Alliance party has since split.
Michael Somare's team slams the Gillard government for interfering with PNG politics
by: Rowan Callick
From: The Australian
February 22, 2012 12:00AM
THE Michael Somare team, which has failed to regain power in Papua New Guinea, yesterday launched a vitriolic attack on the Gillard government for backing the rival cabinet led by Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.
Sir Michael's defence spokesman, Andrew Kumbakor, released an open letter saying Canberra "cannot interfere in domestic PNG politics by picking and choosing what leadership it prefers".
He said Australia had been involved with PNG for too long not to realise there were discrepancies in the behaviour of Speaker Jeffery Nape and parliament in choosing a new prime minister on August 2 without establishing that Sir Michael, undergoing medical treatment in Singapore, had vacated the office.
"Prime Minister Gillard eagerly congratulated and embraced the illegal regime of Mr O'Neill," whom she "received with open arms during his state visit to Australia late last year", Mr Kumbakor said.
Top 50 Media
Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd has also come under fire for failing to engage sufficiently with PNG as the constitutional crisis played out. "It is for Papua New Guineans to resolve their political differences," Mr Kumbakor told parliament this month.
He said that since PNG's Supreme Court had by a 3-2 ruling ordered the return of Sir Michael to the prime ministership in December, "Australia has maintained its engagement with the illegal regime".
"The regime's contemptuous conduct has not drawn any condemnation from Ms Gillard or the Australian government."
Such an approach when "a regime is using the police force to intimidate the public is incomprehensible", he said.
Australia had taken a different stance when such events occurred elsewhere in the Pacific. "I urge Australia to be a real partner and trustworthy neighbour to PNG. We do not want a return to the past where we have experienced interference in PNG's affairs," including in the downsizing of the PNG defence force while Mekere Morauta was prime minister.
Sir Michael, 75, is having second thoughts about retiring. As his struggle to wrest the prime ministership back from Mr O'Neill falters, he appears reluctant to leave on a losing note.
But he has lost support in parliament, which voted 70-24 to appoint Mr O'Neill prime minister in August and his National Alliance party has since split.