'Tree' pid='7209' datel Wrote:
'Palm' pid='7208' datel Wrote:Pretty impressive group coming together to show solidarity to the PNG people and the investment world. If Polye's group is going to push Namah as PM, that's a huge mistake. They would be much better off pushing Polye with Namah in a DPM position. The international partners will not want Namah as PM as it would be very unstable. I would think Japan and SK would be concerned about this especially. A Namah run at PM will be a clear sign that China is very likely involved as well as the likes of Shell and Clive Palmer. The people of PNG will remain in limbo under him. In the end ONeill will be favored with his policies seen as best for the nation.
Since Duma is a long time Somare guy, we may see him backing O'Neill quickly too. Duma as DPE Minister is not out of the question. Obstructionist no more if that happens.
It is interesting to contemplate that some of the recent EWC run-up may be related to the fact that O'Neill looks like holding a strong position and that he is very pro the LNG processing in Gulf Province and quite pro EWC. To my knowledge, there has never been any statement publicly or privately that confirms EWC is out of a E/A Gulf LNG scenario. Somare was also very pro EWC in his day and is still pretty close with IOC as well, from what I'm told. Given Duma seems to have considerably less private wealth than Namah, one wonders at what point he cuts his "losses" with Namah/Shell and sides politically rather than commercially - knowing that Shell will still have its snout in other troughs down the track and that he may end up with some splash from their swill even yet? I don't trust Duma either way though.