O'Neill tells Somare to respect PNG

Last Updated: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:35:00 +1100

The soldiers involved in Thursday's failed military mutiny in Papua New Guinea are refusing to give up their weapons until they are pardoned.

A senior source in the PNG defence force says around 20 of the rebel soldiers are at Tarama Barracks on Port Moresby's outskirts.

Their leader, Colonel Yaura Sasa, is said to be in the officer's mess.

The source said the men are demanding a pardon before they give up their weapons.

Their demand is being taken to the government.

Political stoush

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister said his nation deserves better respect from the former Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare.

Soldiers loyal to Sir Michael attempted to stage a military mutiny holding the Commander of the Defence Force under house arrest for some hours on Thursday.

Sir Michael was ousted as prime minister last year after his seat was declared vacant while he received medical treatment in Singapore.

Despite a supreme court order ordering Sir Michael's reinstatement, Mr O'Neill remains the effective prime minister.

He said the former prime minister should use the parliamentary process to deal with his leadership concerns.

"All he has to do is introduce a motion of no confidence and if he does succeed I will resign, I will resign he doesn't have to muck around on the streets and dark corners to try and change government," he said.

He said Mr Somare's action show signs of 'desperation.'

"Let the courts settle all these issues," he said.

"Somare is, as we all know, one of the founding fathers of this country.

"If he does care about this country he should not continue to try and create instability within the country," he said.

Mutinous soldiers

Colonel Sasa told reporters in Port Moresby that soldiers under his control fired several shots as they stormed barracks and took Brigadier General Agwi hostage under house arrest.

He 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.

"I once again am now calling on...both parties and the head of state to respect the constitution and comply with the orders issued by the supreme court immediately," he said.

"If this call is not heeded, I may be forced to take necessary actions."

Though he was appointed by Sir Michael, Colonel Sasa said he was a "neutral" party and insisted his actions were not an attempted " military takeover".

"I assure the international community, our investors, this is not a military coup. I am intervening to uphold the constitution and I have made my intentions known and that the two parties comply with this promptly," he said.

"My task is restoring the integrity and respect of the constitution and the judiciary.

"I am now calling on the head of state (governor-general Sir Michael Ogio) to immediately implement Sir Michael's post as prime minister."

Arrested

The deputy prime minister Belden Namah told reporters that 15 of the 30 or so men supporting Colonel Sasa had been arrested.

Mr Namah, a former soldier, said Colonel Sasa's actions amounted to mutiny, which carries the death penalty.

Mr Namah also accused PNG's former Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, of orchestrating the mutiny.

"If he can muster the numbers, he can go back to the floor of Parliament. But not like a small rascal on the street," he said.

"These actions amount to be that of a criminal. This is mutinous, this is sedition, treason."

Barracks raided

A senior source in the PNG defence force said a group of between 12 and 20 soldiers overpowered guards at the Taurama barracks at around 3am on Thursday morning.

They took the commanding officer captive then moved to Murray barracks and placed Brigadier General Francis Agwi under house arrest.

When the conflict erupted last month, Commander Agwi recognised Mr O'Neill as the country's legitimate prime minister.

Australia's 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 on Thursday morning and workers were being sent home amid a tense atmosphere.

DFAT said it was concerned by the developments and said Australia's High Commissioner in Port Moresby has spoken to Mr O'Neill about the situation.

Australian reaction

The Australian acting foreign affairs minister, Martin Ferguson, says the government recognises Peter O'Neil as the rightful leader of PNG.

"His position has been established through the constitutional political processes that operate in Papua New Guinea," Mr Ferguson said.

Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Australian officials were closely monitoring the situation.

Political deadlock

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.