1:23 PM |
PACIFIC ISLANDS REPORT
Pacific Islands Development Program/East-West Center
With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies/University of Hawai'i
PNG PRIME MINISTER TO BE ASKED TO STEP DOWN
'Government insiders' try to avert ouster vote
By Simon Eroro
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, July 16, 2010) –Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare will be asked to step down as leader of the National Alliance Party and ultimately as Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea on Monday.
Government insiders and at least two senior government ministers yesterday told Post-Courier that the question will be put to Sir Michael when the Parliamentary caucus of the NA meet on Monday, a day before the Parliament starts its July session.
The Government insiders and the two ministers said the main focus for that discussion is to press for changes to the leadership of the NA Party to avert a possible vote-of-no-confidence and remain in government until 2012.
The senior ministers said this meeting was very crucial because the pressure is on for party leader and Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare to step down but if the changes are not accepted by the Chief, then the formation of a new Government is imminent.
The key members of the Government said the talk within NA is "not to pull the house down but to rearrange" the leadership and remain in power.
"However, if the situation does not go satisfactorily, then whatever we are planning will take effect to give the Opposition the numbers to topple the Government," one of the senior ministers said.
Deputy Prime Minister and NA Deputy Leader (Southern) Sir Puka Temu, when contacted by Post-Courier last night confirmed that the Papuan block was intact and they were not going anywhere but will promote and protect the NA Party by using the party institutional processes to discuss the leadership issue.
He said the party has a clear legal process to change the leadership and part of this process is the parliamentary caucus which will discuss this mater on Monday amongst other matters.
"Papua New Guinea must demonstrate adherence to democratic processes, part of which includes smooth transition during change of Government on the floor of Parliament or at the polls as allowed for by the Constitution," Dr Temu said.
The Opposition yesterday welcomed the bold and decisive move by the Papuan and Highlands block and confirmed their negotiations with the two groups were in advanced and mature stages. The Post-Courier has been told that the NA deputy leader Highlands and Minister for Civil Aviation, Transport and Works Don Polye was leading his group while Sir Puka was leading his group to the opposition, when the Monday meeting fails.
Leader of the Opposition Sir Mekere Morauta and his deputy Bart Philemon described the two leaders as real leaders, who are selfless and have put the country's interests ahead of self and sectional short-term gains to make tough political decisions.
"The decision by the two regional groups frees them from being perceived as supporters of some of the scandalous acts the Prime Minister is alleged to have committed," Mr Philemon said.
PNG Post-Courier:
http://www.postcourier.com.pg/Copyright © 2010 PNG Post-Courier. All Rights Reserved. --
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