End in sight? Somare wont support Budget

Whilst the country awaits the passing of the 2012 Budget, Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, says he will not support a budget which he has indicated contains loopholes in allocations of funding for districts.

PNGFM news understands that Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare and his cabinet will not enter Parliament without the Speaker recognizing Sir Michael as the Prime Minister and arranging his correct sitting area on the floor of Parliament.  That’s the word from Madang’s Regional Governor and Somare Cabinet Spokesperson, Sir Arnold Amet. Also The O’Neil/Namah Government has been accused of holding Members of Parliament in captivity just for the sake of power.

When supporting the stance of the Grand Chief, Sir Michael Somare, SHP Governor, Anderson Aiguru emphasized to the Press that Sir Michael did not have to go through a lot of hassles to impress Members to align with him, it was simple common sense.

Madang’s Regional Member and Spokesperson of the Somare Cabinet, Sir Arnold Amet has described the ONIEL/NAMAH Government purported turn of events following the decision on the 12th of December by the Supreme Court as a constitutional night mare. Sir Arnold says amendments to the NEC and PM act, suspension of the Governor General, declaration of vacancy in the PM’s seat, election of Mr ONIEL as PM, the swearing in of Speaker Jeffery Nape and finally the swearing in of the ONIEL/NAMAH cabinet does not affect the final decision of the Supreme Court on the 12th of Dec.

Papua New Guinea's political stalemate appeared closer to a resolution on Tuesday, after the Pacific nation's governor-general said he had erred in reinstating Sir Michael Somare as prime minister and would now recognise Somare's rival as leader.  The battle for power over the most populous South Pacific island nation has dragged on for more than a week, leaving an exasperated and confused public with two men claiming to be prime minister, two governments claiming to be in charge and two police chiefs refusing to get involved in the mess.

The country's Supreme Court and Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio originally backed Somare, who the court ruled was illegally removed as prime minister while getting medical treatment outside the country. But on Monday, Ogio sent a letter to Parliament saying bad legal advice had led him to incorrectly reinstate Somare as prime minister. "Any decision to swear in the Somare government in law is wrong and invalid," the letter said. "The advice I received was wrong. I recognise the election of Peter O'Neill as prime minister." Still, a defiant Somare refused to concede defeat, dubbing calls for him to resign "an insult to the voters". "I have represented my people in parliament for over 40 years, and the loose talk by senior members of Parliament at this critical time is disrespectful and cheap,"

Somare said in a statement Tuesday. Somare accused O'Neill of violating the Constitution by declaring himself prime minister and called his rival's attempts to unseat him unlawful. "The pattern of intimidation used at the highest level, Government House, leaves my government speechless," Somare's statement said. "Furthermore, they have persuaded the public service as the highest level to ignore a Supreme Court Order.

All this is frightening." The power struggle began last week, when the Supreme Court ruled that O'Neill's election by parliament in August was unconstitutional and said Somare should be reinstated as prime minister. Lawmakers loyal to O'Neill then passed retroactive legislation recognising him as leader. Ogio, who represents British Queen Elizabeth II - the country's head of state - agreed with the court ruling and swore in Somare's Cabinet. A majority of the country's 109 lawmakers then voted to suspend Ogio and replace him temporarily with Speaker Jeffery Nape.

Nape then swore O'Neill in as prime minister. After Ogio indicated he was switching sides on Monday, the parliament reinstated him as governor-general. Despite Somare's insistence that he was not conceding defeat, O'Neill declared victory and deemed the crisis over. "Parliament is the place where we make governments and where we change governments," O'Neill told reporters. "Now that the crisis is over, I urge all parties to work together so that we can prepare for the fair and free elections in 2012."

Somare, meanwhile, urged Papua New Guineans to go about their business "as we resolve this mess". Australia shares an important trade relationship with Papua New Guinea, a former Australian territory rich in mineral resources including oil, gold and copper, and crops such as coffee and cocoa. Australia is Papua New Guinea's top export market, as well as its top source of imports. Papua New Guinea relies on Australia for fuel, food, cars and foreign aid. Read more:

AP

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