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The retired colonel who claims to have seized control of Papua New Guinea's military has threatened to use "necessary force" to resolve the country's political stand-off. Colonel Yaura Sasa has told reporters in Port Moresby that soldiers under his control fired several shots this morning as they stormed barracks and took defence force commander Francis Agwi hostage under house arrest. The former defence attaché to Indonesia 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. If that did not happen, he warned he would use "necessary force" to "restore the integrity and respect for the constitution and the judiciary." The press conference took a bizarre twist when Co

The retired colonel who claims to have seized control of Papua New Guinea's military has threatened to use "necessary force" to resolve the country's political stand-off. Colonel Yaura Sasa has told reporters in Port Moresby that soldiers under his control fired several shots this morning as they stormed barracks and took defence force commander Francis Agwi hostage under house arrest. The former defence attaché to Indonesia 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. If that did not happen, he warned he would use "necessary force" to "restore the integrity and respect for the constitution and the judiciary." The press conference took a bizarre

'I am the condor, I fly over you who glide and suddenly in a wheeling of wind, feather, claws I assault you and I lift you in a whistling cyclone... Female Falcon! let us paunch, upon this red and white prey Let us tear life that passes throbbing and lift together our wild flight.'' (Anonymous Author) As time passes, and as politicians, youthful and inexperienced,  prone to accident, quick to act and slow to reason, slip and fall on another of their banana peels, the whole spectacle would have moved on. New conquests and their attendant controversies clutter the public memory. The feeling of violation of trust, and the deep disgust we felt over the idea of an obscene amount of cash like US$250 million smuggled secretly into the country by those whom we have mandated to wield executive and legislative powers becomes something of the past. Our consciences encumbered by new obscenities, eyes glued on new moves in this game of political gymnastics for legitimacy, and

'I am the condor, I fly over you who glide and suddenly in a wheeling of wind, feather, claws I assault you and I lift you in a whistling cyclone... Female Falcon! let us paunch, upon this red and white prey Let us tear life that passes throbbing and lift together our wild flight.'' (Anonymous Author) As time passes, and as politicians, youthful and inexperienced,  prone to accident, quick to act and slow to reason, slip and fall on another of their banana peels, the whole spectacle would have moved on. New conquests and their attendant controversies clutter the public memory. The feeling of violation of trust, and the deep disgust we felt over the idea of an obscene amount of cash like US$250 million smuggled secretly into the country by those whom we have mandated to wield executive and legislative powers becomes something of the past. Our consciences encumbered by new obscenities, eyes glued on new moves in this game of political gymnastics for

THE ball was really in the Somare camp for some time but it has opted to drag its feet and to dilly-dally so that, now, the O’Neill camp has decided to take the bull by the horns and wrestle it to the ground. We speak of the impasse and a judicial remedy for it. Up to now, we have been wondering why the Somare side has been loath to go back to the courts to protect its decision or adjudicate on the happenings of parliament. That both sides have valid arguments is without question. The Somare government was restored by the Supreme Court in its Dec 12 decision. Six orders were given which served to nullify the election of Peter O’Neill on Aug 2, which further declared that the prime ministerial post was vested in Sir Michael Somare, that he also remained Member for East Sepik and declared that the National Court alone had the authority to declare who was MP. The court decision is unambiguous and understood by both sides. No issue there. Now, while the Somare side has decided to

THE ball was really in the Somare camp for some time but it has opted to drag its feet and to dilly-dally so that, now, the O’Neill camp has decided to take the bull by the horns and wrestle it to the ground. We speak of the impasse and a judicial remedy for it. Up to now, we have been wondering why the Somare side has been loath to go back to the courts to protect its decision or adjudicate on the happenings of parliament. That both sides have valid arguments is without question. The Somare government was restored by the Supreme Court in its Dec 12 decision. Six orders were given which served to nullify the election of Peter O’Neill on Aug 2, which further declared that the prime ministerial post was vested in Sir Michael Somare, that he also remained Member for East Sepik and declared that the National Court alone had the authority to declare who was MP. The court decision is unambiguous and understood by both sides. No issue there. Now, while the Somare side has decid

Papua New Guinea authorities have arrested a lawyer over an alleged conspiracy with two politicians to replace the nation's police commissioner with Sir Michael Somare's chosen candidate. David Dataona was charged with attempting to solicit a bribe to pay off the defence counsel in a court case to decide if Fred Yakasa, Sir Michael's appointee, can reclaim the commissionership. 'This criminal matter came to light after the intended victim filed a sworn affidavit and tendered it as evidence to police investigators,' acting deputy police commissioner Simon Kauba said in a statement. Calling the act a 'conspiracy', police say Mr Dataona and two as-yet-unnamed politicians tried to have legal documents signed to declare Mr Yakasa the duly appointed acting police commissioner, removing Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's appointee Tom Kulunga. Police would not comment on the two politicians. AAP understands Mr Dataona was arrested outsi