Somare accuses Australia of ignoring crisis

RADIO AUSTRALIA

A REPRESENTATIVE OF FORMER PRIME MINISTER Sir Michael Somare has accused Australia of ignoring the country's political crisis.

In late January, Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard officially recognised Peter O'Neill as PNG's leader.

Sir Michael has being trying unsuccessfully to have his claim to power officially endorsed for months.

Now, Sir Michael's Defence spokesman, Andrew Kumbakor, has written an open letter accusing Ms Gillard and her government of ignoring irregularities in the system.

Mr Kumbakor says he believes the situation could soon descend into violence and says Australia has a responsibility to step in before it's too late.

Comments

[Murray Bladwell]

This accusation is a bit hard to swallow. If an Australian Government ever had the gall to comment on PNG affairs during Michael Somare's time as Prime Minister, he would have told them to butt-out.

Now when he and his political colleagues have their backs to the wall they suddenly want the Australian Government to intervene. You can't have it both ways!

The solution must be negotiated within PNG.