Two More Challenges For Embattled Somare

Sir Michael Somare...leadership under threat

They include Somare's initial outburst against Australia's treatment of its K600 million annual aid programme and a likely threat to his job.

While Somare has officially declared his agreement to the aid programme after meeting with Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer, it seemed unlike him to have acted the way he did. It is believed that certain aspects of the revised aid deal would continue to bother him as talks between the two countries continue.

However, the most immediate challenge is the threat to his job which has been marked by a series of significant events, culminating in an open revolt by government backbenchers against him in September.

The events included a cabinet reshuffle and constitutional amendments relating to a grace period for a vote of no-confidence motion against a government from 18 months to 36 months.

Thirteen MPs have openly stated their opposition to these amendments, introduced to deter any immediate attempts to oust him.

The MPs stated that Somare's cabinet did not deserve any extension. The group also expressed concern about corruption, appointment of political cronies, cash-flow problems, lack of services reaching their districts because of delays in the release of electoral funds and Parliament cash crisis.

A member of the group and Talasea MP, John Vulupindi said: "I think the government has not earned the right to remain in office. The prime minister has not delivered and if we support the government, then we would be making the biggest mistake."

Vulupindi, who is a former finance secretary and Bank of PNG Governor, suggested that Somare has lost his sense of direction with his comment on the Australian Government's K600 million aid programme. He described the government as very incompetent in the worst possible way.

"I think we are looking at a very serious situation and the prime minister should be given notice in this session of Parliament," he said.

Another member, Cecil Doruba said he does not see any improvements even if the Somare Government's reign is extended to 36 months.

The revolt by the MPs came despite strenuous efforts earlier by Somare to discourage such anti-government sentiments.

In a prepared statement to mark the government's first 12 months in office in August, Somare reiterated his government's commitment to provide stability and good governance.

I cannot stress enough the importance of political stability. Over the past 28 years of self-government and constitutional independence, we have had seven national elections. We have had a total of 13 governments. Of the 13 governments, seven came to office after the elections and six came in mid terms on successful votes of no confidence.

This means in 28 years, Papua New Guinea has had on average a government for every 2.2 years.

This may explain why social indicators place PNG among the least developed countries in the world and why budgets after budgets have been unsuccessful in impacting positively on the lives of our people. Political stability must take place to ensure economic growth and improved social conditions take place.

In line with the government's commitment to stability, only one reshuffle of cabinet ministers has taken place in the past 12 months.

"This reshuffle was done in consultation with the leaders of the coalition partners to consolidate and strengthen the coalition partners," Somare said. Another significant test for the government came after the resignation of a key coalition powerbroker and National Parliament Speaker, Bill Skate, as chairman of the Government coalition. The resignation was in protest over the Prime Minister's alleged lack of consultation in the handling of certain important issues.

The government is hoping the constitutional amendments would be passed in the September sitting. However, an effort to have the constitutional amendments go through for the second reading failed.

In the meantime, Somare's future is in danger with the 18 months grace period under the original Act drawing closer.

In relation to the Australian aid saga, the Prime Minister's future position on the aid discussion is unclear after the surfacing of claims suggesting that he was cornered at the last minute by his own ministers involved in the on-going talks. These talks were led by Foreign Minister Sir Rabbie Namaliu and Treasurer Bart Philemon.

Commentators in PNG were shocked when Somare backed away from a confrontation with Downer.

Somare, the nationalist PNG politician who fought Australia for his country's independence in 1975, sat cordially with Downer as PNG signed up for Australia's new interventionist policy.

Just days earlier, Somare had vowed to rid PNG of the need for foreign aid. He launched several parliamentary tirades against Australia for what he said was an attempt to "recolonise" PNG by installing Australian advisers and foreign economic policies. But at the opening of talks, Somare told Downer not to worry about what he had said outside the official talks.

It appeared to be an astonishing back-down by Somare, known as "The Chief" for leading PNG to independence from Australia.

"Something obviously happened between last night and this morning," an analyst said after the meeting of Downer and Somare.

"I suspect they said to Somare, 'you can't go too far with this.'" Questioned about Somare's apparent about-face, Namaliu said his prime minister supported Australia's proposals once it was explained that there would be close consultation. He said Somare dropped his opposition to the Australian plans once it was "clear it wasn't a package that they were about to shove down our throats‹but a package which is subject to discussion". But the proposals appear to be completely at loggerheads with Somare's public hopes, such as to free PNG from the grip of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

The agreement commits PNG to a "close engagement" with the international monetary institutions.

At a breakfast function, one of Somare's prominent supporters lamented that "The Chief" had been forced to submit to the proposals. "Let me inform you there is a lot of unhappiness here," former MP Sir John Kaputin told Downer.

"Let us not simply cover up with sweet words." There are other issues in the framework signed between Namaliu and Downer, which Somare had also opposed in comments in weeks before the meeting with Downer.

The key elements agreed to in the framework are:

• A firm commitment to work as close partners in addressing core challenges in PNG in the areas of good governance, law and order and justice, financial management, economic and social progress as well as capacity in the public service.
• Close engagement and co-operation with the international financial institutions with strong support from Australia to enhance this relationship, acknowledging PNG's sovereign right to advance its national interests in association with these institutions.
• A high-level delegation to visit PNG as early as possible to discuss assistance in the areas of macro-economic management and public sector reform.
• An agreement in principle to examine the placement of Australian officials in senior positions in departments and agencies during the officials' visits.
• An agreement to commence a joint review of the Development Corporation Treaty in an effort to assess the effectiveness of the contributions from both PNG and Australia towards mutually agreed priorities.
• Commitment by both Australia and PNG to work together as partners and to respect each other's sovereignty, consistent with the spirit and letter of the Joint Declarations of Principles.