PNG may turn to Somare in election

PNG may turn to Somare in election

PORT MORESBY (AFP): Papua New Guineans, disgusted with
politicians they see as corrupt and ineffective, may turn to
their first leader, Sir Michael Somare, in an election this week,
observers say.

Five men, three of whom have been prime minister before, are
front runners for the top job, which will be decided in a
parliamentary vote a fortnight after the two-week ballot which
begins Saturday.

"This is a watershed election in a way because of this
groundswell of disillusionment against political leaders," said
the editor of the respected National newspaper, Frank Senge
Kolma.

"If we do not come up with the aces to break down the people's
disillusionment, we could see the crumbling of systems and a
gradual decline towards anarchy. I don't say that easily," he
told AFP yesterday.

Kolma said the political process was deeply unpopular with a
people who believed some politicians were more interested in
lining their own pockets than establishing basic health and
education services.

"The strength of Somare coming back is the groundswell of
support for him and ... and generally an uprising against the
current parliamentarians," he said.

Split

Separately, a key figure in Papua New Guinea's army warned
yesterday that a dangerous split could emerge in the force if he
and his soldiers were punished before Saturday's election for
ejecting mercenary troops.

"I hope common sense will prevail," said Major Walter Enuma,
adding that he did not want to contemplate the consequences of a
move against men who removed the British-based Sandline
International troops in March.

"Any internal problems that could create divisions in the rank
and file will be very irresponsible," he said.

Enuma was in charge of Operation Rausim Kwik (pidgin for 'get
them out fast') which foiled the government's plan to hire
Sandline to crush a long-running civil war on Bougainville
island.

He appealed to the new Defense Force Commander, army strongman
Leo Nuia, to instead focus on the national elections which
authorities have been at pains to keep peaceful.

"We have a moral duty and a constitutional duty to focus into
the election which is only six days away ... and to facilitate a
smooth and trouble-free election," said Enuma, an unofficial
spokesman for sacked army chief Jerry Singirok.

Singirok was sacked by Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan after he
revealed details of the US$36 million contract with the
mercenaries and called for Chan's resignation over the affair.