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.