Dihm welcomes line agencies and province govts to protocol training

Caption:  Acting-Secretary Foreign Affairs William Dihm

 

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, October 18, 2015 (PNG)

ACTING-Secretary for Foreign Affair, William Dihm, welcomed government line agencies and provincial government representatives to the department’s Protocol Module training workshop held in Port Moresby.

The week long workshop saw Foreign Service cadets and other invited institutions get acquainted in various protocol standard practices in terms subject from etiquette, communication, events, and other important areas.

He made special mention of the visiting facilitators from the New Zealand Foreign Affairs Department that included Chief of Protocal NZ Joanna Kempkers and Protocol Advisor NZ Fiona Fowler.

“I would like to thank our facilitators for coming all the way from New Zealand to deliver this module,” Dihm said.

“We have two important people, Ms Joanna Hilders Chief of Protocal New Zealand Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Ms Fiona fowler Protocal Advisor to the ministry.”

He also welcomed participants for the first time from other line agencies and provincial governments.
“This is the second last program in this course and I understand and received a message last night from Graham Hassle (Associate Professor- Director Pacific Islands Programmes) that the head of the school (School of Government Victoria University of Wellington) is intending to come and we are planning for the graduation around the 2nd of November.

“On behalf of the Minister and my senior managers we would like to welcome you and to also welcome those from other agencies.”

“Let me assure you that this workshop is very important for those who worked together during the hosting of the Pacific Games and the Pacific Islands Forum meeting in early September and we had some very good experiences with one or two bumps along the way.”

He added that the protocol module would serve as an opportunity to share experiences in the lead up to, events like the hosting of a ACP (Africam, Carribian and Pacific) summit next year in May and then the APEC leaders meeting in 2018.

“I want to say again that my department is grateful to New Zealand for hosting this program on protocol,” he said.

“We do not only work with our counterpart the ministry for foreign affairs with the New Zealand and also a special relationship with Victoria University that actually delivers the program and they work very closely with the ministry for foreign affairs and trade in New Zealand to select the speakers and get the resource people to back up this program.”

Foreign Service training programs were reintroduced 2014 that saw the first batch of graduate in June this year with the second lot undertaking this week training.

The protocol module is the 10th undertaken- with other models that included Communication, Regional and International Trade, APEC, and Development Cooperation with Aid Donors.

Registrar apologizes to Somare

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, October 18, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG) 

POLITICAL Parties and Candidates Registrar Dr Alphonse Gelu has apologized to Sir Michael Somare for any inconveniences caused by last week’s front page report in a daily paper on the eligibility of the senior politician, following talk of him standing for the top job in media circles.

On the issue of eligibility, he said the registry had no legal say in the matter- blaming misreporting in the story that created the impression that it did.

“He is eligible just like any member of parliament, but that is for them to decide and not the registry,” Dr Gelu said.

“It can be a backbencher, a member of the opposition or whoever that is up to them and not us. I never mention also according to the report that it is a legal and technical requirement. I never said that it is legal, but rather a technical requirement as we still categorise him as still part of NA.”

“For us at the registry I would like to apologise to Sir Michael for that headline that might have caused him some discomfort on that matter. Like now we do not know whether he wants to be the Prime Minister or not as it is all assumptions.”

He said he was clear on his position as the registrar of political parties to the reporter that the registry does not decide on who is eligible and who is not eligible to contest the office or the post of the PM.

“From the outset I would say that was put from the front-page is from the Post Courier itself and not from the registry or myself.”

“The only issue that came out clear in that report is on the membership of Sir Micheal Somare who is a member of the national alliance party.”

“I told them that the registry would treat Sir Michael’s case the same as what we have treated all members of Parliament that have moved from one party to another.”

“What I said was currently according to our position at the registry is that Sir Michael is still a member of NA unless we receive documents from Sir Michael or the party itself.”

He said if the registry is to go ahead and decide on the matter through the media that would basically bring about problems to the registry.

Story totally misleading: Gelu

Caption: Dr Alphonse Gelu

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, October 18, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THE Registrar of Political Parties and Candidates, Dr Aphonse Gelu, has refuted a report made by daily newspaper, Post Courier, on the eligibility of senior politician and former prime minister Sir Michael Somare to the PMs post.

He said that the front page story, published on Wednesday October 14, painted both him and the registry as the authority that decides the fate of the top post- something he said was not in any way true.

“The registry believes that such a report was based around queries with the National Alliance Party and the status of Sir Michael in the party. That is not from me,” Dr Gelu said.

“From me was only on his membership with the National Alliance party, and that when it comes to the eligibility of a Prime Minister it is Parliament that ultimately decides.”

“This office does not have a say on whom parliament wants to be the PM that is not our job, and even in the organic law (Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates) there is nothing in there that states anything like that.”

A disappointed Dr Gelu made reference to previous incidents referring to how sensitive issues should be properly thought through for correct interpretation.

“It has made me think about the power of the media where it can condemn and crucify someone despite the fact that it might not be true and that a person’s life will be ruined,” he said.

“The headline indicates that I am the one that decides that process. These things are really heating up, the issue on the vote of no confidence, there is the eligibility, and for us at the registry our job does not put us in that deciding aspect of MPs moving- in fact I told her (jounalist) about the Supreme Court Decision of 2010 that we are not here to determine who is or who is not eligible.”

“The Supreme Court decision is very clear and the court has decided so for us at the registry our hands are tied where we can no longer keep members of parliament to their political parties.”

He added that Sir Michael has made his intention known to move from the National Alliance, but the registry did not receive any documents from either Sir Michael or NA.

“We can’t keep him with the National Alliance. If we do so and the matter is brought up with the courts then the registry will be in big trouble for that- something that was not emphasised much in the story,” Gelu said.

“It is also putting the position of the office into question that we are not that independent. We are a constitutional office and we must always maintain our independence no matter what.”

“Whether it is for the PM or the other side it is not our business. Our business is to make sure everything is done according to our function under the organic law on political parties that guides us on our activities.”

Let the polls do the talking: O’Neill

Caption: Prime Minister O’Neill.

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, October 11, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THAT was the prime minister’s response amid looming whispers of a vote of no confidence in the coming sitting of parliament this month.

Mr O’Neill made reference to comments on the subject on social network sites and political rivalries during a visit to a Motu-Koita village during the week.

“Our government will be there till 2017. Do not worry about a few individuals on social media, one or two leaders,” Mr O’Neill said.

“We already know about them, what they have done, their history- our government is very strong and do not forget that we have been mandated by Papua New Guinean voters in 2012.”

“Same mandate they gave to National Alliance Party in 2002, same mandate given in 2007, and PNC (People’s National Congress) got the same mandate in 2012.”

He said that their worry about their mandate would be in 2017 when country will decide whether they have done the right thing or not.

“Papua New Guineans are intelligent people who have seen the changes happening around them.”

“Only those who choose to be blind do not see- they can see but they choose not to. Let them continue to be blind and we will continue to change the country as we go forward,” he added.

His sentiments were supported by Health Minister and Member for Moresby North-West, Michael Malabag, who reiterated the support of all members in the ruling coalition.

“The prime minister that will lead this country to the 2017 elections, mark my words.”

“The social media is in overdrive at the moment. PNC has 60 solid members and we are going to stay together behind our leader and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and he will be there until 2017 and beyond.”

Tatana leaders air frustrations

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, October 11, 2015 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

LEADERS from Tatana village in Port Moresby took the opportunity to express to the prime minister on their lack of participation in project developments along the capital city’s coastline for many years.

Their concerns were made during the opening of their secretariat building of the Tatana-Araira Development Association (TADA)- where both the TADA chairman and his deputy spoke of the time to take what is rightfully theirs.

Deputy Chairman and village councilor Tom Lancan said his people have owned their land for centuries, and they are now determined to recover their losses from the new port development through land and environment impact claims.

“We have sacrificed for too long our land in the name of development and the expansion of this city. As you can see our lifestyles have never changed and your (Prime Minister O’Neill) presence here hopefully my people can hear some good from you,” Lancan said.

In addition TADA Chairman and Acting Motu Koita Assembly Chairman, Opao Udia stated their intentions to have a broader look from the traditional compensation methods to more sustainable business arrangements.

“While as a community our original issue was to protest the relocation of the port of Port Moresby to Motukea in Tatana Bay, which is where our village is located.”

“In response to the public announcement by Micah we have taken a broad look at the future. The port relocation is a hectic move on top of the enormous social and environmental impact, and past development activities have had on our lives.”

“Right before our eyes in bright daylight the government and the private sector in separate marriages took away the very source of livelihood- sea passages, shores, reefs, land and others.”

He said that despite there being no consultation, compensation, partnership, and participation- they like many quiet people in the Papuan Region did not react because the strong arm of the government threatened and deprived them of their undeniable rights.

In his response to the concerns- Prime Minister O’Neill stated that he understood the wrongs done to the villagers, adding that the deeds were done by previous governments.

“I know that there have been many wrongs in the past. I cannot speak for other governments.”

“I was not there to represent our people in some of those discussions, but I can say today that this government’s focus is on the welfare of our children.”

“It is about legacy and what you leave behind for the future generation. What we can leave for the future of our kids.”

“Today we are on the right path and I know that other businesses that have operated in the area have not developed strong partnership with the community,” O’Neill said.

He said that it is time government owned enterprises take the lead first and then we will encourage other investors to follow our example of fair settlement and compensation.

“Making sure that the participation of ownership and making sure that our people get the right compensation for what is rightfully theirs,” he said.