PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) — Former defense chief Jerry Singirok has called on the government to protest to Australia over a statement reportedly made by the head of its defense staff in Port Moresby.
Col. Dougall McMillan was quoted as saying on the Australian Channel Nine Television News that Australia will withdraw its 100 million kina ($34 million) aid to the Papua New Guinea Defense Force if a new commander is appointed.
Singirok said McMillan’s threat to stall the defense aid programs if a new commander is appointed over the suspended Commodore Peter Ilau bordered on direct interference with the integrity of PNG.
“In other words, Australia will only fund the Australian defense aid program if a commander of Australia’s choice is appointed,” Singirok said.
“The fear which I always had was if Australia or any other country continued to pump massive amounts of money into defense force capabilities without PNG government involvement and concern, our national security and integrity would diminish and sovereignty completely compromised,” he said.
“This also involves senior PNGDF appointments, intelligence and all operational matters, a situation that is very dangerous,” he added.
“Colonel McMillan’s statement proves all the suspicions that Canberra has a far reaching agenda over the security affairs of PNG, and that the Australians are well and truly entrenched in the running of the PNGDF,” Singirok said.
McMillan, he said, “has demonstrated that he is the authority and the commander of the Ddefense force and not Commodore Ilau or any other nationals.”
According to Singirok, it was surprising for McMillan to publicly say that Peter Ilau was not involved in the Moti affair, insinuating that he – McMillan —had some prior knowledge of Moti’s escape and therefore should be called to the Defense Board of Inquiry to substantiate his statement.