Papua New Guinea, Australia: Leaked report implicates PNG PM in Moti flight

On Monday, The Australian published details from a leaked inquiry report which implicated Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare in the flight of Julian Moti from PNG to the Solomon Islands in October, allegedly on the request of Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.  Moti is wanted in Australia on child-sex criminal charges, and is now attorney general for the Solomon Islands.

The leaked information comes from an inquiry report made by the PNG Supreme Court, which relies heavily on testimony from the director-general of National Security Co-ordiantion and Assessment, Joseph Assaigo, and  that of defense force commander Alois Ur.  Their testimony indicates that Somare ordered or allowed Moti to be flown from PNG to the Solomons, and that Moti was smuggled out of his refuge in the Solomon Islands high commission in PNG.  A subsequent report calls for charges to be filed against Somare for his participation in these actions, and also against members of his government for the same.  Somare has kept the reports suppressed.

Since news of this report came to light, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has called for the PNG government to release the report on the theory that, if it is true, it is of great importance to Australia because the charges against Moti are still pending.  In response to Downer and the media, which is also calling for release of the report, Somare said, "You can tell them to go to hell."

In other comments, Somare said that it was up to the PNG Cabinet whether the document would be released.  He told Radio New Zealand, "We are not going to just listen to outsiders, our critics, to tell us what to do.  No, I have got a country to run and other people [should] mind their own business.  Now Moti is nothing to do with us, he is an Australian citizen and it's Australia's business to deal with the Solomon Islands and not Papua New Guinea."

Domestically, opposition MPs are calling for release of the report in PNG, and in the Solomons, Sogavare is facing a no-confidence vote in August based mainly on his actions regarding Moti.

Please see also:
"Scrambling for cover"  The Australian  (30 July 2007)
"Release PNG report, says Downer"  The Australian  (30 July 2007)
"Australia's foreign minister wants PNG government to release inquiry into Julian Moti"  Radio New Zealand International  (30 July 2007)
"PNG leader says it will be Cabinet's decision whether to table Moti inquiry report"  Radio New Zealand International  (30 July 2007)
"PNG's Somare on Moti inquiry: 'Go to hell' "  Pacific Islands Report  (31 July 2007)*
"Butt out on Moti, says Somare"  The Australian  (31 July 2007)

*This article is a reprint  of an article initially appearing in PNG's The National.