Security Info - International SOS Security Information


Alert: Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea March 23, 2001

Foreigners May Be Required To Leave PNG

The standoff between the Prime Minister and members of the military appears to be drawing to a non-violent conclusion. The soldiers were appeased by a letter to them from the Prime Minister which expressed an emotionally worded apology and an appeal to them to help assist with the forward progress of the nation.

This afternoon (Thursday 22nd) the Prime Minister received a delegation from the disgruntled soldiers who presented their grievances and a petition listing their demands. In return for meeting this delegation the soldiers will hand back seized weapons to the armouries tomorrow (Friday 23rd). The petition includes demands that the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Australia leave the country immediately. This is in response to the opinion that foreign influences are the cause for the poor state of the PNG economy and that foreign assistance has only been a cover for stealing the nations vast natural resources.

The Prime Minister will take these demands to the cabinet and respond to the soldiers within three days. All soldiers involved in the recent rebellion have been granted an amnesty from all civil and military prosecution.

SOS Comment

It will be extremely difficult for the Prime Minister to fulfill these demands. It is possible that some elements within society will become agitated in the near future if these demands are not acted upon fully. SOS members should not consider the crisis to have concluded once the weapons have been returned and remain vigilant for further challenges to the Prime Minister's authority.
It is uncertain at this stage whether Australian companies and their staff and families will be required to leave PNG. SOS members should plan for this contingency and be prepared to leave at short notice. It is also possible that resentment against foreigners will increase and that criminal elements will use this period of instability to increase their activities.
SOS has prepared contingency plans for the evacuation of foreigners from PNG by chartered aircraft. Members who believe they may require evacuation assistance or assistance with contingency planning are advised to contact the 24 hr SOS Regional Security Centre on +65 338 7800 and ask to speak to the on call Security Specialist.