| Allgemeines • SHANE MCLEOD |
| 28.10.2013, 10:39 - feebsori - Hohlbratze - 1013 Posts Shoe incident sees Australia Shoe occurrence sees Australia, PNG associations sourTONY EASTLEY: A dispute which started with an incident concerning a pair of shoes is souring relations between Sydney and Papua New Guinea, which is delaying the setup of a billion dollar support package for our past colony. It all began when PNG's Prime Minister, There Michael Somare, was instructed to remove his shoes during a security examine at Brisbane Airport. Australia's decision not to apologise provides escalated the diplomatic dispute, with PNG now closing a highlevel meeting with senior Australian Government officials next week. Shane McLeod accounts from Port Moresby. Geebet MCLEOD: What started with your PNG Prime Minister being required to remove his shoes by simply security personnel at Brisbane Airport today threatens to challenge a billion dollar aid package ?Australia's Enhanced Cohesiveness Program. PNG protested when Mister Michael Somare was put through the checks on his way back from New Zealand last month, stating they were undignified and a violation of protocol conventions. Australia's response ?that it was part and parcel of security requirements ?has never gone down well within Waigani. Joshua Kalinoe is the Government's Primary Secretary. JOSHUA KALINOE: There was no indicator of sympathy as well as regrets the way the occurrence happened. SHANE MCLEOD: What needs particularly irked PNG could be the way Australia's Foreign Reverend, Alexander Downer,parajumpers barn, has responded to the complaint, telling mass media in Australia an apology may not be forthcoming. Mr Kalinoe affirms PNG officials believe the diplomatic courtesies have been overlooked. JOSHUA KALINOE: There was no sense of regrets for the situation, and there had not been admittance that this issue happened and it was obviously a regrettable occasion. Geebet MCLEOD: In essence,parajumpers dk, you'd like an apology? JOSHUA KALINOE: Basically that's what we are saying,parajumpers jacket, yes, that are,parajumpers jakke oslo, an apology is the only way to go. SHANE MCLEOD: The consequence is always that any further deployments of law enforcement officials or public servants below Australia's billiondollar aid program are on hold, and a achieving that was to be used next week to consider the particular program's progress so far continues to be cancelled. Looking more ahead, a court docket challenge is expected to become finalised soon around the question of the legitimacy of the program, along with immunity provisions liked by the Australian officers. Mr Kalinoe says if that decision is negative, an apology over security and shoes will be the least of Australia's concerns. JOSHUA KALINOE: Obviously both governing bodies will have to do something to fix whatever deficiency that has been identified by the court. And if that happens, obviously that process may be jeopardized as far as Papua New Guinea's portion in correcting that will deficiency is concerned. |