Tuesday 18th March 1997
Search entire news archive by day | Search entire news archive by text |
Definitive Lifestyle Guide to over 5000 Australian webs | Global Web Builders Gold |
The Kid's Locker Room | World Wide Websters |
Issues - The banking system under the spotlight. The Papua New Guinea Defence Forces (PNGDF) are ready to revolt against prime minister Sir Julius Chan over the mercenary affair. In a remarkable interview with the media yesterday the Commander of the PNGDF, Brigadier General Jerry Singirok, gave Chan 48 hours to resign before he led a popular uprising against him.
Since the call for his resignation Chan met with his parliament, coming out soon after with a demand that Singirok, who he appointed just 15 months ago, resign.
"There is no coup and I don't expect any coup, I want to assure the nation the situation is under control," Sir Julius said late last night.
The police commissioner, Bob Nenta, supported Chan's stand - effectively dividing the nation's forces.
A spokesman for the Australian Prime Minister, John Howard said that the government was following the situation in PNG "very closely and with great concern... it is the sort of destablisation that we feared the introduction of such mercenaries into PNG and the reason might cause".
The army's revolt sent the jitters through the Australian Stock Market with company's active in the PNG area having their share prices dealt with savagely.
Sir Julius said yesterday that events would not effect Sandline's contract with the government - this despite the placement of the South African mercenary group "Executive Outcomes" under effective house arrest by the military.
It is believed that Singirok's actions were prompted by orders to prepare to accompany the Sandline operatives to Bougainville where rebels have waged a 9 year war with the PNG forces.
The PNGDF boasts and army of 3,400; navy of 300 and air force of 140.
Howard is starting to look like a real political wimp totally out of touch with mainstream Australia following the news that it is unlikely he will be able to meet his own deadline to report to cabinet with a response to the Wik decision before easter. This after his strong stand against the gun lobby last year.....
In the latest native title claim Aborigines from the Gunai, Jurnai and Boonerwrung communities have claimed Wilson's Promontory National Park in south eastern Victoria.
Victoria's state premier, Jeff Kennett, said that native title "isn't working" saying that the legal process was too slow and that uncertainty jeopardised future investment in effected areas.
In other news the career of Mal Colston hangs in the balance after a report on his travel claims is tabled in Parliament this afternoon.
Colston has threatened to spill the beans on the misuses of the lurks and perks by other political heavyweights if he is forced to resign.
Extensive political commentary and links can be found on Palmer's Australian Politics page.
It was left to Ian Healy to save the day - he did this with a 6 clinching Australia's victory. Australia now lead the series 2-0.
The selectors have, in the meantime, left it up to captain Mark Taylor to resign from the team after a succession of abysmal performances. Healy would make a splendid replacement if taylor was to go.
Spare a moment for Australian sprinter Dean Capobianco who has been banned from the sport for four years following the decision by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) to find him guilty on the charge of taking performance enhancing drugs.
Capobianco tested positive to the steroid Stanozolol at a grand prix meeting at Hengelo in Holland in May last year just before the Atlanta Olympics.
A tearful Capobianco said, "I just cannot believe on the evidence we produced and they didn't produce - one of their experts even refused to give sources for some of their information - that I've been found guilty."
Sport:
Mark Waugh was the hero for Australia in the second test match played at St George Park in Port Elizabeth. The South African cricket team couldn't stop Waugh making his eleventh century in a test match and, on the way, steering Australia to a shaky win. Waugh was dismissed when Australia needed about 20 runs to win - but his demise saw the collapse of Australia's lower order with 3 wickets falling for just 7 runs.Personal trivia, from the global office:
Another beautiful day in paradise. Have a good one..
Return to Australian National News of the Day
