Opposition Leader Don Pomb Polye is urging Papua New Guineans to distance terrorism from religion, race, governments and refugees, saying associating it with each would mean being a racist.
Polye’s call comes in the wake of terrorist attacks at the weekend in Paris, France.
Despite security fears following the attack, Mr Polye said PNG had confidence in Paris hosting the international football tournament Euro 2016, citing France being one of the countries which has top security systems.
“We are part of the global community so name calling or alleging its association with each of them would demean our status at the diplomatic front,” said Mr Polye.
He said his call would not go well with those with the perception that terrorism had an alliance with religion or refugees, adding PNG, however, should take a bold leadership on this global issue at hand.
The Opposition Leader has taken a swipe at Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s condolence in that Mr O’Neill had failed, he said, to announce the country’s stance on addressing terrorism globally.
Amidst other leaders worldwide pledging their support to the French government for a global coalition on this matter, Polye wants the Prime Minister to tell the world PNG’s position on the same cause, saying France is a ‘brother of PNG’.
O’Neill has only sent his sympathy to the government and its people among other nationalities those lives were also devoured by the terror attacks in Paris, France.
On behalf of the people of PNG, the alternative Prime Minister Don Polye has also conveyed his condolence to the France government and her people, the relatives of those killed and injured and of those of other nationalities and their governments.
“Just a condolence cannot offer much hope for the French government, her people and the relatives of those perished.
“We, as part of the global community, should have collectively aligned our holistic approach with those countries who have committed to combat terrorism worldwide,” said Mr Polye.
He said the Opposition’s position on PNG’s efforts was to become a part of the global coalition on the fight against terrorism by way of putting ink on the accord if there is to be any.