Papua New Guinea is not taking any sides when it comes to the North Korea issue.
This was highlighted by Minister for Foreign affairs and Trade Rimbink Pato on the floor of parliament today.
He was responding to questions by Opposition MP and Rabaul Open MP, Dr Allan Marrat on PNG’s Foreign policy of “PNG Connect” as well as the countries readiness if there ever were nuclear ballistic missiles launched into the Pacific.
“The position of PNG supporting the United States or Australia when it comes to North Korea is misconstrued.
“We are not speaking to support them rather we are seeking to implement a number of resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, which has required North Korea to take up a program of denuclearization, which it has not adhered to,” said Pato.
He said the countries new foreign policy “PNG connect” is currently under review.
“In pursuit of our policy which is under review at the moment, PNG’s foreign policy is a matter of constant review, PNG connect is the position that’s been put, in the context of all of this, our policy is to connect.”
“It is very important that we must take a position that is in the way the world is, because the world is in the connected path, and Papua New Guinea is not the same PNG as it was 42 years ago, it’s a regional player.”
Pato was unable to give a detailed reply to Dr Marrats series of Questions which included the following.
1. What is the countries policy on nuclear arms and disarmament?
2. What steps had the National Government taken against such threats from North Korea that would not necessarily expose PNG to a nuclear disaster?
3. What capacity does PNG have to counter Nuclear radiation and any other consequential environmental damage from North Korea actually firing a ballistic missile into the Pacific.
4. Why can’t the National government move away from its dependence of Foreign military powers and begin steps to become self reliant in its defence development programs.
5. What compromises on our National Sovereignty have the executive governments in the past until now exchanged for dependence of Foreign military powers?
Pato said he will give a detailed reply in the next session of parliament.