RSS Feed
March 15th, 2012 
FAKE NEWS for the Zionist agenda AAP
The federal opposition has accused Foreign Minister Bob Carr of putting Australia’s relationship with Papua New Guinea at risk by threatening the country with sanctions.
Coalition foreign affairs spokeswoman Julie Bishop says Senator Carr’s comments could also undermine Australia’s standing in the region.
“One of Senator Carr’s highest priorities should have been to repair the relationship with Papua New Guinea,” Ms Bishop said on Thursday.
“But his decision to threaten them with sanctions will create more tension.”
Senator Carr on Wednesday threatened a sharp Australian response if PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill heeds internal calls to put off mid-year elections.
He said it was vital Mr O’Neill commit unequivocally to a June polling date because delay would create a “shocking model” for the Pacific.
“We’d have no alternative but to organise the world to condemn and isolate Papua New Guinea,” he said.
“We’d be in a position of having to consider sanctions.
“So I take this opportunity to urge the government to see that those elections take place, keeping Papua New Guinea in the cycle of five-yearly elections.”
Mr O’Neill has repeatedly pledged a full, free and fair election for late June but his deputy and other MPs want it delayed for 12 months.
Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah says the poll must be pushed back to give the government more time to implement its policies and give electoral authorities more time to properly prepare.
But Ms Bishop said Senator Carr did the wrong thing in reaching for the megaphone.
“He is off to a poor start as Australia’s foreign minister by jeopardising one of the most important relationships in our region,” she said.
“It would be far more constructive for the new foreign minister to extend the hand of support to the government of Papua New Guinea as they work towards the next round of parliamentary elections.”
Mr Carr should also have met personally with PNG leaders and discussed the issue with them before grandstanding in the media, Ms Bishop said.
The calls for an election delay follow months of political intrigue and instability in the nation that has seen Mr O’Neill in a power tussle with his predecessor, Sir Michael Somare.
Views: 0
Posted in 
Tags: 
