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By Benny Sandeka
Discussions are underway for a private security firm to align itself with PNG Defence Force in the provision of critical military business of intelligence sharing, training and use of military infrastructures. Under the proposed arrangements, both PNGDF military personnel will co-habit the military barracks and share critical facilities with staff and management of the private security firm on commercial mutually agreed terms.
British registered security firm, G4S is in talks with PNGDF hierarchy for both parties to forge strategic alliances. Under this alliance, G4S is offering among other things, high tech military hardware in aircraft and sea going vessel detection, provision of static guard in different military establishments and training for PNGDF personnel on equal par with the G4S security personnel.
However, their cooperation will only be limited to PNG’s territory. This means, PNGDF and G4S will only work together in common security interest within PNG borders.
The trans-national security firm is also willing to provide vocational training for PNGDF personnel leaving the force for their re-entry into civilian life and where possible, it is expected to take up bulk of former military personnel
In return, G4S is seeking from PNGDF all unused military facilities at Murray Barracks Area including accommodation, messing as well as Air Transport Wing facilities to expand its business in PNG. It is willing to upgrade and use on commercial terms with PNGDF.
The security firm is expected to recruit more than 1000 personnel and is especially interested in the single quarter accommodation at Murray Barracks together with other houses which are currently in state of disrepair. It is expected to refurbish these houses for its staff for a possible co-habitation with military personnel especially around Murray Barracks area. It has also expressed interest to increase meals provided by the catering firm to also cater for G4S staff once they move into the military barracks.
G4S has interest in provision of security in the country’s mining sector. With the growth of the mining industry in the country, it expects new contracts and is planning to increase its manpower to about 7,000 personnel.
The Defence Council, consisting of Defence Minister, PNGDF Commander and Defence Secretary, have been fully briefed. Former PNGDF Commander, Commodore Peter Ilau has written to the Prime Minister’s office highlighting the ongoing discussions with the internationally renowned security firm, G4S.
But the new PNGDF Commander, Brigadier General Francis Agwi said, whilst there are ongoing discussions with the private security provider, there are legal implications which may not allow this partnership to materialize. Section 200 (1) of the National Constitution strictly prohibits the establishments, organization, equipping, training and association with unauthorized forces except that which is provided for within the National Constitution.
Continuous neglect of the PNGDF over the years, coupled with the downsizing of PNGDF from a total manning of 3000 to 1500, has left many military facilities and critical equipment unused, left dilapidated and obsolete making them easy targets for commercial interest.
G4S is an international security firm providing security services to the United States as well as British military in key critical areas. Recently, they have a security contracts with the US and British military for the provision of security services to their nuclear power plants.
Their move to integrate with PNGDF is a new concept of Military Business currently sweeping through the globe where private security firms are engaged by governments to provide military service functions. The United States currently has security personnel serving as soldiers in the front-lines in Iraq and Afghanistan. On the other hand, Britain has engaged ‘private military business’ to provide static security guards to important government installations.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, such private military companies thrive in areas of high security risks and conflicts especially in resource rich countries.
For more information: nalatimes@daltron.com.pg or benny.sandeka@gmail.com
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
PNG HEADING FOR DICTATORSHIP
- Attorney General warns of immature politicians and powerful multi-national corporations colluding to interfere in the third arm of government.
- All ingredients for a maturing dictatorship are already present in PNG
Judges of the National and Supreme Courts have been told in no uncertain terms this week that the independence of the third arm of government is being question in the public arena and fears the last bastion of the country’s democracy may become a joke within the next thirty years.
Attorney General, Dr. Allan Marat told a Ceremonial Court sitting in Port Moresby this week that “there are very serious issues being raised in court cases, the media and homes” about the independence of the judges relating to “conflict of interest” issues.
The Attorney General said: “Instances of ‘conflict of interest’ and ‘independence’ of judge are numerous. Some have been reported in judgments, some have been addressed administratively within the judiciary itself and some are tormenting the conscience of some judges.”
“There are signs of maturing dictatorship in PNG and PNG has all the ingredients of corporatocracy, namely major corporations, international banks and colluding governments.
“The influx of mercenaries, occur as a matter of course. Manipulation by outside political and commercial interests in increasing and mercenaries have been brought into PNG under the guise of consultants.”
The Attorney General said, this developments are hair-raising and called on the courts to be wary of these developments and begin to design appropriate judicial attitudes to address them when they are presented in the court of law.
“There is a trend developing in PNG and the courts must be cognizant of it. More and more young, greedy and immature so-called leaders through their association with foreign economic hit men are becoming greedy and have sold this country to multi-million Corporations,” the Justice Minister said.
“There are now so much foreign interest at stake in this country. And unless the law enforcers, including the courts wake up to this development….our judiciary is going to be a joke to this corporatocracy in the next thirty to fifty years.”
The Justice Minister and Attorney General says, closely related to the issue of independence of the judiciary is the undue delays in the delivery of judgments in cases.
“When these young, greedy and immature so-called leaders are referred to the courts for obvious failures to observe the rule of law, their cases come before the Courts and then, what happens?”
The Attorney General said judgments are delayed as dates are stretched out for far too long and these immature, greedy so-called leaders continue to govern a people who are crying for justice.
Dr. Marat said, a judge who delays a ruling, is responsible to some extent for additional problems emanating from delayed judgments. The Attorney General says, such behviour will only entrench corporatocracy in PNG and erode the respect people have for the courts in this country.
“In these circumstance, your Honours must take effective measures to defend the mineral, energy and other resources of PNG by handing down judgments as quickly as possible.
“Your decisions whether to reserve judgment for a long period of time or not must be inspired soley by the need to protect national interests and in the unrestricted defense of PNG’s sovereign rights,” Dr. Marat said.
- All ingredients for a maturing dictatorship are already present in PNG
Judges of the National and Supreme Courts have been told in no uncertain terms this week that the independence of the third arm of government is being question in the public arena and fears the last bastion of the country’s democracy may become a joke within the next thirty years.
Attorney General, Dr. Allan Marat told a Ceremonial Court sitting in Port Moresby this week that “there are very serious issues being raised in court cases, the media and homes” about the independence of the judges relating to “conflict of interest” issues.
The Attorney General said: “Instances of ‘conflict of interest’ and ‘independence’ of judge are numerous. Some have been reported in judgments, some have been addressed administratively within the judiciary itself and some are tormenting the conscience of some judges.”
“There are signs of maturing dictatorship in PNG and PNG has all the ingredients of corporatocracy, namely major corporations, international banks and colluding governments.
“The influx of mercenaries, occur as a matter of course. Manipulation by outside political and commercial interests in increasing and mercenaries have been brought into PNG under the guise of consultants.”
The Attorney General said, this developments are hair-raising and called on the courts to be wary of these developments and begin to design appropriate judicial attitudes to address them when they are presented in the court of law.
“There is a trend developing in PNG and the courts must be cognizant of it. More and more young, greedy and immature so-called leaders through their association with foreign economic hit men are becoming greedy and have sold this country to multi-million Corporations,” the Justice Minister said.
“There are now so much foreign interest at stake in this country. And unless the law enforcers, including the courts wake up to this development….our judiciary is going to be a joke to this corporatocracy in the next thirty to fifty years.”
The Justice Minister and Attorney General says, closely related to the issue of independence of the judiciary is the undue delays in the delivery of judgments in cases.
“When these young, greedy and immature so-called leaders are referred to the courts for obvious failures to observe the rule of law, their cases come before the Courts and then, what happens?”
The Attorney General said judgments are delayed as dates are stretched out for far too long and these immature, greedy so-called leaders continue to govern a people who are crying for justice.
Dr. Marat said, a judge who delays a ruling, is responsible to some extent for additional problems emanating from delayed judgments. The Attorney General says, such behviour will only entrench corporatocracy in PNG and erode the respect people have for the courts in this country.
“In these circumstance, your Honours must take effective measures to defend the mineral, energy and other resources of PNG by handing down judgments as quickly as possible.
“Your decisions whether to reserve judgment for a long period of time or not must be inspired soley by the need to protect national interests and in the unrestricted defense of PNG’s sovereign rights,” Dr. Marat said.
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