PNG News Updates - Ousted PNG leader Michael Somare plans return, claims he is still prime minister

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Ousted PNG leader Michael Somare plans return, claims he is still prime minister

Australian Associated Press - September 1, 2011

PNG government to oust Michael Somare, MP claims - Australian Associated Press. August 30, 2011
10 percent of PNG lost in forest land grab - The Australian. May 21, 2011
Australia looks for PNG asylum solution as East Timor plan sinks - Sydney Morning Herald. May 6, 2011
PNG prime minister Somare suspended - Melbourne Age. March 25, 2011
PNG military fly dozens of Papuans to refugee camp in Western Province - Radio New Zealand International. February 11, 2011

Michael Somare has declared he is still Papua New Guinea's prime minister and his son says he will return to the country this weekend.

Mr Somare and his government were replaced last month. But Mr Somare, 76, said from Singapore, where he has been recovering from three heart operations since mid April, that he was ready to complete his term.

His son Arthur said Mr Somare would return to PNG to head off a rumoured attempt by the government to dump him from his parliamentary seat.

A successor to Mr Somare, treasurer Peter O'Neill, was elected on August 2. PNG's parliament voted 70-24 declare the position of prime minister vacant, ousting Mr Somare's government and his appointee for acting prime minister, Sam Abal.

"Sir Michael will come back to PNG specifically to turn up to parliament on Tuesday so that he remains the member of East Sepik," Arthur told reporters today.

"He will be returning to Papua New Guinea either Saturday or Sunday. I am certain (prime minister) Peter O'Neill knows this, I am certain (deputy prime minister) Belden Nahmah knows this, if Sir Michael does not come on Tuesday he will be disqualified from parliament."

Under PNG law, a sitting member of parliament can be dismissed if they miss three consecutive sittings of parliament.

Mr Somare said he hoped Sir Michael, 76, would retire from politics after more than 40 years as a member of parliament.

"I wish for my father to retire as soon as possible. There are processes that need to be followed. He will retire on his time," Mr Somare said. "This issue has been discussed by the family for a long period of time."

Former prime minister Somare was defiant today. "Let me be clear. I am ready, willing and able to complete my term as the only legally elected prime minister of Papua New Guinea," he said in a statement. "There has never been a vacancy in the position of prime minister."

The newspaper said the statement was emailed by Sir Michael's daughter and media adviser, Betha Somare, and bore his signature. It marks the second public statement by the self titled "Grand Chief" since his mid April departure. His first, in late April, was to deny he was ill.

Peter O'Neill, who was elected PNG prime minister on August 2, reportedly dismissed Sir Michael's statement.

"In so far as government is concerned, parliament has spoken overwhelmingly against (Sir Michael's) government and elected a new government," Mr O'Neill said. "As he has demonstrated many times in the past, we expect him to respect the clear mandate of parliament."

The O'Neill government has recalled parliament for an urgent sitting on September 6 to discuss the passage of bills it says were held up by the previous government.

But backers of Sir Michael say the move is a ploy to dump the veteran politician from his parliamentary seat.

Mr O'Neill and his government are also currently locking horns with the elements of the former government in the Supreme Court over the legality of Mr O'Neill's elevation to the top job. That case continues.