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Assaigo reveals all
JOSEPH Assaigo, former director of the
Security Coordination and Assessment (OSCA), has filed papers in court
admitting to giving the orders to get fugitive Julian Moti out of the
country because the directions had come from the Prime Minister.
His revealing remarks were among papers he filed last Thursday to
challenge the decision of Chief Secretary Joshua Kalinoe to find him
guilty of disciplinary charges laid against him over the Moti issue.
He is also challenging a decision by the National Executive Council to
dismiss him from his job over the controversial issue.
Mr Assaigo was charged on Nov 10, 2006, following an independent
investigation ordered by the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare into the
Moti issue. On Feb 1, 2007, Mr Kalinoe wrote to him saying he was guilty
of insubordination and disobeyed lawful orders, and was being referred
to the Secretary for the Department of Personnel Management to be
punished.
Ironically, Mr Kalinoe and PNG Defence Force commander Peter Ilau were
also suspended after this investigation, but went to court and were
reinstated because proper processes were not followed and for breach of
natural justice.
Mr Assaigo is also seeking the same in court, to declare the decision of
Kalinoe and the NEC null and void.
In his statement to support his application, Mr Assaigo details what
happened between him, Mr Kalinoe, Prime Minister’s chief of staff
Leonard Louma, and Ambassador Barney Rongap on Oct 8, 9 and 10 before
Moti was secretly flown out.
He said on Oct 8, he was told by Mr Rongap that Mr Louma had advised
that the Prime Minister had directed the Chief Secretary to get rid of
Moti but they were not complying with the Prime Minister’s directions.
He said on Oct 9, Mr Louma expressed to him that the Prime Minister was
disappointed that the order to remove Moti had not been carried out.
He said that afternoon, he met and discussed with Mr Kalinoe the
logistical options available to remove Moti from PNG.
Mr Assaigo said on Oct 10, Mr Louma again rang him to say the Prime
Minister had given directions to him to have Moti removed.
The Chief Secretary was not involved here.
He said at about midday, he met Mr Louma and was directed to use either
the police helicopter “Eye in the Sky” or the PNGDF Air Squadron Unit to
fly Moti out.
Mr Assaigo said because of the risk involved, he was hesitant and wanted
to speak with the Chief Secretary first, but Mr Louma became “agitated
and angry” and assured him that should anything happen when he flew Moti
out, he had the protection of the Prime Minister.
He said he communicated the Prime Minister’s direction to acting
commander of the PNGDF Tom Urr, and the order was carried out.
In his statement filed in court, he explains that in respect of security
issues, the National Security Council is the supreme body, which the
Prime Minister chairs.
Below the NSC is the National Security Advisory Committee, which the
Chief Secretary chairs.
He said below the NSAC is the OSCA, which he is the director-general.
He said directions can come to OSCA from NSC without having to come from
NSAC.
“This is what happened in the repatriation of Moti. I was directed by
the chief of staff of the Prime Minister to get Moti out of PNG. The
direction was given by the Prime Minister in his capacity as the
chairman of NSC, through his chief of staff, who communicated the same
to me.”
He said the office of chief secretary was bypassed as Kalinoe was not
around that time.
Mr Assaigo has testified in the Defence Board of Inquiry, but it is
understood the inquiry is seeking to obtain the papers Mr Assaigo filed
in court.
 
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