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HEALTH Minister Sir Peter Barter has criticised Australian foreign
minister Alexander Downer for telling PNG not to employ Cuban doctors to
solve its doctor shortage problem.
Sir Peter, originally from Sydney, but now a PNG citizen, revealed on
Monday that Mr Downer sent him a letter urging PNG not to employ Cuban
doctors after the idea was first raised last year.
He said the letter, forwarded through the Australian High Commission in
Port Moresby, warned that bringing in Cuban doctors could destabilised
security in the Pacific.
“I felt that his letter was totally out of place,” Sir Peter told AAP.
“We just wrote back and said, ‘Really it’s our concern whether we bring
Cuban doctors. We started by saying we appreciated Australian
assistance; the reality is we need doctors’.”
He said Mr Downer and Australian prime minister John Howard had a lot to
learn about the Pacific.
PNG and the Solomon Islands are both looking at welcoming in Cuban
doctors to fill their doctor shortages following a positive response
from Havana.
Next week, a delegation leaves for Havana to look at the competency of
Cuban doctors and to select a first batch of 20 doctors to work in the
country.
Sir Peter also gave a frank assessment of PNG Prime Minister Sir Michael
Somare, saying he had been badly advised at times.
The Health Minister said he was not happy with the way Sir Michael was
looking north towards Asia as opposed to PNG’s traditional friendship
with Australia.
“But I think the Australian government was equally at fault over that
one as well, it takes two to tango,” he said.
“I think Downer has got a lot to learn about the Pacific and I think
probably John Howard has as well.
“They haven’t played it very well. You don’t antagonise a proud guy like
Somare – he’ll just retaliate,” Sir Peter said. — PNS
 
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