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Sports |
Australia deeply unhappy over
‘negatives’ in editorial viewpoint
READERS of last Thursday’s (Aug 16)
editorial in The National have a right to be confused.
On the one hand, the editorial rehashed unfounded allegations
that Australia tried to interfere in the PNG election. Yet it
also criticised us for saying that the election was “a matter
for the people and the Parliament of PNG”.
And while The National regularly and wrongly accuses Australia
of painting a negative picture of PNG, it is unhappy that we
congratulated the country on holding “free and fair elections”.
The National is entitled to its opinion on the Moti affair, but
so are we. Let’s be clear about what happened. A legitimate
request from a friendly country seeking the arrest of one of its
citizens for alleged child sex offences was flouted in breach of
PNG law.
We remain deeply unhappy about that. We have called for a
transparent inquiry and meaningful follow-up ever since Moti’s
escape and we will continue to do so.
Thursday’s editorial insinuated that our interest was political,
claiming Moti only became a fugitive after he was appointed
Solomon Islands attorney-general.
The fact is that Australian investigations into Moti’s case
began in January 2005, over a year before the current Solomon
Islands government came to office in April 2006.
A warrant for his arrest was sworn on Aug 11, 2006, well before
he was appointed attorney-general on Sept 21, 2006.
Australia’s position on these issues is consistent and based on
facts.
It is a pity the same cannot be said for The National.
Leigh Arnold
Public diplomacy manager,
Australian High Commission,
Port Moresby
 
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