Abal ready for aid talks with Rudd

FOREIGN Affairs, Trade and Immigration Minister Sam Abal is prepared to have more talks on Australian aid programme
to PNG with his Australian counterpart Kevin Rudd.
He said this when congratulating and welcoming the appointment of Rudd as the new foreign minster replacing Stephen Smith.
Abal said there had been much criticisms about the Australian aid programme to PNG and other Pacific Island countries, branding it as “boomerang aid” in reference to all the money going back to Australia through  the engagement of Australian firms and highly paid consultants, some of them earning more than their own prime minister.
He said he was prepared to meet Rudd to restart aid talks.
However, Abal said that PNG should seriously consider stopping the dependency syndrome
on all aid programmes and their consultants.
On another note, Abal warned foreigners coming to work in PNG to respect and help the people.
“I do not want to see foreigners, foreign consultants coming to PNG and treating Papua New Guineans like fools and a bunch of people who know nothing.
“They must work together with them and help them as much as possible,” he said when commenting on the newly launched PNG Immigration and Citizenship Service (PNGICS) on Monday.
Abal also thanked Rudd for taking a positive approach in strengthening relations with PNG and other Pacific Islands nations.
“I also commend the outgoing foreign minister Steven Smith, who is now the new defence minister, for his part in the overall relations and the successful bilateral talks on trade and the aid programme and  an  amicable atmosphere,” Abal said.