PM, Dadae deny part by soldiers

PRIME Minister Sir Michael Somare yesterday welcomed the intervention of armed soldiers in a civil matter in Wewak last weekend.
He, however, contradicted himself by denying The National’s front page report yesterday, saying: “I was at home, nothing transpired.”
He also did not clarify whether the heavily armed soldiers in uniform were deployed according to law and the Constitution.
Sir Michael said this in a question and answer session in Parliament yesterday.
The soldiers were deployed to Makon village after the killing of a lawyer’s son sparked a feud between the victim’s villagers and illegal settlers.
Lawyer Alois Jerewai’s eldest son, Kelly, 31, was stabbed to death by settlers in a robbery on May 5.
Villagers reacted by burning down houses in the illegal settlement.
Jerewai, who owns the land where the settlers are squatting on, wanted the settlers evicted so that he could bury his son in the middle of the settlement.
Earlier in Parliament, Defence Minister Bob Dadae said the soldiers from Moem Barracks were on a rescue mission in Wewak and were not taking sides in the dispute.
He said the soldiers merely went to the troubled area to rescue helpless family members caught in the fighting at the settlement.
Dadae said while he respected The National for its reporting, the commanding officer at the barracks sent the soldiers to rescue family members.
“They were not taking sides in the conflict but getting family members back to the barracks. If the soldiers were deployed, then approval must be sought from the Defence council.
“There was no involvement of the prime minister or the PNG Defence Force commander,” he said.
Sir Michael backed Dadae, and said: “What the minister said is quite correct.
“Wewak also does not have a big police force and the defence force’s intervention in quelling trouble is welcome.”