PM extends condolences to people of Indonesia

Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, pictured, has extended the condolences of the people of Papua New Guinea to the people of Indonesia following the devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Sulawesi last week.
“A disaster of this scale is beyond the imagination, it is so confronting, and has taken many lives,” he said.
“Our thoughts and our prayers are with the people of Indonesia.
“If there is any support that Papua New Guinea can provide to Indonesia in this time of need, we stand ready to assist.”
O’Neill said the tragedy of earthquake and tsunami was known to PNG.
“Papua New Guinea knows only too well the carnage that can be wrought by nature,” he said.
“The Highlands earthquake this year demonstrated the devastation that can occur.
“We also lost more than 2000 people when the Aitape tsunami struck our coast.”
O’Neill said the concerns of Papua New Guineans were shared with Indonesian delegates visiting Port Moresby last week in preparation for the Apec leaders’ summit in November.
“This week a number of Indonesian Apec delegates have visited Port Moresby in preparation of Apec, and their grief and concern was very clear,” he said.
“This disaster has affected the people of Indonesia, and we share in their sorrow.
“Papua New Guineans extends our sympathies of to the people of Indonesia.”