Pomat: Talks must be give, take

ANY dialogue over the extension of the Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island should be a “give and take” type of approach that must be factored into the final agreement, Parliament Speaker Job Pomat says.
He said views of the people and of the government of Manus was for a fair dialogue that would consider the development needs of the province.
Pomat said any development on Manus should involve the leaders of the province so they also had their say in the negotiation.
“We are prepared to give our land but we must be given something in return,” he said.
“This means that the interest of the people of Manus is factored into the agreements and that must be delivered.”
Pomat said the people of Manus had experienced it from the agreements of the asylum seekers where they had become victims of someone else’s problems.
He said many of the social problems faced by the people were not of their making but were of the gesture and goodwill shown to Australia.
However, the indigenous people’s interest had been overlooked and abused, Pomat said.
“If the interest of the people is not catered for the agreement, then Manus will lose nothing, it will be the same Manus without any development on the island,” Pomat said.
“However any negotiation and agreement must be a give and take approach and that is our stance.
“Manus will loss nothing, it will still be the same Manus without those facilities so there will be no project if it is not going to be a give and take kind of negations.’