Troops ‘ready’ for terror attack

By JACKLYN SIRIAS
THE Defence Force is well equipped to respond to any terrorist attack during the Apec leaders’ summit in November, says Minister Justin Tkatchenko.
Minister for Apec Tkatchenko told media on Friday during the Apec security demonstration by the Long Range Reconnaissance Unit at the Air Transport Wing at 8-Mile in Port Moresby that the troops had been trained by Australian and New Zealand experts.
The troops performed a drill to show how they would respond to a terrorist attack or threat during Apec.
“The public must understand that there is lot of work being done behind the scenes to the lead-up to Apec, a clear example of the hardworking dedication by our defence force, especially here today, that has been training over the last four years,” Tkatchenko said.
He said the troops had been trained to get the security right for Apec and the lead-up, especially for the leaders’ summit in November.
“If we do not have the security right, than a lot of this world leaders won’t come to PNG,” Tkatchenko.
“So getting the security right is our priority so that we have all the world leaders here and with the Australians and New Zealanders working with our PNGDF and RPNGC that gives an extra confidence as well and expertise and professionalism that can be passed onto our people.”
He said they were embracing the training by making sure the skills would be retained long after Apec.
“It is not about economic empowering our country through Apec in the legislation and policy only, but also about securing our country into the future to be ready in case anything happens,” he added.
He acknowledged the efforts put in by the chief of force preparation Colonel Siale Diro and Police Commissioner Gari Baki.
Joint Taskforce commander Baki said: “This training is a capability that has been built over the years that demonstrates our preparedness in terms of all our security elements.
“This is an exercise that once the Apec is gone I have the desire that it must be joined and conducted together with the police so that there is a level of understanding on where we are in terms of the demarcations of responsibilities.”
Baki said the Defence Force was ready to support police during Apec.
“So the demonstration that you see this afternoon is a demonstration of any other counter-terrorist elements around the world that is preparing to support any government to deliver any important occasions like Apec in PNG,” he said.