Two PMs backing each other on historic walk
By GYNNIE KERO
PRIME Minister James Marape has assured his visiting Australian counterpart, Anthony Albanese, that he will “accompany him every step of the way on the 36-hour journey into the mountains”.
Marape made the remark during a dinner in Port Moresby before both men departed for Kokoda in Northern for a 13-km walk along the Kokoda Track to mark Anzac Day. The walk is expected to cover at least 13km of the 96km track made famous by Australians and locals during World War Two.
Marape said: “You (Albanese) said you will do Kokoda, and here you are. You are strong, resilient and determined.
“For the next 36 hours of our journey together in the mountains, I will be your number one security guard.
“I will walk with you every step of the way until you decide to call it quits. As truly as the Fuzzy Wuzzy angels who assisted the Australian soldiers back then, yours truly will try my very best to walk with you. I will lend a hand to you, you will lend a hand to me.
“As we walk tomorrow (yesterday), we pledge that the South Pacific must not be a place of war and strife again. May Kokoda be the last.”
Albanese reportedly told Channel Nine’s Today yesterday morning: “I am feeling a little bit nervous, to be honest. But I am also really excited. It is such an honour to walk in the footsteps of giants.
“These extraordinary Australian soldiers who defended our continent in our darkest hour.
“They were outnumbered to a certain degree by the Japanese forces. They showed sacrifice, courage and valor.
“I will also be walking with Prime Minister Marape. So it’s also about cementing (relations) walking side by side, Australia and Papua New Guinea.”
Flying over Northern in a helicopter on their way to Kokoda yesterday, Marape said: “As the chief of my country and our many people, it would be inhospitable of me to allow a friendly high chief of another sovereignty, the leader of his country, to travel himself deep into my territories.
“So I have to be my friend Honourable Albanese’s guide and security as it was from 1942 to 1945 where many Papua New Guineans were guides, care-givers and helpers.”
