Two wrong moves, PNG

PAPUA New Guinea has erred on two occasions this year: First, it condemned North Korea and then voted against the United States decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Both issues don’t affect PNG’s national interests directly and there were better options available.
On North Korea, PNG would not have had any material impact on the conflict should there be one.
North Korea had the perfect reaction to this condemnation: They did not give any response to the condemnation even though they reacted to
Australia who condemned North Korea.
The implication is clear: Do not respond to a toothless dog which barks at you.
North Korea’s reaction was diplomatic mockery of PNG but the minister didn’t get it when he rebuked North Korea again.
On the Jerusalem issue, the best choice would have been to abstain, like Australia did.
The Jerusalem decision neither benefits nor disadvantages PNG.
Mexico is a good example. They didn’t agree with the US, and even rebuked the US in their speech to the UN, but abstained.
As Apec host, abstaining would have been best suited for such controversial issue.
The unnecessary and unprovoked decisions of foreign affairs to condemn North Korea and vote against US’s Jerusalem decision may be seen as narcissism.

Michael Kabuni
Port Moresby