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Date Posted: 11:12:38 03/13/02 Wed
Author: Buffy's vampire
Subject: PNG mutiny all the rage in Moresby


THE blame for the current mutiny in Wewak's Moem Barracks has been shifted back to PNG Defence Force Commander Peter Ilau and senior personnel within the Department of Defence.
A group of soldiers claiming to represent the hundreds of soldiers identified for retrenchment at both Taurama and Murray Barracks in Port Moresby, yesterday fronted up at The National's Waigani office calling for Brigadier-General Ilau's removal.
The group members requested anonymity for fear of possible reprisals from Defence Headquarters, but stressed that they supported most of the demands made by their colleagues at Moem, except their call for Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta to step down.
They said Sir Mekere and his Government had done their part in providing the resources and finances for the retrenchment exercise within the PNGDF, but it was the Defence hierarchy that must be held accountable.
They claimed that a senior public servant within the Department of Defence (name withheld) was influencing Mr Ilau and causing unnecessary problems for the soldiers.
They said the issue of their entitlements has never been properly addressed, including payouts being made, and their families have been made to suffer because their fortnightly salaries have now been stopped.
"We are saying the Government is all right, the blame should be laid squarely on the Defence hierarchy. Because of infighting there, they are not implementing the Government's decision," they said.
The group also disagreed with Brig-Gen Ilau's statement that unit commanders, especially at Moem, should be blamed for not properly informing the troops.
They called on Brig-Gen Ilau to "stop passing the buck" because it is the responsibility of headquarters to go down to the units and explain what was really happening.
They said despite Brig-Gen Ilau's assurance that the situation was under control, tension was still high and issues like ex-gratia and resettlement entitlements must be sorted out immediately.
Brig-Gen Ilau had told a press conference on Monday that the philosophy behind the rebuilding program for the PNGDF was not to just downsize the army in isolation.
He said 2000 soldiers will be the "ground zero level", from where the army will be rebuilt.
He also said the Department of Personnel Management would confirm how much money each soldier should receive under the whole exercise.

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