Robert@PNG

Like Sheep!!

(Note that in PNG the political party with the highest number of MP's is invited to form government - with counting over - the race is on to woe newly elected MP's into one of several camps).

Story as it appeared in Friday's issue of the Post Courier…

THE Kokopo camp hosted by Sir Michael Somare’s
group last night had lured parties representing a possible 75 members of
Parliament to its government-forming talks.
Some were committed, others were looking and listening, say observers.
At least 14 political parties were represented in the camp in the East New
Britain capital in shades of the 2002 lobbying sessions held in the same place.
Among the politicians flying into Tokua airport to join the National
Alliance-led camp were members and advisers from the Pangu Pati, Peoples
Democratic Movement and the PNG Country Party.
Several Independents had been snapped up by the NA tacticians, including two new
MPs from Milne Bay.
In Port Moresby, the rival camp headed by ex-Treasurer Bart Philemon and former
prime ministers Sir Julius Chan and Sir Mekere Morauta was continuing to keep a
lid on its plans and movements, but tossed up a challenging “grand coalition’’
tempter. Insiders at the Hideaway camp said the group’s leaders were willing to
work with a government led by current Deputy Prime Minister Don Polye or Lands
Minister Dr Puka Temu.
Mr Polye refused to take the bait, saying the mature leaders of his party caucus
would decide on the leadership.
He also refused to say if his Highlands bloc of MPs was pushing for the prime
ministership.
Meanwhile, former chief justice Sir Arnold Amet was sweeping to victory in the
delayed Madang Regional seat, squashing controversial leaders Jim Kas and Peter
Yama, when a legal challenge halted the vote-counting.