fly the

PNG will fly the 'peace flag'

Although not yet independent, and ilthough Australia is still responsible ‘or her overseas affairs, Papua New Guinea is quietly developing a ; oreign policy.

PNG is keen to identify itself imong the nations of the world, and dready several countries have quietly ‘invaded” the country over the last or so with foreign representa ;ion. These include Britain, Indo lesia, New Zealand and Australia— i full-blown diplomatic corps in the naking.

PNG has already set up overseas >ffices in Canberra and Sydney, and vill soon add offices in Wellington, Suva, Jakarta, Tokyo and New York.

Fhese offices will undertake a full ange of diplomatic, trade and con sular functions.

The PNG Chief Minister, Mr Michael Somare, believes PNG must idopt what he calls a “universalist stance”. While she was interested in ‘he ideological and security questions which faced the world today, PNG would not neglect its commitment to her people by involving herself in international squabbling on those issues, he said.

PNG will not seek any form of ideological or military grouping with the big powers. PNG supports a zone of true peace and neutrality in the oceans which lie on either side—the Pacific and the Indian. PNG wants them to be kept free of the arms race in which the big powers competed for military prestige. Although not yet a member of the United Nations, PNG believes in the principles of the UN charter, and will co-operate with all efforts to promote peace, security and international justice.

The basic foreign policy has already been laid down by the Minister for Defence, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Mr Albert Maori Kiki and the PNG Cabinet. Mr Kiki’s portfolio covers three important and sensitive departments of government, all closely linked. As time passes it is likely that each department will have a separate minister, as foreign affairs, defence and trade will be too much for one man.

PNG will be no fledgling in foreign affairs when it becomes independent.

The country has already been directly involved in international meetings and negotiations—trade talks with Japan,

and formalising border agreements with her nearest neighbour, Indonesia, „ . . .

In foreign economic policies, Papua New Guinea enters what Mr Somare calls “a period of exciting economic challenge” as she realises the extent and wealth of her natural resources. In realising her resource potential, he says two factors will underlie every decision made on foreign economic policy: • That about 95 per cent of the people live in a traditional village society; • A system of real values, the mainstay of the country’s society, has developed over hundreds of years.

Mr Somare says these values will not be destroyed for the sake of what is known as development and rofiress v & Several PNG leaders, notably the Chief Minister, and the Finance Minister, Mr Julius Chan, have laid down the terms for foreign invest ment. Basically foreign investment will be on PNG terms for the benefit of the PNG people, while still allow mg investors profit from their enter prise (see p 102), There is no intention on the part of the present government to take Papua New Guinea out of the British Commonwealth. Mr Somare, during

4/7 office in Suva

he Royal tour of PNG by the Queen ;arlier this year said it was his per ;onal hope that the flag of PNG vould soon fly alongside the flags >f other Commonwealth countries. 3 NG would benefit from contacts vith the African bloc and Caribbean :ountries in the Commonwealth.

Zontact with those countries could ead to cultural exchange and a greater understanding and co iperation in solving similar develop nent problems.

PNG would maintain its trade links vith Britain, and through Britain with he EEC. Much of the foreign policy vould be directed to relationships vith other Pacific countries.

Mr Somare believes the Pacific islands can best protect their in erests and further their aspirations hrough regional co-operation. PNG vill have a role in the South Pacific 'orum, where she meets Island leighbours on an equal footing. An ndication of the importance she ittaches to her relationship with her sland neighbours is the decision to et up an office in Suva.

But PNG is also keen to have a >etter understanding with Indonesia

and other Asian countries within the

ASEAN regional grouping. PNG

supports the tormation of regional groupings of countries with common interests and objectives, and is keenly interested in proposals for a quadri partite grouping covering PNG, Indo nesia, Australia and New Zealand.

Overall, PNG is aiming at a home grown foreign policy, and not one with large sections grafted on by others, or borrowed from others.

Thus, she is prepared to take her time about developing her foreign affairs policy, and not jump in too quickly to form alliances, or take sides on world issues.

Almost coinciding with the official opening of Papua New Guinea House was the appointment of three diplo matic appointments in overseas posts.

Mr Robin Kumaina, Representative of the PNG Government in Sydney, will go to Jakarta as Commissioner and Representative to the Indonesian Government. Mr Leo Morgan, re cently Assistant Secretary, Ministerial Services in the Department of the Chief Minister and Development Administration is Commissioner in Wellington and Representative to the NZ Government. Mr Vincent Eri is in Sydney as Representative (see p 93 for background).