'Wonderful two years'-Skate

THIS is the full transcript of the announcement by the now for mer Papua New Guinea prime minister Bill Skate that he was resigning.

“I want to announce my resignation as the prime minister of this great nation. It has been a wonderful two years working as the Prime Minister of this country. I want to thank all the Christians around the country who have prayed for me and my government and all my 41 members who are still solid behind me. l am now calling all my members who have left to return to this Government and support it because this is the government they have formed

and this is the government they must see that it serves its five years.

“I thank my family and all the people in NCD who have supported me. This is not a vote of no-confidence, it is a vote of confidence and trust.

“I have been betrayed by my friends. I have been betrayed by those with ulte rior motives, I intend to ten der my letter of resignation to the Governor General by 10 o’clock tomorrow morn

ing.

“In the meantime, I will

obtain legal opinion to be acting Prime Minister until July 13 when Parliament will decide. I am calling on the Opposi tion to support the government because this is the government that made radical changes under my leadership, this is the government that the people want.

“I am proud to be the first Papuan Prime Minister. I would also like to thank the New Guinea Island leaders, Momase and the Highlands leaders who have sup ported my government.

“It has not been an easy decision for me. It is not that I am running away from my responsibilities but to show the people of Papua New Guinea that Bill Skate is a

different leader altogether, a leader who is not hungry for power, a leader who wants to put people’s interest first. This is why I’ve made the decision to resign.

“Secondly, I want this government to continue by implementing the decisions that I have introduced. I think I have learnt from my mistakes and I hope to return in year 2002 a better person and a stronger Prime Minister.

“I have also returned from Taiwan, it’s not a new thing, all the leaders have been talking about it but have no guts to make the decision. I think the decision made on behalf of the people of Papua New Guinea

is to look north, friends to all and enemies to none. I am waiting for Roy Yaki to return from Taiwan and make a press statement on behalf of the government on what transpired in Taiwan.

I call upon all law abiding citizens of Papua New Guinea, I ask all my supporters right throughout the National Capital Dis trict to cooperate with the police and the investors and support the police to make sure that there are no law and order prob lems.

“I am sad to say that Australia thinks that PNG is their state. Australians think that they can continue dictating to us.

“They must now understand that Papua

New Guinea is more matured and sover eign state, they must respect us. Aus tralians are equally trading with Taiwan and why shouldn’t we go further and strengthen our relationship in that friend ship. I thank the media, one way or the other you have crucified me but at the same time you have taught me something, you have made me a better person, I say thank you and god bless Papua New Guinea and support my government.

“The Opposition and those that have left me, after betraying me, I forgive you, I want you back, come back and support your government. We will now be camp

ing out, all my boys will start moving to our camp where we will consolidate, and we’ll return and form the government on July 13. My resignation is very simple, politics has been very volatile and fluid, I cannot afford to lose any of my mem bers.

I have to keep them with me, it’s got nothing to do with Aus tralian influence in me. It is said that Australians are putting up Sir Mekere Morauta, but Papua New Guineans should decide who should be Prime Minister “I am resigning basically to sta bilise politics. I have to give the

investors the confidence that the govern ment does not need to be changed because if there has to be change, it has to be change within the government caucus.

“If it has been found that I am the obstacle, it is better to remove that obsta cle to get the government moving, and I choose that, for the good of investors and Papua New Guinea.

“It has nothing to do with the Aus tralian influence here.

“I would still have the number, but it won’t be good for Papua New Guinea by going to the floor of Parliament. There is no motion on the floor (of Parliament). We are consolidating to move forward.” ■

Bill Skate faces the press, announcing his resignation as prime minister of PNG after a turbulent two years