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Short and sweet battle settled the presidency again no need The Battle Of 4 Tans. 
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/world-news/6317559/Reports-of-coup-in-PNG-capital
Travel warning after PNG mutiny
Last updated 17:45 26/01/2012
New Zealanders are being warned that there is "some risk" to their security in Papua New Guinea due to growing political unrest.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) today advised New Zealanders to limit travel around Port Moresby after soldiers loyal to ousted prime minister Sir Michael Somare raided barracks in the capital.
A spokesman for MFAT said the ministry had updated its travel advice as political tensions may increase over the next few months with elections scheduled in June.
"New Zealanders are advised to avoid large gathering due to the potential for violence, to monitor local events closely and to maintain a high degree of security awareness," he said.
The New Zealand High Commission - which is right next door to Parliament - was monitoring developments.
"It is important that this situation is resolved as soon as possible and Prime Minister [Peter] O'Neill has said that the authorities are taking steps to manage the situation," the spokesman said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully was unavailable to comment as he is in Ethiopia.
Labour's foreign affairs spokesman Phil Goff said if reports of a possible coup were true, New Zealand needed to urgently work with its Pacific neighbours and Papua New Guinea to "uphold the country's constitution".
"Papua New Guinea has significant problems to work through in its internal political system and the social and economic challenges it faces.
"Intervention by military force provides no solutions."
Goff said having soldiers seize power takes away democratic rights and opens up the prospect of abuse of power and lack of accountability.
"The army has no skills to address social and economic challenges and in almost every case around the world has failed to do so when they take control."
It was understood 12 to 20 rebel troops stormed Taurama Barracks in the early morning, before moving to the headquarters of the defence forces, Murray Barracks.
The soldiers confined Francis Agwi, the commander of the country's Defence Force and another senior officer to their homes at Murray Barracks overnight.
They replaced the chief commander in what could be a ploy to help Somare return to power, local media reported. Retired Colonel Yaura Sasa was now claiming to be in charge of the military.
He has called on the governor general to reinstate Somare as prime minister and has given the nation's politicians seven days to decide who is in charge of the country.
"My task is restoring the integrity and respect of the constitution and the judiciary,'' Sasa said, from the commander's office in Port Moresby's Murray barracks.
"I am now calling on the head of state (Governor General Sir Michael Ogio) to immediately implement Sir Michael's post as prime minister.''
He said O'Neill must recall parliament and give the nation's 109 members of parliament a seven-day deadline to "sort out'' the constitutional mess.
There were no immediate reports of violence at the barracks or in the streets of Port Moresby.
"I can confirm that there is a mutiny," the deputy editor of the Post-Courier newspaper, Peter Korugl, told Reuters. Members of the First Pacific Islands Regiment were behind the action, he added.
Australia appeared to confirm the move against Brigadier General Agwi and called for a restoration in the line of command in Papua New Guinea's defence forces.
"We urge that the situation be resolved as soon as possible, and that the Papua New Guinea Defence Force chain of command is restored," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
It added, however, that an Australian diplomat had even spoken to Agwi since his seizure, lending weight to reports that Papua New Guinea authorities were trying to calm the situation.
Australians in the city were also told to limit their travel and exercise a high degree of caution.
The initial, sketchy reports followed weeks of political instability, with Somare challenging the legitimacy of O'Neill's government.
Somare was replaced by O'Neill last August after his seat was declared vacant while he received medical treatment in Singapore.
The Supreme Court last month ordered Somare's reinstatement but parliament rejected that. Last week, he tried to enter parliament waving a court order but O'Neill threatened him with arrest.
Frank Kolma, the editor in chief of The National newspaper in Papua New Guinea, said the rebels were using the phrase "Operation Protect the Constitution".
Kolma, who drove past Murray Barracks earlier on Thursday, said that although the city was calm, a large number of cars were parked outside the barracks and few people appeared to be going in or out.
There was no obvious display of firearms, he said.
"We hear that the commander has been asked not to leave his house. He is virtually under house arrest at Murray Barracks in the centre of Port Moresby," Kolma told Reuters.
The ABC also speculated whether the mutiny could instead be related to unhappiness within the ranks over pay and conditions following cutbacks to defence spending. It noted that some soldiers had been planning to stage a protest in coming days.
"At this stage it is not clear if the incident is related to the conflict between Peter O'Neill and Sir Michael Somare over the country's prime ministership, or if it is the work of disgruntled soldiers," ABC said on its website.
Last month, O'Neill declared victory in the standoff after the governor general named him the legitimate head of government. The country's civil service, police and army leaders also backed O'Neill, though the ABC speculated that some sections of the army could still be supportive of Somare.
For many Papua New Guineans, the crisis is a contest between the old political guard of Somare - known as "The Chief" who led the country to independence - and O'Neill's administration, which is seen offering a fresh, more open alternative.
Fairfax NZ, with Reuters and AAP
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/傳巴布亞紐幾內亞發生...F0A.Wci.mamwRwdANzZWN0aW9ucwR0ZXN0Aw--;_ylv=3
傳巴布亞紐幾內亞發生軍事政變
中廣新聞網中廣新聞網 – 2012年1月26日 上午8:33
有媒體報導，「巴布亞紐幾內亞」首都發生軍事政變。
澳洲國家廣播公司報導，效忠遭罷黜、前總理「薩梅爾」的軍人在首都發動不流血政變。
澳廣報導，今天凌晨，一群軍人攻擊國防部隊總部，並軟禁軍隊將領「阿格威」。
澳洲外交暨貿易部提出警告，呼籲澳洲公民不要前往「巴布亞紐幾內亞」首都，以防遭遇危險動亂。
目前各國際媒體都試圖連絡當地，以了解「巴布亞紐幾內亞」實際情況。
巴紐總理「歐尼爾」與前總理「薩梅爾」之間奪權鬥爭已經持續了好幾個月，最高法院支持76歲的「薩梅爾」，因為「薩梅爾」是在出國就醫時，遭「歐尼爾」非法奪權推翻下臺，但支持「歐尼爾」的國會議員通過追溯法，讓「歐尼爾」合法成為國家領袖。
http://news.google.com/news/more?hl...sult&ct=more-results&resnum=1&ved=0CDAQqgIwAA
Full coverage
Travel warning after PNG mutiny
Stuff.co.nz - 2 minutes ago
New Zealanders are being warned that there is "some risk" to their security in Papua New Guinea due to growing political unrest. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) today advised New Zealanders to limit travel around Port Moresby after ...
Dumped prime minister Sir Michael Somare ordered army mutiny
NEWS.com.au - 12 minutes ago
There's more unrest in PNG, with reports a group of soldiers staged a mutiny at the country's army barracks. Sir Michael Somare is fighting to stay in power. Picture: AFP Source: The Australian PAPUA New Guinea's deputy prime minister has given ...
Rebel Leader Demands Return of Former Papua New Guinea PM
Voice of America (blog) - 31 minutes ago
A retired military commander who claims to have taken over Papua New Guinea's armed forces has given a seven-day deadline for the government to re-instate former Prime Minister Michael Somare. Reports say Yaura Sasa and at least a dozen rebel soldiers ...
PNG military set deadline for return of former PM
TVNZ - 36 minutes ago
The leader of a mutiny in Papua New Guinea has demanded the governor-general reinstate former Prime Minister Michael Somare and set a seven-day deadline for lawmakers to resolve a constitutional crisis. The Pacific Island nation has been through a ...
Soldiers oust PNG defence chief amid power struggle
BBC News - 43 minutes ago
A group of soldiers in Papua New Guinea say they have taken control of the military and are demanding the reinstatement of the ousted PM. The apparent mutiny, involving 12-20 soldiers, took place early in the morning in Port Moresby, reports said.
PNG ex commander says seized control of military
AFP - 56 minutes ago
PORT MORESBY — A former military commander in Papua New Guinea Thursday claimed to have seized control of the country's armed forces and demanded that ousted prime minister Michael Somare be reinstated. The dramatic move appeared to be connected with a ...
Official statement from Colonel Sasa
The Australian - 1 hour ago
''I have been duly appointed by the Government of Sir Michael Somare, through the National Executive Council to become the Commander of the PNG Defence Force, replacing Brigadier General Francis Agwi. Given the current political situation, ...
Papua New Guinea's rival prime ministers
BBC News - 1 hour ago
Amid the ongoing power struggle for the top job in Papua New Guinea, the BBC takes a look at the two men claiming the prime minister role - Peter O'Neill and Sir Michael Somare. Born in the Southern Highlands Province to an Australian father of Irish ...
Papua New Guinea's Defense Chief Is Overthrown
New York Times - 1 hour ago
SYDNEY — A group of soldiers in Papua New Guinea mutinied early Thursday, replacing the chief of the armed forces in an apparently bloodless raid on the nation's military headquarters that they said was aimed at breaking the country's political impasse ...
PNG deputy PM issues ultimatum to army
Herald Sun - 1 hour ago
PAPUA New Guinea's deputy prime minister has given mutinous soldiers who seized the Murray Barracks in Port Moresby less than three hours to clear out or face the full force of the law. Belden Namah, deputy to Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, has declared ...
All 191 related articles »
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/world-news/6317559/Reports-of-coup-in-PNG-capital
Travel warning after PNG mutiny
Last updated 17:45 26/01/2012
New Zealanders are being warned that there is "some risk" to their security in Papua New Guinea due to growing political unrest.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) today advised New Zealanders to limit travel around Port Moresby after soldiers loyal to ousted prime minister Sir Michael Somare raided barracks in the capital.
A spokesman for MFAT said the ministry had updated its travel advice as political tensions may increase over the next few months with elections scheduled in June.
"New Zealanders are advised to avoid large gathering due to the potential for violence, to monitor local events closely and to maintain a high degree of security awareness," he said.
The New Zealand High Commission - which is right next door to Parliament - was monitoring developments.
"It is important that this situation is resolved as soon as possible and Prime Minister [Peter] O'Neill has said that the authorities are taking steps to manage the situation," the spokesman said.
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully was unavailable to comment as he is in Ethiopia.
Labour's foreign affairs spokesman Phil Goff said if reports of a possible coup were true, New Zealand needed to urgently work with its Pacific neighbours and Papua New Guinea to "uphold the country's constitution".
"Papua New Guinea has significant problems to work through in its internal political system and the social and economic challenges it faces.
"Intervention by military force provides no solutions."
Goff said having soldiers seize power takes away democratic rights and opens up the prospect of abuse of power and lack of accountability.
"The army has no skills to address social and economic challenges and in almost every case around the world has failed to do so when they take control."
It was understood 12 to 20 rebel troops stormed Taurama Barracks in the early morning, before moving to the headquarters of the defence forces, Murray Barracks.
The soldiers confined Francis Agwi, the commander of the country's Defence Force and another senior officer to their homes at Murray Barracks overnight.
They replaced the chief commander in what could be a ploy to help Somare return to power, local media reported. Retired Colonel Yaura Sasa was now claiming to be in charge of the military.
He has called on the governor general to reinstate Somare as prime minister and has given the nation's politicians seven days to decide who is in charge of the country.
"My task is restoring the integrity and respect of the constitution and the judiciary,'' Sasa said, from the commander's office in Port Moresby's Murray barracks.
"I am now calling on the head of state (Governor General Sir Michael Ogio) to immediately implement Sir Michael's post as prime minister.''
He said O'Neill must recall parliament and give the nation's 109 members of parliament a seven-day deadline to "sort out'' the constitutional mess.
There were no immediate reports of violence at the barracks or in the streets of Port Moresby.
"I can confirm that there is a mutiny," the deputy editor of the Post-Courier newspaper, Peter Korugl, told Reuters. Members of the First Pacific Islands Regiment were behind the action, he added.
Australia appeared to confirm the move against Brigadier General Agwi and called for a restoration in the line of command in Papua New Guinea's defence forces.
"We urge that the situation be resolved as soon as possible, and that the Papua New Guinea Defence Force chain of command is restored," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
It added, however, that an Australian diplomat had even spoken to Agwi since his seizure, lending weight to reports that Papua New Guinea authorities were trying to calm the situation.
Australians in the city were also told to limit their travel and exercise a high degree of caution.
The initial, sketchy reports followed weeks of political instability, with Somare challenging the legitimacy of O'Neill's government.
Somare was replaced by O'Neill last August after his seat was declared vacant while he received medical treatment in Singapore.
The Supreme Court last month ordered Somare's reinstatement but parliament rejected that. Last week, he tried to enter parliament waving a court order but O'Neill threatened him with arrest.
Frank Kolma, the editor in chief of The National newspaper in Papua New Guinea, said the rebels were using the phrase "Operation Protect the Constitution".
Kolma, who drove past Murray Barracks earlier on Thursday, said that although the city was calm, a large number of cars were parked outside the barracks and few people appeared to be going in or out.
There was no obvious display of firearms, he said.
"We hear that the commander has been asked not to leave his house. He is virtually under house arrest at Murray Barracks in the centre of Port Moresby," Kolma told Reuters.
The ABC also speculated whether the mutiny could instead be related to unhappiness within the ranks over pay and conditions following cutbacks to defence spending. It noted that some soldiers had been planning to stage a protest in coming days.
"At this stage it is not clear if the incident is related to the conflict between Peter O'Neill and Sir Michael Somare over the country's prime ministership, or if it is the work of disgruntled soldiers," ABC said on its website.
Last month, O'Neill declared victory in the standoff after the governor general named him the legitimate head of government. The country's civil service, police and army leaders also backed O'Neill, though the ABC speculated that some sections of the army could still be supportive of Somare.
For many Papua New Guineans, the crisis is a contest between the old political guard of Somare - known as "The Chief" who led the country to independence - and O'Neill's administration, which is seen offering a fresh, more open alternative.
Fairfax NZ, with Reuters and AAP
http://tw.news.yahoo.com/傳巴布亞紐幾內亞發生...F0A.Wci.mamwRwdANzZWN0aW9ucwR0ZXN0Aw--;_ylv=3
傳巴布亞紐幾內亞發生軍事政變
中廣新聞網中廣新聞網 – 2012年1月26日 上午8:33
有媒體報導，「巴布亞紐幾內亞」首都發生軍事政變。
澳洲國家廣播公司報導，效忠遭罷黜、前總理「薩梅爾」的軍人在首都發動不流血政變。
澳廣報導，今天凌晨，一群軍人攻擊國防部隊總部，並軟禁軍隊將領「阿格威」。
澳洲外交暨貿易部提出警告，呼籲澳洲公民不要前往「巴布亞紐幾內亞」首都，以防遭遇危險動亂。
目前各國際媒體都試圖連絡當地，以了解「巴布亞紐幾內亞」實際情況。
巴紐總理「歐尼爾」與前總理「薩梅爾」之間奪權鬥爭已經持續了好幾個月，最高法院支持76歲的「薩梅爾」，因為「薩梅爾」是在出國就醫時，遭「歐尼爾」非法奪權推翻下臺，但支持「歐尼爾」的國會議員通過追溯法，讓「歐尼爾」合法成為國家領袖。
http://news.google.com/news/more?hl...sult&ct=more-results&resnum=1&ved=0CDAQqgIwAA
Full coverage
Travel warning after PNG mutiny
Stuff.co.nz - 2 minutes ago
New Zealanders are being warned that there is "some risk" to their security in Papua New Guinea due to growing political unrest. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) today advised New Zealanders to limit travel around Port Moresby after ...
Dumped prime minister Sir Michael Somare ordered army mutiny
NEWS.com.au - 12 minutes ago
There's more unrest in PNG, with reports a group of soldiers staged a mutiny at the country's army barracks. Sir Michael Somare is fighting to stay in power. Picture: AFP Source: The Australian PAPUA New Guinea's deputy prime minister has given ...
Rebel Leader Demands Return of Former Papua New Guinea PM
Voice of America (blog) - 31 minutes ago
A retired military commander who claims to have taken over Papua New Guinea's armed forces has given a seven-day deadline for the government to re-instate former Prime Minister Michael Somare. Reports say Yaura Sasa and at least a dozen rebel soldiers ...
PNG military set deadline for return of former PM
TVNZ - 36 minutes ago
The leader of a mutiny in Papua New Guinea has demanded the governor-general reinstate former Prime Minister Michael Somare and set a seven-day deadline for lawmakers to resolve a constitutional crisis. The Pacific Island nation has been through a ...
Soldiers oust PNG defence chief amid power struggle
BBC News - 43 minutes ago
A group of soldiers in Papua New Guinea say they have taken control of the military and are demanding the reinstatement of the ousted PM. The apparent mutiny, involving 12-20 soldiers, took place early in the morning in Port Moresby, reports said.
PNG ex commander says seized control of military
AFP - 56 minutes ago
PORT MORESBY — A former military commander in Papua New Guinea Thursday claimed to have seized control of the country's armed forces and demanded that ousted prime minister Michael Somare be reinstated. The dramatic move appeared to be connected with a ...
Official statement from Colonel Sasa
The Australian - 1 hour ago
''I have been duly appointed by the Government of Sir Michael Somare, through the National Executive Council to become the Commander of the PNG Defence Force, replacing Brigadier General Francis Agwi. Given the current political situation, ...
Papua New Guinea's rival prime ministers
BBC News - 1 hour ago
Amid the ongoing power struggle for the top job in Papua New Guinea, the BBC takes a look at the two men claiming the prime minister role - Peter O'Neill and Sir Michael Somare. Born in the Southern Highlands Province to an Australian father of Irish ...
Papua New Guinea's Defense Chief Is Overthrown
New York Times - 1 hour ago
SYDNEY — A group of soldiers in Papua New Guinea mutinied early Thursday, replacing the chief of the armed forces in an apparently bloodless raid on the nation's military headquarters that they said was aimed at breaking the country's political impasse ...
PNG deputy PM issues ultimatum to army
Herald Sun - 1 hour ago
PAPUA New Guinea's deputy prime minister has given mutinous soldiers who seized the Murray Barracks in Port Moresby less than three hours to clear out or face the full force of the law. Belden Namah, deputy to Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, has declared ...
All 191 related articles »
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