Remembrance Day celebrations told use negotiations as weapons of peace
Thur Jul 24, 2008 12:00pm
The Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare has challenged Papua New
Guineans to use dialogue and negotiations as weapons for peace in the
country.
The Grand Chief issued the challenge as the country observed
Remembrance Day yesterday. Hundreds of people attended the Remembrance
Day ceremony at Remembrance Park at Ela Beach in Port Moresby.
Sir Michael said Papua New Guinea as a united and independent nation
can make a conscious choice of whether or not it should engage in
conflict and warfare.
The Prime Minister said "lest we forget is an apt reminder to all
Papua New Guineans of the casualties of war. Not so long ago PNG as a
young country found itself confronted with the pain and sufferings
arising from the Bougainville conflict."
The Prime Minister said" Often we glorify war and choose to overlook
the underlying reasons for governments to choose confrontation as a
means of resolving dispute and accessing power. "
Sir Michael said if PNG was to stay united as a nation people should
always choose negotiation and dialogue as our weapons of peace.
The Prime Minister was among several Government Ministers who
attended this morning's Dawn Service at Ela Beach.
Those present
included Governor General, Sir Paulias Matane, Deputy Prime Minister,
Dr Puka Temu, the diplomatic corps , ex-servicemen and the country's
sole surviving World War Two veteran, 81-year old Ben Moide. |
