P.N.G. general surveys island

Press, 15 August 1980, Page 6

P.N.G. general surveys island

NZPA Port Vi l a The Commander-in-chief of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (BrigadierGeneral Ted Diro) accompanied by senior officers flew a reconnaissance mission to Vanuatu’s rebel island of Espiritu Santo yesterday in preparation for an expected troop movement to the island this week-end. General Diro arrived in Vila On Wednesday to liaise with the Vanuatu National Security Council, led by the Prime Minister (the . Rev Walter Lini) on a movement against the Santo rebels by P.N.G. infantry.

In the last few weeks Papua New Guinea has airlifted about 300 combat troops into Vanuatu. A P.N.G. Defence Force spokesman said that infantry of “company strength” — about 125 men — were expected to move on to Santo at the week-end to aid Vanuatu riot police in “maintaining the authority” of the Government. Over the last week rebel secessionists on Santo are reported to . have burned houses, looted homes and warehouses, fired shots at Vanuatu policemen and rammed a police mobile unit truck, injuring three men. The Papua New Guinea

soldiers are being- sent to Santo to replace 200 British marines and French paratroopers who have been stationed in the main. Santo town of Luganville since July 24. The European troops, which have not moved in any decisive way, will leave Santo this weekend.

There was no word early this week on whether 26 foreigners who had been ordered by the Vanuatu Government to leave the country had actually done so.

The Government gave the group, alleged to be the “troublemakers” behind the Santo rebels, until Tuesday to depart or they would be rounded up and deported. All but two were reported to be French citizens. The others are Australians.

The Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu (Mr Michael Ovington) said he had not been approached by any Australians about deportation letters received by them.

An official Government spokesman would make no comment on whether the Tuesday deadline given the alleged troublemakers was being adhered to. He said the Government was being sympathetic about the timing of their departure.