P.N.G. seeks help in Vanuatu

Press, 29 August 1980, Page 8

P.N.G. seeks help in Vanuatu

NZPA Sydney New Zealand has been criticised for not helping Papua New Guinea in its military efforts for Vanuatu.

The Papua New Guinea Foreign Minister, Mr Noel Levi, in an interview printed in the “Sydney Morning Herald,” said that the South Pacific ■Forum’s failure to help Papua New Guinea’s military effort in Vanuatu meant, that the forum’s future was in question.

“Papua New Guinea feels a little let down over our efforts for Vanuatu,” he said. “None of the forum countries has helped us and I specifically mention Fiji and New Zealand, which have offered nothing by way of aid.”

Mr Levi said Papua New Guinea held the same opinion about Australia.

“While the use of 20 or so Australian military.

loan personnel is a help, we would appreciate some direct assistance. Our feeling at the moment is that the South Pacific Forum has failed miserably.”

Mr Levi said that the 300-member Papua New Guinea force would stay on Espiritu Santo Island as long as the Vanuatu Prime Minister, the Rev. Walter Lini, -thought it would be useful. Mr Levi was interviewed in Sydney while on his way to a conference in Samoa.