Heightened alert as PNG impasse continues

Papua New Guinea was on heightened alert Friday with scores of extra police stationed in the capital amid a political crisis in which two men are claiming to be prime minister. The nation was thrown into constitutional chaos Monday when the Supreme Court reinstated Sir Michael Somare as leader. Somare's successor Peter O'Neill, elected by MPs while Somare was ill, also claims the position. "Police are on heightened alert in the city because of the developments of the last few days," O'Neill-appointed Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga said in comments broadcast on Australian television. Kulunga acknowledged there were some divisions within the police force, but said they were small and denied the situation would deteriorate into unrest. Asked whether it would escalate into violence, he replied: "It is not the case. No. I will ensure, and take every step to ensure, it doesn't end in violence." Somare, who at 75 has dominated the resource-rich nation's political scene for close to half a century, has called on Papua New Guineans to respect the decision by the judiciary and affirmed by Governor General Michael Ogio. But O'Neill, who suspended Ogio and appointed the parliamentary speaker as acting governor general, claims that he has the support of the parliament in the politically volatile country. O'Neill's faction has flown in extra policemen to take control of state assets, including Morauta Haus, a building which is home to the offices of the prime minister and National Executive Council and which Somare's camp is using. For their part, Somare's supporters have reportedly threatened to shut down water and power to Parliament House where his 46-year-old rival's supporters are installed on the government benches. The impasse has left public servants scratching their heads as to whom they are working for, and reports said that many were staying at home rather than venturing to work. With two prime ministers and cabinets and twin governors general, the opposing attorneys general have suggested meeting to hammer out a solution. Papua New Guinea stands on the threshold of a major resources boom due to its major gas reserves, but the nation of some 6.6 million remains mired in poverty.