Page 8 - Islands Business May 2023

Whispers Whispers

Biden cancellation disappoints travelled in Biden’s place and signed a de- ed Tkatchenko to describe the online
The cancellation of US President Joe fence pact between Washington and Port critics as “primitive animals”. He
Biden’s visit to Papua New Guinea this Moresby that would allow the US Coast said he was responding to disgusting,
month was a disappointment for PNG, Guard to patrol PNG waters. However the sexual and violent comments directed
which has spent months planning the security agreement has been criticised at his daughter, however the furore
visit. “We are disappointed that this in some quarters, with some opposition those terms generated saw Tkatchen-
historic visit has been cancelled as we parties suggesting it would cause friction ko apologise, through Prime Minister
have prepared well, spent a lot of time, with China, which funds many significant James Marape, then step aside.
effort and energy towards the visit infrastructure projects in the country. Marape asked the country to forgive
and we were all looking forward to the There were also concerns over immunity Tkatchenko, but for some politicians,
visit,” said National Capital District Gov- provisions contained in a leaked version of that is not enough, with former PM Sir
ernor, Powes Parkop. Those preparations the pact, and university students pro- Julius Chan saying Tkatchenko should
reportedly included the transport of 20 tested outside their campuses, calling for resign. There have been calls for all
vehicles into the country, including four greater consultation over the agreement. costs incurred by PNG delegates to
armoured vehicles, and more than 1000 The foreign ministry responded by agree- the coronation to be disclosed. The
security personnel assigned to the visit. ing to a public ‘consultation’, although Post Courier reported that the cost of
A week-long liquor ban was also im- it was scheduled for three days after the sending 31 people to the coronation
posed in the capital, preventing alcohol pact had been signed. was K3 million (US$851,000).
sales from all premises but hotels.
Biden called off his PNG stopover to TikTok trouble Kiwi comedown
deal with congressional budget negotia- It started with a TikTok post demon- New Zealand ACT leader, David
tions to avoid a debt default. But he strating the luxuries of first-class travel Seymour, has disparaged both New
has invited PM Marape to a summit of and duty free shopping at Singapore air- Zealand and one of its Pacific neigh-
Pacific Island nations in Washington in port, and ended with the stepping down bours, saying New Zealand is on a
September. A similar summit was held of PNG Foreign Affairs Minister, Justin “long, slow slip” from being a “first-
in September 2022. “We look forward Tkatchenko. Now Opposition MP Joseph world nation in an island paradise”
to finding other ways to engage with Lelang is calling for a review of Tkatch- to “something more like a kind of big
Australia, the Quad, Papua New Guinea enko’s citizenship. When Tkatchenko’ Fiji”. Speaking at ACT’s alternative
and the leaders of the Pacific Islands daughter, Savannah, accompanied him on budget launch, Seymour said while his
Forum in the coming year,” the White official travel to London for the corona- comments weren’t aimed at offending
House said in a statement following the tion of King Charles, she posted to TikTok people from Fiji or those who cared
cancelled visit. about the experience along the way. about Fiji, he didn’t think “many
India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Those posts drew the ire of Papua New people would want to swap Fiji’s GDP
did turn up as planned for the India- Guineans, who protested at the lavish for ours.” He claims New Zealand’s
Pacific dialogue, as did Pacific Island lifestyle it portrayed, and the use of the economy is in decline.
leaders. hashtag #aussiesinlondon (when they were
Secretary of State Antony Blinken representing PNG), which in turn promot-

8 Islands Business, May 2023