Concerns in Papua New Guinea over framing of US security pact
Port Moresby: There are concerns in Papua New Guinea (PNG) that the country will be dragged into the militarisation of the Pacific if it signs a security pact with the United States.
America is poised to sign a deal with PNG which would give US armed forces uninhibited access to PNG’s territorial waters and airspace.
RNZ Pacific has seen a draft copy of an agreement that will be signed off when US President Joe Biden makes a historic visit to PNG next week on Monday.
The document outlines the terms and conditions for preferential access to various PNG sea and airports. “Aircraft, vehicles, and vessls operated by or on behlaf of US forces, may enter, exit, and move freely within the territory and territorial waters of Papua New Guinea with respect for the relevant rules of air, land, and maritime safety movement. Such aircraft, vehicles, and vessels shall be free from boarding and inspection without the consent of the US. Papua New Guinean authorities may grant blanket clearance for such aircraft, vehicles, and vessels in accordance with mutually agreed procedures,” article 10 of the draft pact states.
The Papua New Guinea facilities the US is seeking access to include
Lae Nadzab Airport, Lae Seaport, Lombrum Naval Base, Momote Airport on Los Negros Island in the
Admiralty Islands, Jackson International Airport in the capital and the Port Moresby Seaport.
“Such Agreed Facilities and Areas may be used for mutually agreed activities including: visits; training; excercises, maneuvers; transit; support and related activities; refueling of aircraft; landing and recovery of aircraft; including aircraft that may conduct intelligence, surveillance and recconnaissance activities.”
It adds: “bunkering of vessels; maintance of vehicles, vessels, and aircraft; accommodation of personnel; communications; staging and deployng of forces and material; prepositioning of equipment, suppliues, and material; security assistance and cooperation activities; joint and combined training activities; humanitarian and disaster relief; contingency operations; and other activities mutually agreed by the Parties of their Executive Agents.”