13 Oct 2005

PNG foreign minister stern on diplomats' behaviour

4:59 pm on 13 October 2005

Papua New Guinea's Foreign Minister, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, says the National Government will not tolerate public misbehaviour by diplomats representing the country overseas.

Sir Rabbie was reacting to a report in the National newspaper claiming that a senior diplomat had been recalled after an incident said to involve a prostitute.

The newspaper report said the diplomat had been found sleeping in a mission vehicle in front of a hotel, drunk and without a shirt, and after he had refused to pay the prostitute.

Sir Rabbie said he was appalled by the report and had directed the Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Immigration to take the firmest possible action when the investigation into the alleged incidents was completed, and if the allegations were substantiated.