17 Aug 2006

PNG to set up an independent inquiry into border shooting

7:51 pm on 17 August 2006

Papua New Guinea is to have an independent inquiry into the shooting of an Indonesian fisherman last week.

The National Security Advisory Committee has set up an independent inquiry to investigate the circumstanmces of the defence force killing the fisherman at the PNG-Indonesian border.

The secretary for Foreign Affairs, Gabriel Pepson, says the inquiry will be led by the office of the Attorney-General.

Other members on the committee will be drawn from Foreign Affairs, Police and Defence Force, the National Fisheries Authority and the Provincial Affairs departments.

Mr Pepson says he met the Indonesian Embassy Head of Mission Pratito Soeharyo and conveyed the PNG Government's moves to get to the bottom of the incident.