2 Feb 2012

PNG's O'Neill denies intimidation

4:14 pm on 2 February 2012

Papua New Guinea's prime minister Peter O'Neill says accusations police are intimidating his political rival, Sir Michael Somare, are nonsense.

Sir Michael's daughter, Betha Somare has told journalists members of the Somare grouping are being intimidated by police, days after the Somare faction launched a failed mutiny of PNG's armed forces.

She says they are threatening Sir Michael's people with arrest.

Peter O'Neill says police are carrying out investigations into the mutiny and if there is evidence that Sir Michael Somare, or others were involved, they will be subjected to the full force of the law.

He says it is utter nonsense for Sir Michael to suggest that anyone is pushing and intimidating police to arrest him.

Mr O'Neill and Sir Michael appear shaking hands in a picture on the front page of Thursday's The National newspaper, after they met at a funeral ceremony in the grand hall of parliament for fellow MP Patrick Tammur.

The newspaper reports Mr O'Neill as saying it was "reconciliation for a funeral".