Under a comprehensive security agreement that also covers defense and security, Papua New Guinea may hire American police officers for important positions in its national police force, according to the country’s minister of state.
James Marape, the prime minister of Papua New Guinea, may visit Canberra on Thursday to mark the security agreement, according to Minister of State Justin Tkatchenko. Australia has also agreed to provide more biosecurity, which would increase his country’s agricultural exports.
Tkatchenko told Reuters in a phone interview,” This shows our responsibility to Australia as one of our standard safety partners today and into the future.”
After some criticism PNG politicians criticized a defense agreement with the US in May, claiming that it violated the country’s independence by granting entry to ports and airports and could put the Pacific Islands ‘ largest country in conflict with China strategically, the American security agreement was postponed.
Last year, China established policing and security relations with the nearby Solomon Islands. China is also courting PNG, a few kilometers to the north of Australia, as tensions between the two main powers are rising.
According to Tkatchenko, the security agreement with Australia includes a significant component for defense and domestic policing, respecting PNG sovereignty, helping farmers adhere to Australia’s strict biosecurity regulations, and advancing genetic technology for airports.
The most important thing, he continued, is to respect one another.
A request for comment on the security arrangement was not immediately answered by the Australian Federal Police or the company of the defense minister.
A rise in violent crime has plagued PNG authorities this year, and Marape has cited concerns about law and order as evidence that increasing security will help to draw in foreign investment in the country’s expanding resource sector.
Tkatchenko, who started talks with Australia about the deal last year, said,” It’s a huge problem and Australia can help us out considerably.”
According to the agreement, American officers have the option to work straight for the PNG Royal Constabulary under contract, he said.
From police station commanders to overseeing the CID ( criminal investigation department ) or fraud squad, among other positions,” the positions will be advertised for expatriate or qualified international police officers to fill about 50 positions throughout the country,” he said.
Australian Federal Police have merely deployed in advisory roles since a PNG court ruled in 2005 that they should not have the authority of local authorities or immunity from prosecution.
These officials will dress in PNG garb. They will be contracted soldiers who will answer directly to Papua New Guinea’s police commissioner and become subject to all PNG laws. He claimed that was always the moving place.
According to him, the security talks acknowledged PNG’s independence as a country that had gained independence from Australia 48 years prior and also appreciating the size of the regional market.
He continued,” We want financial freedom so that we can depend on ourselves going forward.”
PNG, which produces caffeine and other agricultural items as” the oldest existing gardeners or agriculturalists in the world,” may gain new trade markets as a result of assistance in adhering to Australia’s strict security regulations.
In addition to enhancing defense ties with Australia in the Pacific and signing an deal earlier this year granting its army access to police PNG waters, France this month pledged US$ 100 million to the country for timber and climate change.