PNG mutiny spreads March 12 2002(anniversary of the great sepoy mutiny) A mutiny by disgruntled members of the Papua New Guinean defence force has spread to a second regional army barracks. Troops at Igam Barracks in Lae declared support for the mutiny that began at the Moem Barracks in Wewak on the weekend, according to a report on the website of PNG's The National newspaper. In Wewak about 50 soldiers burned down two buildings and stormed the Moem Barracks armoury in protest at government plans to downsize the military through retrenchments. "We are not happy with the retrenchment package," a soldier speaking on behalf of the Igam barracks troops told The National. "The retrenchment exercise was not our own decision. We have made our frustrations known through the chain of command, however, we have not received any answer. "We will consider other options if our attempts to get a favourable answer to our demands are unsuccessful." The soldiers are anxious over outstanding housing and hardship allowances and long service entitlements and believe they should be properly compensated in order to make a successful return to civilian life. Lae is about 250km north of the capital Port Moresby, which remains calm with no signs of the dissent spreading to the military's headquarters. Senior officers from the PNG defence force are expected to meet later today with the 50 or so troops who mutinied at Wewak barracks in the country's north-east. Defence Force commander Brigadier Peter Ilau described the situation at Wewak Barracks as quiet but tense and doubted the dissent would spread. "I want to warn the soldiers that the actions taken by them thus far are completely unlawful, illegal and punishable with severe consequences," he told the National. Ilau said the Moem incident was the result of failure by the unit commander and officers to regularly keep the soldiers informed about the government's retrenchment exercise. "The other major units, commanding units and their officers have taken ownership of the exercise and they have made it their business to be part of it and this is what was lacking at Moem Barracks," he said. Ilau said Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta had personally given him his full support to handle the situation despite the rebellious Moem soldiers' call for the commander to stand down. Provincial police commander Leo Kabilo said soldiers remained inside Moem barracks and had not ventured out since the weekend.
AAP http://theage.com.au/articles/2002/03/12/1015881952459.html
