Artillery Shell or Wine Bottle? PNG’s Investigation Must Lead the Narrative
By Bernard Yegiora The discovery of an artillery projectile in a shipping container in Port Moresby has generated competing public statements from the Chinese and United States embassies. For PNG, the central issue is how a military projectile came to be in commercial cargo and what our institutions establish about its ownership, movement and intended purpose. PNG must approach this incident through evidence, national security and the rule of law. Diplomatic relationships should support that process. What has been established? On 5 November, the Royal PNG Constabulary confirmed that the object seized in Port Moresby on 29 October was a 130mm military projectile. Police Commissioner David Manning said police bomb specialists and PNG Defence Force explosive ordnance disposal personnel examined it, including through X-rays. He also confirmed that it had been rendered safe and secured, with investigations continuing. This is the most important public finding available: PNG’s own autho...