The Defense White Paper (DWP) 2013, is a submission of how the PNG Government expects the Papua New Guinea Defence Organization (PNGDO) to be "modernize and revitalize", fitting the considerable changes in both the domestic and global environment. The last DWP was published in 1999 hence the need to do an updated one as, it was redundant and cannot set off much improvement and changes as it was more applicable to the past conditions. The O'Neill lead government, under Dr. Fabian Pok- Defence Minister at the time, introduced the DWP 2013. The paper was written by the Papua New Guinea White Paper Office and edited by Dr. Ray Anere and Mr. Dixon Susub. My review of the paper will be based on the Core Tasks and strategic development tasks that were given by the government, and I will be doing a mixed response on this paper.
SUMMARY:
To offer effective detection, reaction and protection capabilities in PNG's defense, the PNGDO must guarantee that its integrated air, land, and maritime platforms and systems are coordinated and synchronized. It must ensure that the systems it has in place are compatible with and related to the National Security Policy design for a "whole-of-nation" national security strategy.(Papua New Guinea Defence White Paper Office, 2013) The Defence White Paper 2013 speaks of the Governments expectations that it has of PNGDO, by giving four specific Core Tasks, which are:
- Defend PNG
- Civil Emergency Assistance
- National Building
- International Obligations
Core Task i: Defend PNG
The main role given by the Government is to PNGDO is to defend the country and her territory. Defend the country's air, land and maritime boarders. It has to ensure its joint air, land and maritime systems are coordinated and synchronized for effective delivery and smarter approach to the National Security. PNGDF is tasked to protecting our maritime boarders most especially our Economic Exclusive Zones (EEZ).
Core Task ii. Civil Emergency Assistance
The second core task assigned is for the PNGDF to be the first respondents to variety of contingencies, even on short notice. PNGDF will assist RPNGC for maintaining law and order only, and the NSC will authorize PNGDF's responses to any other emergencies. As providing disaster relief to victims of volcanic eruption in Rabaul or assistance aid to victims and survivors of Sisano Lagoon tsunami in Sandaun are examples of emergency assistance provided by PNGDF.
Core Task iv. International Obligations
PNG has had, and continues to have, extensive economic, trade, and diplomatic ties with its neighbors in the area, as well as other countries across the world. As a result, Papua New Guinea is compelled to contribute to regional and international peace efforts. As a Melanesian country and a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG), PNG provided assistance to two other member states in restoring peace within their respective states.
The main function as mentioned, of the PNGDF is to defend the country. This has been set out under section 202 of the constitution. The Governments Defence policy objective is to safeguard PNG and to protect its people, land, territorial waters, EEZ, natural resources and critical infrastructure. It is known that PNG is incapable still in protecting its maritime zone of 5,152km of coastline and a 2.7 million square km eez. As strongly made clear in both the DWP and the NSP, what more is the government doing in ensuring the objective of safeguarding the country achieved in terms of maritime boarders is achieved? It is vital for any maritime state, such as PNG to have strong defence when it comes to its marine territory, as the area is potentially vulnerable to international drug and arms smuggling, and possible piracy.
Lombrum naval base, in Manus Province received far less attention in the recent decades, however its strategic value has begun to gather recognition as Australia and PNG discussed redevelopment of the base. This is likely to abet and increase the protection of our maritime boarders, regulate marine activities that happen within our eez, and give us further advantages in maritime defence. While being beneficial for both countries, with Manus being a geostrategic gateway to the South Pacific, and Lombrum having a strategic location, this can be seen as Australia setting a base in the Pacific to counter Chinese rise within the Asia-Pacific region. As supported by (Lockyer et al., 2017), " an Australian defence presence at Manus de-facto denies the same location to other regional powers." This can be described as a "base race" as by ANU Professor Rory Medcalf, in the Pacific region. Were we see countries racing to set up bases within the same region for one's own advantage.
PNG can achieve its goal by having bilateral and multilateral arrangements with longtime partners, such as mentioned. But at the end of the day, one is more likely to have an upper-hand to these agreements as one acts upon their best interests. Hence, it would be better, if the government fully takes ownership and control of such facilities and activities in the country, by proper allocation of resources and implementation procedures.
Core task II assigned to PNGDO and PNGDF is to be first respondents to variety of contingencies within the country and within short notice. As for this task, I would say PNG can deliver in terms of disaster relief and humanitarian aid if given proper and enough resources. As stated by (Mench, 1976) "…set of factors which includes the size of forces already in existence, the accustomed economic burden of defence on the national economy , the effects of bureaucratic politics on resources allocation within the PNG government". As they have undergone preparation and training, it is believed that with the proper resources they can deliver in the two areas mentioned. Other areas of task II can be achieved with great assistance through bilateral and multilateral arrangements as US and Spain's bilateral arrangement paved way for military assistance from US to Spain (Murphy, 1991) "the agreement permitting U.S. use of air and naval bases in Spain. In turn, the United States provided military assistance and training to Spanish forces" such can also be done in PNG, seeing already the case of Lombrum naval base.
PNGDF has contributed satisfyingly to assisting its neighbors and also to the international community through deployment of personnel to both assist in maintain of peace and be observers in other states such in 2010, 13 Kumul Force soldiers were deployed to Solomon Islands with the assistance of Australian Defence force. Fulfilling international obligations is the next priority that is set out in the National Constitution set out for the PNGDF.PNG being part of such operations gives exposure to them as stated by (Implications of DWP 2013 NRI_DP_99.Pdf, n.d.)"Participation in such operations would give PNGDF invaluable international exposure and perhaps maintain its high esteem as was experienced in Vanuatu." This operation saw PNGDF in the international arena, were the Kumul force were sent with specific missions and returned successful after, which in turn boosted their esteem.
In the discussions and reading, it is clear that there are still many things that ought to be done for the security of the country, a main one being maritime security/ surveillance and the requirement to assist in nation building. If it means for the country to make an economic sacrifices to further build and maintain our maritime security. Another being proper contract employment packages for staff, and proper facilities put in place to ensure the organization runs.
REFERENCE:
Implications of DWP 2013 NRI_DP_99.pdf. (n.d.).
Lockyer, A., Burke, J., Lim, Y.-H., & Smith, F. (2017). Soundings Papers: Manus Island and the Lombrum Naval Base: Five Options for Australia's Geostrategic Gateway. Sea Power Soundings, 35.
Murphy, S. D. (1991). The Role of Bilateral Defense Agreements in Maintaining the European Security Equilibrium. Cornell International Law Journal, 24(3), 415–435.
Mench, P. (1976). The role of the Papua New Guinea defence force. Development Studies Centre Monograph No. 2, 2, xiv, 231.
Papua New Guinea Defence White Paper Office. (2013). Papua New Guinea Defence White Paper 2013 (pp. 1–74).
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