Written by Kenji Tanaka |
Australia announced the deployment of a 300-strong police and defence contingent to Papua New Guinea maritime border. PNG Prime Minister Marape confirmed the agreement saying it would protect our sovereignty while honouring our regional partnerships. The deployment drew a sharp protest from Jakarta which said it had not been consulted and warned it could destabilise the Coral Sea balance. The US Embassy in Port Moresby issued a statement backing the arrangement.
Sources: Reuters, AP, ABC Australia, The Guardian Australia, Jakarta Post, BBC, RNZ Pacific