FED:Somare takes indefinite medical leave

AAP General News (Australia)
04-19-2011
FED:Somare takes indefinite medical leave

By Eoin Blackwell, Papua New Guinea Corespondent

SYDNEY, April 19 AAP - Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare says he will
vacate his office to take indefinite medical leave and has backed his deputy Sam Abal
to stand in for him.

Sir Michael was in Singapore to celebrate his 75th birthday and undergo what he said
was a minor medical operation following a two-week suspension from office for financial
misconduct.

In an emailed statement on Tuesday, Sir Michael said Abal, who had served as PM in
his place, would continue the job.

"The country is in good hands and, while I am pleased that the period of my suspension
is now over, I will remain on medical leave until further notice," he said.

"I take this opportunity to once again thank all the visitors and well wishers including
those who are praying for my return to good health and speedy recovery.

Mr Somare said he was visited in hospital by foreign minister Kevin Rudd, where the
pair discussed a possible visit by Mr Rudd to PNG in May.

"During this period of infirmity, I was also fortunate enough to be visited by my former
Australian colleague," he said.

"We discussed various issues surrounding my health, and the possibility of a visit
by Mr Rudd to PNG in May this year. I reassured him that he is a friend of PNG and we
will be looking forward to his visit."

Sir Michael was suspended from office on April 4 following the judgment of a specially-convened
international tribunal which found him guilty on 13 charges of failing to fill in financial
forms correctly.

The charges dated back 20 years.

Sir Michael was expected to return to work on April 19.

Last week, there were reports Sir Michael was gravely ill in Singapore, but the 43-year
veteran of PNG politics and self-described Grand Chief called the national broadcaster
to say he was only being hospitalised for minor surgery.

AAP eb/ajw

KEYWORD: PNG SOMARE

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