Susan Merrell has neatly illustrated how she and, presumably, others who support Mr O'Neill, willfully misunderstand the nature and intent of the criticism directed towards him.

The criticism is not motivated by his politics or even his distinctly hazy grasp of economic fundamentals: it is about his complete unwillingness to submit to the rule of law.

If, as he is consistently maintained, he is concerned about being "fitted up" by various un-named political enemies, surely this is a compelling reason to allow the police and judiciary to examine his situation forensically and, in so doing, vindicate him entirely?

It is possible that he is innocent of anything more than being grievously misled into signing documents that he should not have signed. A very busy minister could be relatively easily misled into signing or approving something whilst not understanding its full implications. That is not a crime, merely an example of bad judgement.

The heart of the criticism of Mr O'Neill is that he refuses to do what any honest citizen would surely do, which is to assist the police with their inquiries. By all means hire the best legal team you can get but don't then use them to explore every possible avenue to avoid even fronting up for an interview.

Protestations of innocence don't sit easily with such behaviour, they merely arouse suspicion that Mr O'Neill has something to hide.

As for critics claiming to represent the silent majority, I have not seen such claims. Anyway, the so-called silent majority never existed and doesn't now. It merely is a rhetorical device of politicians, not a reflection of reality.

Mr O'Neill can disarm his critics at a stroke, merely by sitting down (with his legal representatives beside him) to discuss the allegations against him with the police.

It's as simple as that.

The other side of the coin is the clearly evident, poor leadership and examples being shown to the PNG police. That this service has stooped so low is absolutely regrettable and almost impossible to understand given my previous experience of working with the RPNGC.

As a pre Independence officer of the Constabulary, the police we served with were honest and well disciplined. Kiaps could not have successfully undertaken their work without the support and help of the RPNGC.

To see the service as it is now portrayed in media photos with ill fitting camouflaged uniforms that appear to have seen better days and apparently to never have seen an iron, unpolished shoes or boots, many overweight and apparently acting like bullies, is very disappointing.

I'm sure there would be many RPNGC members who are still proud of their service and would positively respond if they were given better leadership and respect for the rule of law.

My respect for the Service I served with is undiminished but I do think today's RPNGC leaders need to take stock of where the Service is going and what that means for everyone in PNG.

The RPNGC are always brutal and bloody on the public. Ask anyone in PNG and especially those living in settlements.

Ask the street kids, the betel nut vendors and the youth.

Fuck it - ask me - I've caught a police boot when the bastard and his mates stripped off my jean jacket outside a night club, just because he wanted it.

Almost every PNG male has had one run in or another with the cops that went beyond the use of force in arresting.

This inquiry will not go well with the RPNGC. It might be best to just fire the lot.

Susan Merrell - shut your pie hole - yu nogat save long ol dispela samting yu toktok long em istap.

Senisim sikin kala blong yu, giaman kamap olsem wanpela man na yu traim toktok kusai, olsem nau yu mekim, long wanpela polisman - em bai senisim pes blong yu olgeta na mama blong yu tu bai inonap luksave long yu.

The inference here seems to be that there has been a breakdown in law and order due to the university students protest.

Much of what has been mentioned seems to be symptomatic of a day of heightened tensions in Port Moresby if one reads the usual media reports. So it would appear that the student protests have merely raised the law and order situation in Moresby to the level that the authorities now acknowledge already exists. i.e. Don't blame the students for what has been allowed to develop by the current and previous governments.

The 15% of PNG population that now reportedly live in a metropolitan environment has been ignored and sidelined by many of those whose who should be concerned but are too busy feathering their own nest while they can. People who are hungry and ill served are far more likely to riot as they have nothing to lose except some of their constant frustration. No one in the government seems to have any idea of what to do except take out more overseas loans and mortgage everyone's future, put on more fireworks displays and build high class accommodation for the hoped for high rollers to rent.

With Parliament virtually consigned to a rubber stamp that issues DSIP funds to the faithful grovelers and even that august body has now has been dismissed until August, the PM and government must be laughing all the way to the bank.

All the Australian PM can do is ask if he can help and we presume, was politely told where to go.

So it seems PNG is back to square one.

Someone please tell me I'm wrong.
_________

You are not wrong. It is clear that the shootings and subsequent bloodshed were initiated by police. Journalists at the scene, the only independent witnesses we have, affirm this was so. As you write, any subsequent civil disturbance demonstrated what a hair trigger climate exists in the national capital at present. The O'Neill government and RPNGC must bear full responsibility for this. There are plenty of government apologists and blame shifters operating at present. They would be better spending their time engineering solutions that are democratic and align with the PNG constitution - KJ