From: SSAA, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Let us pray that the politicians who demand that the Police Commissioner issue them handguns for self defence will be the first to give up their guns in pursuit of a more peaceful society. --------------------------------- Government to introduce tough control laws: PM By ISAAC NICHOLAS THE Government will introduce tighter gun control legislation, including a total ban on gun ownership, in a move aimed at reducing crime and violence in the country, Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta indicated on Friday. Speaking at the opening of the PNG Tourism Conference at the Madang Resort Hotel, Sir Mekere said Papua New Guinea is seen overseas as a dangerous place to visit. "However, there is one area where I believe strongly the government could make an immediate difference, and that is gun control." Sir Mekere said that there had undoubtedly been a proliferation of guns, both legal and illegal, in the country in recent years. "Without question this has contributed to the level of crime and violence in society. We are looking at ways, including legislation, of strictly controlling, perhaps even outlawing altogether, ownership of guns," said Sir Mekere. He said penalties for breaking the new laws would be severe. "In my view, this can only have a positive impact on our law and order problems." Sir Mekere said a Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA) survey of visitors last year found that of the 528 respondents, about half said law and order was a problem. "There is no point complaining about this. The only sensible response is for us to do something about it. The simple fact is that there have been instances of terrible crimes committed, of course, mostly against our own people, but very occasionally against tourists and foreign residents. In our main towns crime has been on the increase over the last decade." He said however, that the perceptions are greater than the reality. For example serious crime tends to be concentrated in specific areas. It does not affect the entire country. Sir Mekere said the Government is attempting to persuade foreign governments to be more careful when issuing travel alerts relating to Papua New Guinea. "Papua New Guinea is no more dangerous for tourists than, say, Russia, or Egypt or parts of Africa or Asia. In fact, it is probably a lot less dangerous. Yet these countries have strong tourism industries, There must then be some factors in these countries that neutralise their law and order problems, and still make them attractive to tourists." The Prime Minister said law and order is one of the Government's five high priority areas, not just for the sake of the tourism industry but also for peace and development generally. "It is one of the five high priorities of Government, receiving a slight increase in funding this year. Next year it will receive more again." Sir Mekere said law and order is not by any means purely a financial issue. "Merely allocating large amounts of financial resources will not solve law and order problems. More government expenditure might help, but it will not provide the solution. Crime is a very complex and difficult social issue, occasioned by constantly changing factors, some of which we have little control over in the short term." "But at the heart of the social breakdown that leads to crime is a lack of opportunity. At its most basic, this means decent jobs for the thousands of people who leave school each year. Because of the dramatic deterioration in the economy between 1997 and 1999, unemployment and poverty have been rising." Sir Mekere said that for a long time, employment opportunities had not kept pace with population growth. "I am sure that everyone here appreciates that the nation is in a much healthier state than it was 12 months ago. The currency has begun to stabilise. Prices are beginning to fall and interest rates are coming down." He said the groundwork for the economy to grow has been laid and in time, increased economic activity should lead to growth in employment opportunities. "Stimulating economic growth through competent, fair and accountable government will help remove the underlying causes of crime -- poverty, unemployment, illiteracy, ill health and breakdown of the family." Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___________________________________________________________ T O P I C A The Email You Want. http://www.topica.com/t/16 Newsletters, Tips and Discussions on Your Favorite Topics
