Pacific

Concerns raised over the handling of PNG's inquiries into the flight of Julian Moti from the country

16:17 pm on 25 January 2007

The director of the Institute of National Affairs in Papua New Guinea says he is concerned over the handling of the Julian Moti affair and hopes that the enquiry will reveal the truth.

Paul Barker says people in the country want to see an end to the affair and he says they are fed up with what appears to be a cover up.

His comments come as Papua New Guinea's government has strongly denied a new claim that the Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare may have personally ordered the escape flight for fugitive Australian lawyer Julian Moti.

Mr Barker says it is important that due process is carried out.

"It would be a concern if the order came from the top because clearly there are legal procedures which have to be followed and no-one is above the law and it was a case that was before the courts and the minister right through to the highest ministers and cabinet can't circumvent that process so that would be a major area of concern."

The director of the Institute of National Affairs in Papua New Guinea, Paul Barker.