SYDNEY - Papua New Guinea was plunged into crisis last night after its ill equipped army and police force mutinied over the government's use of mercenaries supplied by a British firm to fight secessionist rebels.
The former British protectorate's military commander, Brig Gen Jerry Singirok, said he had led the revolt and demanded the sacking of the Prime Minister, Sir Julius Chan, solely in his soldiers' interests. Mr Chan said later that after a long cabinet meeting the general was sacked and replaced by Col Alfred Aikung. Gen Singirok was later said to have resigned.
He had denied his actions amounted to a coup, claiming he could not let the government spend £15 million on mercenaries while his troops went without food, pay and supplies. The mercenaries deal was with a British based company, Sandline International, to supply "military trainers" (mainly South Africans) for the nine year old war against guerrillas on the copper rich island of Bougainville.
Gen Singirok said some 8,000 defence force personnel and paramilitary police would refuse to work with the mercenaries to prevail over secessionist rebels on the troubled island.
Sir Julius, who faces an election in June, said after the emergency cabinet meeting: "The matter caught us completely by surprise."
Papua New Guinea was administered by Australia, on Britain's behalf, from 1906 until 1964. The Australian Prime Minister, Mr John Howard, is expected to make a statement today. The Vabor leader, Mr Kim Beazley, said the general should get back to his barracks and Sir Julius should get out of the "rotten contract" with the mercenaries.