Minister for Defence visits Papua New Guinea DPR/TV/1549 DPR/S//155

The Papua New Guinea Defence Force came into being at a special inaugration ceremony at Murray Barracks last week (January 26) The Minister for Defence, Mr Barnard reviewed the parade of men from the land, sea and air sections of the new force which has been formed by the intergration of the three elements Army, RAN and RAAF of the former Joint Force. The chairman of the Australian Chief of Staffs Committee, Admiral Sir Victor Smith, the Minister Assiting the Minister for Defence, Senator Bishop, the Administator of Papua New Guinea, Mr Somare and the Commander of the Defence Force, Brigadier J.W. Norrie also attended the parade. As Mr Barnard and Mr Somare moved out to inspect the parade torrential rain began to fall. The party was accompanied by the Parade Commander, Lieutenant Colonel J.W. Irvine. On parade were soldiers from the 1st Battalion, Pacific Islands Regiment, based at Taurama Barracks qand the units at Murray Barracks; Sailors from the Papua New Guinea Patrol Boat Squadron and HMAS Tarangau at Manus Island and members of the RAAF. The pipes and drums for 1 Pacific Islands Regiment played as they swung past the saluiting dais. Mr Baranard told the Parade that the newly created froce would play a major role in the development of Papua New Guinea as a united ansd self relient nation. He said their constant patrolling over the years past and their ready reaction in times of national disaster like Tufi Cyclone and the highlands famine and already demonstrated their loyalty and their desire to serve their country. He said that their duty was clear to put every effort onto the continuing task of making the Defence Force and Organisation in which the people of Papua New Guinea could look with pride and respect. In a short address the Chief Minister Mr Somare said the ceremony and the presence of Mr Barnard symbolised the start of the Processess necessary for an independent Papua New Guinea to take over responsibility for its own defence. He said said the people of Papua New Guinea did not foret what had been done in the past by the elements which now made up the new force but they looked back to the past and its traditions only to gain strength for the even greater challenge which lay ahead.