Political crisis grows in Papua New Guinea

March 23, 1997
Web posted at: 12:23 p.m. EST (1723 GMT)

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (CNN) -- Calls were mounting Sunday for the resignation of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Julius Chan, who rejected the calls and said he had done nothing wrong when he hired mercenaries to help quash a nine-year-long rebellion on Bougainville island.

The country's rebel military has given Chan until Tuesday to tender his resignation, saying the $36 million contract for the mercenaries was unlawful. The mercenaries were hired to train the army in counter-insurgency warfare and to take part in an attack.

Chan has ordered an inquiry into the deal and has said he would testify.

Related stories:

• Pilots: Papua New Guinea cancels mercenary contract - March 19, 1997
• Military crisis ends in Papua New Guinea - March 18, 1997

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• InterGO Library: Papua New Guinea
• Papua New Guinea Web Site

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