PNG PM denies involvement in Taiwan scandal

14/05/2008 10:31:26

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare denies any involvement in Taiwan's cash for recognition scandal.

The ABC's Steve Marshall reports from Port Moresby that Taiwan's Vice Premier and Foreign Minister were forced to step down last week over a multi-million dollar secret payment to two men, who said they could get PNG to agree to a formal diplomatic relationship.

Prime Minister Somare has admitted meeting Taiwan's Foreign Minister in Singapore last year but told parliament he knows nothing about the scandal.

"I do not have to come clean on something which I never was party to," he said.

Sir Michael signed PNG's "One China Policy" in 1976 and said the government would not be changing its position.

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