Despite our debates here regarding the role of the US and others in WW2 and the relative heritage values and "rights" to Swamp Ghost to American's or PNG, remember that we are dealing with a soveriegn nation with its own political and legal system, and its their political and legal system that will determine the future for Swamp Ghost and the future for other recoveries.
I think the message John, and I and others have been making in the last few pages is that regardless of paperwork and moral "rights" the main issue to be mindful of is that these south pacific countries have problems with employment, education and other basic services, their political decisions are made mindful of public backlash and in some instances the risk of military coup or civil unrest.
The greatest risk facing the successful recovery project of Swamp Ghost at the moment would seem to be PNG public opinion, at all levels of their society, and the pressure it puts on their Government to fall one way or another on the future of Swamp Ghost.
Here is a letter to the editor from todays PNG Post-Courier.
Without inviting a rush of posts belittling the grammar, opinions or views it contains, this demonstrates the minefield of interests that the PNG government will need to placade.
Obviously we would hope no one could seriously expect to stick it back in the swamp, but these are simple views proposing simple "solutions" all coming from a population and country that has basic problems and simple needs.
http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20060526/frhome.htm
Quote:
Swamp Ghost must not leave our shores
Your coverage on the Swamp Ghost to be shifted to and restored in America prompts me to write. Firstly, for the last 64 years, did the National Museum and Fred Hagen and Robert Greinert know of its existence? On what provisions of the National Museum Act is it said that the Swamp Ghost has to be removed from its resting place. This must be revoked as it has become part of the life and environment of the people of Karaisa. I support the Public Accounts Committee investigating the matter. The entire salvage operation must be abandoned and the property of the people of Karaisa returned to its original resting place. Does the Oro Provincial Government and the Tourism Promotion Authority know that the Swamp Ghost will be a multi-million dollar attraction in Australia or America when it leaves the shores of Papua New Guinea? Something fishy is going on which needs proper investigation by the PAC to see which National Museum Act gives the right for such an important historical property to leave the shores of PNG. Secondly, the people of Karaisa must push this matter to the highest level of court and government agencies to see that their Swamp Ghost gets back to Aigiambo Lake. Firstly, no foreigners should bypass Government and the people who own the land in PNG. That is for example, foreigners don’t dig for minerals and extract oil from PNG soil and this must be understood as Swamp Ghost is the property of Karaisa people. And there must be proposals and agreement of understanding on what they want to do with the Swamp Ghost for commercial purposes. Please PAC, stop this operation as the tourism attraction for Swamp Ghost will germinate income for the little people of Karaisa village. – Manuda’Apie Konedobu, NCD n PLEASE we want our war relics to be left alone and returned to its original home. We don't want any of these to be removed. We strongly oppose this action of removing this world war II relic out of our country. Why is the Museum board not saying anything when these Americans sought permission to pull the World War II B17E bomber out to be shipped to the US. We appeal to the Government, the IRC, National Museum and Art Gallery board of trustees and offices concerned to stop this Swamp Ghost from leaving PNG. – Kari Siwi LAE
As Setter points out, these are very young nations, their population still spreads from tribal/jungle existances to capital city dwellers, the concept of property rights, rule of law, and central government is only a recent western import into their societies.
The best thing "we" can all do is avoid getting into a pissing competition that try's to belittle PNG's historical links and rights to wartime heritage relating to the battles that occured there - Regardless of allied or japanese origins of the relics, and regardless of the local PNG "peoples" involvement in the battle itself or operating these relics, they are the custodians of the battlegrounds, and these are relics of the battles.
Letters to the editor arguing some of the opinions being posted in this thread would slam the door of PNG public opinion and "dump the Swamp Ghost back in the lake!"
We can only hope logical and fair review of the situation is undertaken by the PNG government and a good outcome for both Swamp Ghost and other viable wrecks is developed.
On a different vain here is some more details on the recovery project in the News reporting section
http://www.postcourier.com.pg/20060526/frhome.htmK320,000 paid to ship the ‘Ghost’
Quote:
About $US100,000 (K320,000) was given as goodwill money for the salvage and restoration of American warplane B-17E by the American Aircraft Restoration Association. And that money has been sitting in a bank since 2002. Staff of the National Museum and Art Gallery say Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation (MARC) of the United States had paid the full amount into an account named Escrow at the Port Moresby Westpac Bank branch in 2002 in the form of a wire transfer. An agreement was signed in 1999 between the president of MARC John Kenney and the former acting director of the museum Soroi Eoe to allow American Fred Hagen, of Acro Archaeology contracted by MARC, to lead the salvage and restoration of the warplane — nicknamed Swamp Ghost. Present acting director of the museum Simon Poraituk said the plane was worth only K12,000 and should be restored because it would disintegrate. He said the goodwill money was intended to be shared between the State (50 per cent), Oro Provincial Government (25 per cent) and 25 per cent to the Karaisa landowners, the owners of the Agiambo swamp where the world war II plane came down some 64 years ago. He said he “was not sure” who would have access to the money in the bank to have it distributed. Australian Robert Greinert and Mr Hagen, acting on the agreement, removed the plane from the swamp and was sitting in Lae ready to be shipped to the US. However, the Government intervened and put a stop to its export to review the decision made by the National Museum and Art Gallery Board to ship the aircraft to the US. The parliamentary committee responsible for protecting public monies and properties — the Public Accounts Committee — will conduct an inquiry on the Swamp Ghost on July 1. Former acting director Soroi Eoe confirmed the agreement but said the Post-Courier’s reports were shallow and there was no investigation made before the publication.
and for those who dont believe PNG takes its WW2 Battlefield heritage seriously this was just another news piece in the same paper.....
Quote:
‘Kokoda Day’ proposed
AN Australian state politician has asked the Papua New Guinea Government to declare a day to honour the infamous Kokoda campaign of World War II. Charlie Lynn, a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly who has been associated with the Kokoda Track for many years, has written to Prime Minister Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare seeking support for the declaration of an official “Kokoda Day” in Papua New Guinea. “I do not propose this as a holiday but as an official day of commemoration to encourage schools, veterans, community organisations, business and government to reflect on the service and sacrifice of PNG and Australian servicemen and women and the carriers in the New Guinea campaigns during the Pacific War,” Mr Lynn says in a letter sent to Sir Michael. Mr Lynn proposes that November 3 be proclaimed as “Kokoda Day” because it is the day when the Australian flag was raised in Kokoda towards the end of the Kokoda campaign. The letter states: “The symbolism of the raising of the flag is important because it was the culmination of an extraordinary effort against all odds by American, Australian and PNG naval, army and air forces and civilian carriers and coast-watchers. “It represents a turning of the tide against an enemy that had been deemed to be invincible before that. “The aim of “Kokoda Day” is not to celebrate war or victory over the Japanese. “It is to commemorate the spirit of those who served and sacrificed so much for the peace we enjoy.” Mr Lyn says in his letter that he believes the proclamation of the day in PNG would encourage many Australian tourists to attend commemorative ceremonies at Kokoda and Bomana War Cemetery. This year, about 700 trekkers walked the Kokoda Trail to commemorate ANZAC Day. They also attended the dawn service at Bomana War Cemetery. Mr Lynn has asked Sir Michael to consider his proposal.
fingers still crossed
regards
Mark Pilkington
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