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Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Answer

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from Sandline International regarding the Government of Papua New Guinea; and if he will make a statement. [77227] Mr. Fatchett: [holding answer 22 March 1999]: There have been no representations from Sandline regarding the latest developments surrounding its contractual dispute with the Government of Papua New Guinea. Our records show there was contact with Sandline regarding PNG between February and April 1997: 1. On 28 February 1997 Mr. Tim Spicer, at his own request, called on the British High Commissioner in Port Moresby to inform him of Sandline's contractual involvement with the Government of PNG regarding Bougainville. 2. On 17 March 1997 Mr. Rupert Bowen of Sandline rang FCO officials to ask for news of development in PNG. 3. On 18 March 1997 Mr. Bowen contacted FCO officials again to say that Mr. Spicer and another Sandline representative had been arrested in PNG. 4. The British High Commissioner in Port Moresby gave Mr. Spicer consular assistance. Mr. Spicer was released from custody on 22 March and was accommodated at the High Commissioner's Residence until his legal departure from PNG on 8 April 1997. 5. On his arrival in Brisbane on 8 April 1997 Mr. Spicer rang the High Commission in Port Moresby to express thanks for the consular assistance. 6. On 19 April 1997 Tony Buckingham, Director of Executive Outcomes, wrote to the then PUS to express his gratitude for the consular assistance given to Mr. Spicer in PNG. 7. On 21 April 1997 Mr. Michael Grunberg of Sandline telephoned FCO officials to seek a meeting to discuss Sandline's involvement in PNG. 8. On 22 April 1997 FCO officials telephoned Mr. Grunberg to decline his request.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

328 c428W; 77227

Session

1998-99

Subjects

Sandline Papua New Guinea