Papua New Guinea has “conceded” jurisdiction over members of the US military who would be visiting the country in the near future, as per a new defense pact signed between the two countries last month.
The text of the ‘Defense Cooperation Agreement’ signed on the sidelines of last month's US-Pacific Islands Forum was revealed on Wednesday, as disclosed by Australia's media.
The defense treaty text says that the US will have the “exclusive right” to exercise civil and administrative jurisdiction over American military personnel in the Pacific nation, and will be provided “unimpeded access” to and the use of “agreed facilities” by the US military personnel.
These air and naval bases could be either used jointly or just by the US forces to carry out training exercises, manoeuvres, transit, supplies and refuelling.
They could also be used for conducting intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, bunkering, and deploying of forces, according to the document.
Defence Pact Triggers Alarm in Papua New Guinea
The controversial defense pact signed last month has led to local protests in the country as well as concerns by opposition leaders, who have claimed that it undermines national sovereignty.
Leader of Opposition Joseph Lelang has said that the clauses providing immunity from “criminal prosecution” to members of the US military must be debated in the parliament.
Meanwhile, some organizations have questioned the premise of the US being a “reliable” security partner to Port Moresby.
The new defence pact was signed amid mounting geopolitical tensions in the South Pacific as Washington tries to cling to its influence in the region, where it has been the preeminent power since the end of World War 2.
China has been making economic inroads among the Pacific nations. Last year, Beijing inked a security framework deal with the Solomon Islands, raising alarm bells in Canberra and Washington.