UN chief António Guterres refuses to comment on editorial telling him to 'cut the crap' on PNG visit
In short:
Papua New Guinea's largest newspaper has criticised the UN chief for failing to call out corruption in the country during his visit there.
In an editorial, a speech António Guterres made to the PNG parliament was likened to "sugarcoating" and called "insulting".
What's next?
Mr Guterres is yet to comment on the criticisms laid in the editorial.
United Nations chief António Guterres has refused to answer press questions after a national newspaper told him to "cut the crap" and call out corruption in Papua New Guinea.
Mr Guterres has been in Papua New Guinea since Tuesday for a historic visit to mark the country's 50th year of independence.
It is the first time a serving UN Secretary-General has visited the Pacific nation, which struggles with high rates of crime, gender-based violence and access to basic services.
But after touring the country for a week, one of the country's leading newspapers on Thursday published a scathing editorial, accusing him of "sugarcoating" words to local politicians.
"Welcome to corrupt Papua New Guinea António Guterres," opened the editorial, which was published by the Post Courier.
"Your message of assistance and hope is welcome for a nation turning 50.
"But we, the long-suffering people, suggest that you cut the crap and deal with the real issues here."
The editorial went on to say Papua New Guinea was suffering because of corruption and "nothing else", blaming politicians for holding back the country's development.
It alleged some of the politicians Mr Guterres had addressed in a speech to parliament were "deeply entrenched in corruption" themselves.
"We, the people, find it demeaning that you stand before our corrupt leaders and ask them to fix our lives," it said.
"You are asking politicians who don't care to care about Papua New Guinea."
UN Secretary General António Guterres received a ceremonial welcome from locals in Papua New Guinea. (ABC News: Marian Faa)
The ABC tried to ask Mr Guterres about the editorial at a press conference as he was walking off stage, but he did not address the question.
Prime Minister James Marape then stepped up and criticised the newspaper for a "poor choice of words", adding that his government had set up PNG's first anti-corruption commission.
During the four-day visit, Mr Guterres did not do interviews with local media, including the ABC, which made multiple requests to his office.
He held only one press conference where journalists were invited to ask questions.
Entrenched corruption
In Papua New Guinea, which gained independence from Australia in 1975, citizens have become increasingly dismayed with the state of development, many linking the issue to corruption.
The national anti-corruption watchdog last year said the problem could be costing the country up to 4 billion kina (roughly $1.45 billion) each year, roughly three per cent of its GDP.
Many locals say the country is struggling to develop further because of corruption. (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall)
Papua New Guinea is 127th out of 180 on the Corruption Perceptions Index, which ranks countries by their perceived levels of public sector corruption.
Opposition MP Kerenga Kua said it was the "single biggest impediment" to the nation, adding that he believed the issue was getting worse.
"When United Nations comes into a country like Papua New Guinea … they have to be able to take a position on it, articulate it in the same way they articulate climate change issues, gender-based violence issues," he said.
"Corruption is like a leech or a parasite that's sucking up the lifeblood of the resources that we need to develop all sectors of our community.
"We can have all kinds of policy plans, resource allocation, but would these things reach the final intended destination? With this kind of climate as we have, no, they don't."
Papua New Guinea opposition MP Kerenga Kua was criticial of the impacts of corruption on his country. (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall)
During the visit, António Guterres called for improved access to climate and development finance for countries like Papua New Guinea, which he referred to as "ground zero" for the impacts of global warming.
But Mr Kua said development partners had become reluctant to give money directly to the Papua New Guinean government.
"What they're doing is they're running their programs themselves ... because that's their way of avoiding the embedded corruption within the government."
UN chief's remarks called 'insulting'
During Mr Guterres's visit he has met with women leaders and visited UN programs that focus on gender equality, climate change and conflict resolution.
In a speech to parliament on Wednesday, he praised the country for being "champions of multilateralism and international solutions" in the face of global turmoil, climate change and growing inequality.
James Marape criticised the editorial published about António Guterres's trip and speech to PNG. (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall)
"Papua New Guinea offers a number of powerful lessons to the world," he said.
He also commended the country for its commitment to democracy and peaceful resolution of differences during its 50 years of nationhood.
Mr Guterres only mentioned corruption once, when talking about the UN's collaboration on anti-corruption training for people in the public service and the justice system.
The Post Courier editorial accused Mr Guterres of "sugarcoating" his words to Papua New Guinea's politicians.
"Don't come to Port Moresby and preach about ground zero, Sir. It is insulting," it said.
"We prefer you tell the police and army to arrest and charge all these corrupt leaders who have made our lives miserable."
Grey listing a sign of weak enforcement
Peter Aitsi, the chair of Transparency International PNG, urged Papua New Guinean leaders to strengthen mechanisms to stamp out corruption.
"The issue of corruption is our issue, it's a Papua New Guinean issue," he said.
Transparency International chair Peter Aitsi says corruption is “embedded” in all levels of government. (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall)
"I would much rather our politicians be the ones that actually not only talk about fighting corruption, but actually take action against corruption."
He said institutions such as the police, the Ombudsman Commission and the Independent Commission Against Corruption had been largely ineffective.
"We see, broad and widespread lawlessness, and yet we see no changes within our police force," he said.
Last year, Papua New Guinea was put on notice by the Financial Action Task Force, global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog.
It's highly likely the country will be grey listed by the international body early next year.
"That in itself tells the investors and the global finance market that our systems are weak," Mr Aitsi said.
"Until that's fixed, any investments, any capital raising, any kind of donor assistance that comes into the country is going to be challenged in terms of its ability to be effectively implemented."