Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PORTMORESBY149
2009-08-12 09:32:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Port Moresby
Cable title:  

SITUATION REPORT - TRIBAL VIOLENCE NEAR AMERICAN MISSIONARY

Tags:  CASC PTER ASEC APER CMGT AMGT 
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O 120932Z AUG 09
FM AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5591
INFO AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY IMMEDIATE 
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA IMMEDIATE 
AMEMBASSY SUVA IMMEDIATE 
AMCONSUL SYDNEY IMMEDIATE 
AMCONSUL AUCKLAND IMMEDIATE 
AMEMBASSY JAKARTA IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS PORT MORESBY 000149 

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, BANGKOK FOR RCO WILL LAIDLAW, DEPARTMENT
FOR ACS/OCS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC APER CMGT AMGT
SUBJECT: SITUATION REPORT - TRIBAL VIOLENCE NEAR AMERICAN MISSIONARY
COMPOUND

UNCLAS PORT MORESBY 000149

DEPARTMENT FOR EAP/ANP, BANGKOK FOR RCO WILL LAIDLAW, DEPARTMENT
FOR ACS/OCS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC APER CMGT AMGT
SUBJECT: SITUATION REPORT - TRIBAL VIOLENCE NEAR AMERICAN MISSIONARY
COMPOUND


1. Summary: Post was notified today by the director of the Summer Institute of Learning (SIL) compound that the neighboring village of Ukarumpa is experiencing heavy tribal conflicts in response to a gang rape that occurred near the village on Tuesday. The SIL compound houses 450 to 500 American Citizen Missionaries and their families, along with 100 missionaries from other countries. The tribal fighting has resulted in the deaths of three villagers and the total destruction of one village. Some villagers have been climbing the SIL compound fence and running through the property to avoid attackers who, in some instances, have chased them through the SIL property. Although the compound has taken some stray fire, no Americans have been hurt and the compound is not at the moment being
targeted by either of the two warring factions. Although no hostility is currently being directed at the SIL compound, leaders from one village told the director that if SIL continues to give refuge to the inhabitants of the opposing village, they will attack the compound. As of this report, no Americans have
been hurt, but the compound has been locked down for the evening and the adjacent airfield has been closed. A mobile police unit from the nearby city of Goroka has arrived at the compound and will remain for the evening. End summary.


2. Post Regional Security Officer was informed by the director of the SIL missionary compound that a heavy exchange of gunfire between the inhabitants of Kamano and Gadsup villages had broken out at approximately 5:45 this morning near the compound. The cause of the fighting is the alleged gang rape of an inhabitant of the Kamano Village by a gang from the nearby village of Gadsup. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of three or four villagers and the near total destruction of Gadsup, which is located near the SIL compound. Although no hostility is being directed at SIL, the institute has taken some stray fire from adjacent conflict areas. Earlier today, several locals entered SIL's compound by climbing the fence to escape attackers. There have been no injuries to staff or students,
though one of theSIL aircraft was hit by stray gunfire as it was landing at the airfield. Everyone was accounted for. SIL has suspended classes, locked down their compound, and ceased use of their airstrip.


3. Conoff spoke with the director and asked him what preparations were being made in the event of an evacuation. He aid the compound has emergency provisions of food for several days. There is also ample fuel for two helicopters currently on the compound. He added that although they could use the two helicopters to transport some of the missionaries, and their airstrip is large enough to accommodate medium-sized aircraft, most missionaries would depart by motorized convoy in the
direction of the city of Ramu. He did voice concern that a convoy would need to drive through the area where the majority of the fighting is occurring. The SIL compound has approximately 650 inhabitants, 450 of whom are American Citizens.


4. The area where the SIL compound is located has in the past seen its share of tribal fighting. Revenge killings are an accepted form of violence, and law enforcement in the area is
almost non-existent. Post has on at least one previous occasion voiced its concerns about the general lawlessness in the area to the Commissioner of Police for Papua New Guinea, who has promised to look into the matter. The local police force, much like police forces in the rest of the country, suffers from a
lack of resources, training and funding. Post will continue to monitor the situation very closely and will report any developments to the department.

CLEVELANDDR