Cook Islands PM survives coup attempt

Cook Islands Prime Minister Henry Puna
survives coup attempt. Getty Images

An alleged coup de tat to topple the  Cook Islands prime minister  Henry Puna fizzled out and died on Friday, according to political commentator Wilkie Rasmussen.

The former Leader of the Opposition claims the much anticipated attempted coup died because “my friend Henry (Puna) is our version of the Great Houdini – a famous escape artist.”

In his regular Cook  Islands News opinion column today, Rasmussen says:

“Probably, oblivious to most Cook Islanders but alive and well in the political circus, Prime Minister Henry Puna and his cohorts had it coming. With Albert Nicholas absent from Parliament, the stage was set. From the CIP rank and file were two or three defectors primed to hop, skip and jump into a new Government – an assortment of nine Democrats, two One Cook Islands MPs and two or three CIP defectors.

“It would have been truly a “national unity coalition”, a desire once harboured by PM Puna and several proponents of a collective of MPs making up a Cook Islands unity government. But in this instance Puna was not in the equation. He was the bulwark to castigate and expel. His throne was to go to one from his enclosure.

“As my learned friend would say, ‘it all turned to custard’ or ‘it turned pear shaped’ – pardon the sexist pun here. Indeed, in the aftermath, fingers were pointed here and there, names were thrown about as to who squealed and why did the DIP defectors pike out? And of course what on earth happened?

“As it has been with these secret political deals and treacherous behaviour, no-one really knew how the coup was foiled to let Henry Puna escape and live again. One time, I said my friend Henry is our version of the Great Houdini, a famous escape artist. With such a thin margin, Henry again managed to hold together his team despite stats and facts of alleged corruption, financial abuse, and nepotism levelled against him and his government. How does he do it? I guess there is one consolation for those that had their dream busted, Houdini on that one time too many drowned and died. Maybe, Henry’s comeuppance will surely come, perhaps not by force but by the polls.”

Meanwhile, the announcement in Parliament last week by Teina Bishop that One Cook Islands (OCI) has formed and alliance with the Democratic Party (Demo) in a Coalition Partnership has ended speculation about the One Cook Islands party’s political intentions and the future role and direction the coalition will play in anticipation of a future change of government.

In a media statement, party leader Teina Bishop said that while the Demo Party had supported the merger with OCI at its conference earlier this year, nothing had been confirmed at that time.

However, dialogue over policy and governance issues had continued, said Bishop.

“We are now happy with the policy agreement between both political entities and there is a positive optimism within the team that the time is right to cement this relationship formally.

“This new partnership is founded on the fact that in Parliament today at the conclusion of the 2014 election, the coalition partnership represents 62 per cent of voters in Parliament compared to 38 per cent by the ruling Cook Island Party (CIP) Government. An alliance between CIP and OCI would have 53 per cent, so in terms of OCI’s analysis of Parliamentary representation, it makes sense to merge with the Demos,” said Bishop.

“Our priority is establishing some clear guidelines in an effort to genuinely work together to achieve a better future for our people and our country.

“These policy priorities will be released in due course but for now, the emphasis will be on addressing the Budget Appropriation Amendment Bill which is currently being debated in Parliament.”

“It is also important to emphasise that William Heather remains Leader of the Opposition and I am  Leader of OCI in parliament.  

“We’re excited by the joint prospects of working together and believe trust and flexibility are critical to maintaining this ongoing relationship.

“We acknowledge there will be challenges along the way, however Heather and myself are confident we have a very good combination with our joint policy directions and in nurturing the team together.”

Bishop said the Coalition Policy Agreement was a first step and the appointment of shadow Ministers  to look after the various portfolio areas would be next in line.  

“A process of familiarisation will also be undertaken regarding governance procedures and processes to ensure the team is equipped with the right skills and capability to undertake the huge responsibility of running Government when the time comes.

“One Cook Islands has been allocated an office at Parliament and I  take this opportunity to thank the Minister responsible Hon Nandi Glassie and Madam Speaker for recognising OCI as a political entity in allowing this to happen.

SOURCE: COOK ISLANDS NEWS