Prime Minister Michael Somare of Papua New Guinea

This picture has been released into the public domain

obligated to appear before the inquiry.

He says: The political record of Somare is without equal not only in PNG but in the South Pacific.

Ludwig Somare was a policeman from 1922 to 1947, rising to the rank of sergeant.

Following the third House of Assembly elections in 1972, Somare was able to form a coalition government which included Julius Chan of the People's Progress Party, himself later a Prime Minister, as Minister for Internal Finance.

In March 2005 Somare was required by security officers at Brisbane Airport, Australia, to remove his shoes during a routine departure security check and took strong exception to what he considered a humiliation, leading to a diplomatic contretemps and a significant cooling of relations between the two countries.

Tensions between Papua New Guinea and Australia worsened during the course of the Julian Moti affair, in which Somare has been implicated.

Following the 2007 parliamentary election, Somare was re-elected as Prime Minister on August 13 with the support of 86 out of the 109 Members of Parliament.

Somare has personally endorsed the Forests Now Declaration, calling for this and other new market based mechanisms to protect forests.

Speaking in Nadi on Monday, Somare described the Australian move as a "real insult to me personally" and accused Canberra of "treating the people of the region with contempt.

Equally unhelpful are heavy-handed approaches that have little regard for the social and cultural sensitivities in the local situation," Somare said about the criticism of some Pacific nations.

Michael Somare was the prime minister of Papua New Guinea from 1972 to 1980 and from 1982 to 1985.

Upon leaving, Mr Somare said he deeply regretted how a PNG Defence Force plane was used to illegally spirit Julian Moti off to the Solomon Islands.

Mr Somare said he did not authorise Mr Moti's escape, and said there was no connection between his previous comments that Julian Moti should be given free passage to the Solomons, and the escape that transpired last Tuesday.

Honourable Members, I now declare that the Member for East Civic, Sir Michael Somare has elected as the Prime Minister-elect of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.

Now Michael Somare has done it again.

Ludwig Somare was a policeman from 1922 to 1947, rising to the rank of sergeantSergeant Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organisations around the world.

Following the third House of Assembly elections in 1972, Somare was able to form a coalition government which included Julius ChanJulius Chan Sir Julius Chan, GCL, GCMG, KBE was Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea in 19801982 and 19941997.

Somare has always had an interest and a pride in his background and culture.

Personal lifeSomare married his wife Veronica in 1965, having courted her in traditional fashion, and then immediately left to take up his scholarship at Administrative College.

They have five children, Bertha (usually called "Betha" in the national press), Sana, ArthurArthur Somare The Honourable Arthur Somare is a Member of the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea.

Somare is head of both his own family and that of his wife, who initiated him into their title mindamot two days after his initiation as sana.

Shoes episodeIn March 2005 Somare was required by security officers at Brisbane AirportBrisbane Airport Brisbane Airport is located in the Brisbane suburb of Eagle Farm, Queensland, Australia.

affair, in which Somare has been implicated.

Somare has denied any involvement in authorising the flight.

Mr Justice Salika had found that Somare had authorised the flight at Sogavare's request, in breach of the constitution, and recommended that Somare and others be prosecuted for their role in the affair.

Somare was re-elected as Prime Minister on August 13 with the support of 86 out of the 109 Members of Parliament.

Somare has personally endorsed the Forests Now DeclarationForests Now Declaration The Forests Now Declaration is a declaration that calls for a number of new market-based mechanisms to protect tropical forests.

In 2004 Somare received authorization from cabinet to create an autochthonous honours system for Papua New Guinea.

Re-elected PNG Prime Minister Michael Somare is seen wearing a 'bula shirt' in Fiji on October 24, 2006.

Somare had accused Australia of meddling in the election after Canberra called on PNG to release a secret report into how lawyer Julian Moti, wanted in Australia on child-sex charges, escaped to the Solomon Islands on a PNG defense force plane.

Somare has refused to release the report and denies he was involved in Moti's escape, but local media said the report blames Somare and recommends the prime minister face charges.

Known as the Father of the Nation, Somare has slowly turned around Papua New Guinea's economic slump, with the economy growing since 2003 after several years of contraction, with gross domestic product forecast to grow 5.

But Somare has struggled to combat his country's problems with law and order and corruption, or to deliver a better standard of living for his people.

Sir Michael Somare is the current Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, a position he has held since 2002, and leader of the National Alliance Party.

Somare has had repeated disagrements with governemnts of Australia, Papua New Guinea's former colonial power.

Somare has overseen national economic growth largely through the exploitation of Papua New Guinea's vast natural resources.

Somare was the son of Ludwig Somare Sana and Kambe Somare.

policeman from 1922 to 1947, rising to the rank of sergeant.

himself later a Prime Minister, as Minister for Internal Finance.

the preparation and adoption of the Constitution.

always had an interest and a pride in his background and culture.

autobiography Sana (1975), Somare describes many fascinating incidents.

into their title mindamot two days after his initiation as sana.

Michael Somare has claimed the prime ministership of Papua New Guinea for a third time, prompting a predictable wave of nostalgia in the country.

remove his shoes during a Brisbane Airport security check.

remove his shoes as he and his delegation passed through.

treatment should be given to them.

PAPUA New Guinean Prime Minister Michael Somare has acknowledged financial ties with his country's controversial logging industry, despite previous denials of an involvement.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister Michael Somare has accused the Australian government of trying to interfere in his country's election process.

Somare said on Sunday he would raise the issue at the next Pacific Islands Forum meeting.

Somare said Australian commentators sometimes created an impression PNG would break down very shortly and become a failed state.

Somare has consistently denied sanctioning the flight for Moti, who is wanted in Australia to face child sex charges.

A rival political camp trying to oust Somare has sought a Supreme Court ruling on whether he has the right to contest the top post again.

The camp, led by former prime ministers Julius Chan and Mekere Morauta and former treasurer Bart Philemon, claimed that under the NA constitution, Somare had to step down because he had led the party for two consecutive terms.

THE office of Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare has been attacked by angry relatives of a dead party member.

Qatar will cut oil output; forecasts of oil production fall; Italy's Eni will work in Papua New Guinea.

Somare has managed to gain the support of 70 legislators and cobble together a seven-party coalition to govern.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Michael Somare has already offered his country as a venue for special talks later this year to discuss whether Fiji should be expelled from the Forum.

15/7/08 Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has been taken to task over a high number of mothers dying every year in Papua New Guinea due to pregnancy related complications.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has described as successful the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) meeting in Vanuatu last week, reports The National.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has lambasted government department heads and administrators for slackness and lack of punctuality.

Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is the head of government for Papua New Guinea.

7, 2009) - The Prime Ministers office yesterday confirmed that Sir Michael Somare had written to former Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke late last year.