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Papua New Guinea Army Revolt Ends
Rebellious soldiers surrendered hundreds of looted weapons to army chiefs Monday under a deal to end a 13-day mutiny that threatened to topple the government.
Rebel spokesman Corporal Ben Wafia said the revolt was over and the soldiers did not want to be seen holding the Papua New Guinea government ``under the barrel of a gun.''
The mutineers began surrendering the weapons after details of an amnesty were worked out earlier Monday in a meeting between army chief of staff Col. David Takendu and rebel leaders.
The soldiers mutinied and seized about 1,000 rifles and other weapons to protest a plan to cut the military by half to some 1,900 personnel as part of government economy moves. The South Pacific nation's economy is in tatters after years of bad management and corruption.
The military reduction plan was scrapped but Wafia said the return of the weapons was delayed by uncertainty about the legality of the amnesty they were promised by Prime Minister Sir Mekere Morauta.
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