http://www.thenational.com.pg/040709/nation3.php.........He said he made a public apology in Parliament the next day and even hosted a reconciliation peace ceremony on Friday ;-)))))))))))))))))))))))))
By WALLACE KIALA
A MISUNDERSTANDING over relief assistance to the Carterets and outlying islands between Bougainville MP Fidelis Semoso and Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Atolls representative Taehi Pais resulted in an alleged physical confrontation on March 25 at the ABG Parliament House.
Speaking to The National in Port Moresby yesterday, Mr Pais alleged that he was verbally abused and punched in the face by Mr Semoso during a Parliament recess.
Mr Pais said he ended up receiving treatment at the Buka Hospital from a cut lip.
He said he later reported the matter to Buka police that same day.
“Mr Semoso punched me because he was not happy with questions I raised in Parliament the previous afternoon about K1 million he reportedly received in February for disaster services in the region and the whereabouts of that money,” Mr Pais claimed.
“My line of questions was to the local minister for local level governments to explain how many disaster offices existed in the region and when additional relief supplies for the Atolls would be made available,” Mr Pais told The National yesterday.
When contacted late yesterday afternoon, Mr Semoso admitted to the assault but said he was provoked to do so.
Speaking from Buka, Mr Semoso said he had invited Mr Pais earlier that day to his office to inform him (Pais) of the supplies that were purchased with the money in question and that they were awaiting distribution that week.
“The K1 million was used to buy water tanks, timber, medicine, school materials, food items and work tools and other necessary relief supplies to dispatch to the Atolls.
“I invited Mr Pais to inform him of the shipment that was to follow but he ignored my invitation,” Mr Semoso explained.
He said he then drove to Parliament House to brief Mr Pais but Mr Pais allagedly reacted aggressively towards him, which forced Mr Semoso to deliver a hard backhand slap that caused the ABG MP to bleed.
He said he made a public apology in Parliament the next day and even hosted a reconciliation peace ceremony on Friday which Mr Pais did not attend.
Mr Semoso stressed that Government officials were currently in the Atolls distributing relief supplies bought from the K1 million and an update on the situation would be made known before this weekend.
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