Transcript
JOE NATUMAN: Well I accept the decision of the court. Vanuatu is a democratic country and when something like this of this nature [happen] we go to court and the court makes the decision and I accept the decision of the court.
JAMIE TAHANA: Do you plan to stay on as deputy prime minister?
JN: I have to discuss that with the prime minister and my electorate.
JT: Do you want to stay on as deputy prime minister?
JN: Well I committed to seeing this government through. I'm committed to the memorandum we signed with the prime minister to see this government through, to complete the four year term. As you know, In Vanuatu there has been a lot of instability and I want to maintain that commitment to the prime minister. I have to consider that and other options as well.
JT: How do you think that will go? Because you pleaded guilty a month or so ago, have you spoken with Mr Salwai about all the possibilities?
JN: Well, I mean, we have discussed that and it will be up to the prime minister and myself and my electorate.
JT: OK and how long do you expect that all to take?
JN: I don't know, it might take some time.
JT: OK but no immediate plans to step aside?
JN: Not immediate. I mean that's the position of the court. In terms of political decisions, that is up to me and the prime minister and my electorate.
JT: OK but you plan to stay on for now and you're going to take it to the prime minister and the people of Tanna.
JN: Yeah. Eventually the democratic process - the people - will decide. That's the court decision on these particular charges. The final decision in the democratic process belongs to the people. You know, this is democracy. If the people think that I have had enough they will say so and they will vote for me then tell me that I have had enough. I will speak with that democratic process.
JT: You apologised in court today?
JN: Yes I did. I apologised to court because we are just human beings. We are just human. We make mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes. As prime minister at the time I was under a lot of pressure and I made a mistake. I accepted that and I apologised to the court for that. We are only human beings, we are not gods. The people will eventually decide.
