Somare claims victory in New Guinea's elections

By With Analysis From Monitor Correspondents Around The World; Edited By Anne Shutt

June 28, 1982

Port Moresby, New Guinea

Former Prime Minister Michael Somare claimed victory Sunday in Papua New Guinea's three-week-long general election, saying his Pangu party definitely would lead the new government.

Observers expect Mr. Somare, who led the country to independence in 1975, to get about 50 of the 109 parliamentary seats and then win enough independent support to form a coalition.