Government heads towards a fall
Australia's Foreign Minister's open letter
Australia has expressed concern over the deteriorating diplomatic rift between Solomon Islands and Canberra.
Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer raises this concern in an open letter to the people of Solomon Islands. Australian designate High Commissioner, Peter Hooton released Mr Downer's letter to the media late Thursday. Mr Downer says Australia was worried that the current spiral of events could undermine Australia and the Pacific regions's efforts to help Solomon Islands through the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.
He says Canberra has moved ahead in its efforts to normalise diplomatic relationship with Solomon Islands by facilitating the appointment of Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australian. However, Mr Downer says Solomon Islands Government had delayed reciprocating similar protocols.
He says two appointments have been made for High Commissioner designate Peter Hooton to present his letters of introduction to the Prime Minister, but the Solomon Islands government had cancelled those appointments. Mr Downers says the cancellations makes it difficult for the Australian High Commissioner designate to formally carry out his diplomatic duties.
PM Sogavare responses
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogovare says he is offended by Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer's open letter addressed directly to Solomon Islanders released this morning in the media.
In a statement today, Mr Sogovare described Mr Downer's letter as 'undiplomatic'. He said the channels of communication to any government should be done through the country's Foreign Affairs Ministry. He said Australia does not have any right to communicate directly to the people of Solomon Islands and should have followed the normal channels.
Mr Sogavare said that Mr Downer's latest move is a demonstration of the Australian government's disrespectful attitude and their plan to run a parallel government in this country. He said that Australia is on a 'mad' campaign to protect their agenda and to gain sympathy amongst the public and organisations of Solomon Islands.
Parliament Defeats Opposition Leader motion
Parliament today defeated a motion calling on the government to allow the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Inquiry to conduct their inquiry in Solomon Islands.
Opposition leader Fred Fono, who moved the motion said the flight into Solomon Islands is being questioned by Solomon Islanders whether or not government ministers and officials were involved.
During the debate on the motion Foreign Minister Patteson Oti clarified that he had already issued an official note to the Papua New Guinea Government protesting the breach of Solomon Islands international airspace by the PNG Defence Force plane that had brought Julian Moti to the country in October last year.
He said as soon as the government was alerted on the event, he summoned the Papua New Guinea High Commissioner to his office that afternoon, and issued a note of protest, dated the same date 10th of October 2006. Mr Oti said there has not been any reply as yet. He said the concerns that the government raised must be established within the jurisdictions of Papua New Guinea so that they can make out who is liable for that breach.
National Council of Trade Unions joins the opposition
The Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions, SICTU, is planning a nationwide strike if the government continues to ignore the wishes of the people and pushes ahead with its plans to implement certain issues.
SICTU National Secretary Tony Kagovai it is very clear that the workers of this nation do not want to go back to the dark days of the rule of the gun. He says many union members suffered great hardship, and still have not recovered financially from the last time guns ruled this nation. Mr Kagovai also says many in the private sector lost their jobs, many such as teachers and nurses did not receive their pay for several years because militants and rogue police officers were using guns to get the money for themselves.
In a resolution adopted at an Executive meeting of the Solomon Islands Council of Trade Union held in Honiara on Wednesday 7 February 2007, the Council condemned the two most controversial decisions of the Sogavare Government.
Firstly, the decision to rearm the Solomon Islands Police and secondly, the refusal of the government to authorize entry of the PNG Defence Force Commission of Enquiry to interview certain individuals in Solomon Islands in connection with Julian Moti’s illegal escape from Papua New Guinea last year.
SICTU therefore calls on the Government to immediately reverse its position on the two above mentioned issues. If the government, especially the PM refuses to change the government current position on the two issues concerned, the Council has resolved to do the following.
To declare a nationwide strike in support of the people’s demands.
To seek support from the International Trade Union Movement to place a ban on ships that are likely to transport arms to Solomon Islands.
To actively support any initiatives undertaken by civil society, the churches and any other local groups, in protesting against the government decision to rearm the Solomon Islands Police Force.
MyBlog says
The diplomatic rift between Honiara and Canberra has worsen over the past weeks.
MyBlog believes the situation can only be diffused when parties involved in the rift and related issues come together and resolve their differences. All parties must reach a mutual understanding to resolve the many outstanding issues. This is especially true for the main players, Solomon Islands and Australia. Other countries and organisations in the Pacific region have somehow got tangled in the situation. They include the Melanesian Spearhead Group countries and the South Pacific Forum.
A PNG politician has described Solomon Islands as a speck in an ocean. While many Solomon Islanders may feel offended by such statement to some extent it is true. There is a saying that "he who has the money and power, calls the tune."
MyBlog hopes that common sense prevails, and the ordinary are not made to suffer. It says a prolonged stand-off between Honiara and Canberra would lead to the down-fall of the Sogavare government.
Shalom
Australia has expressed concern over the deteriorating diplomatic rift between Solomon Islands and Canberra.
Australian Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer raises this concern in an open letter to the people of Solomon Islands. Australian designate High Commissioner, Peter Hooton released Mr Downer's letter to the media late Thursday. Mr Downer says Australia was worried that the current spiral of events could undermine Australia and the Pacific regions's efforts to help Solomon Islands through the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.
He says Canberra has moved ahead in its efforts to normalise diplomatic relationship with Solomon Islands by facilitating the appointment of Solomon Islands High Commissioner to Australian. However, Mr Downer says Solomon Islands Government had delayed reciprocating similar protocols.
He says two appointments have been made for High Commissioner designate Peter Hooton to present his letters of introduction to the Prime Minister, but the Solomon Islands government had cancelled those appointments. Mr Downers says the cancellations makes it difficult for the Australian High Commissioner designate to formally carry out his diplomatic duties.
PM Sogavare responses
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogovare says he is offended by Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer's open letter addressed directly to Solomon Islanders released this morning in the media.
In a statement today, Mr Sogovare described Mr Downer's letter as 'undiplomatic'. He said the channels of communication to any government should be done through the country's Foreign Affairs Ministry. He said Australia does not have any right to communicate directly to the people of Solomon Islands and should have followed the normal channels.
Mr Sogavare said that Mr Downer's latest move is a demonstration of the Australian government's disrespectful attitude and their plan to run a parallel government in this country. He said that Australia is on a 'mad' campaign to protect their agenda and to gain sympathy amongst the public and organisations of Solomon Islands.
Parliament Defeats Opposition Leader motion
Parliament today defeated a motion calling on the government to allow the Papua New Guinea Defence Force Inquiry to conduct their inquiry in Solomon Islands.
Opposition leader Fred Fono, who moved the motion said the flight into Solomon Islands is being questioned by Solomon Islanders whether or not government ministers and officials were involved.
During the debate on the motion Foreign Minister Patteson Oti clarified that he had already issued an official note to the Papua New Guinea Government protesting the breach of Solomon Islands international airspace by the PNG Defence Force plane that had brought Julian Moti to the country in October last year.
He said as soon as the government was alerted on the event, he summoned the Papua New Guinea High Commissioner to his office that afternoon, and issued a note of protest, dated the same date 10th of October 2006. Mr Oti said there has not been any reply as yet. He said the concerns that the government raised must be established within the jurisdictions of Papua New Guinea so that they can make out who is liable for that breach.
National Council of Trade Unions joins the opposition
The Solomon Islands Council of Trade Unions, SICTU, is planning a nationwide strike if the government continues to ignore the wishes of the people and pushes ahead with its plans to implement certain issues.
SICTU National Secretary Tony Kagovai it is very clear that the workers of this nation do not want to go back to the dark days of the rule of the gun. He says many union members suffered great hardship, and still have not recovered financially from the last time guns ruled this nation. Mr Kagovai also says many in the private sector lost their jobs, many such as teachers and nurses did not receive their pay for several years because militants and rogue police officers were using guns to get the money for themselves.
In a resolution adopted at an Executive meeting of the Solomon Islands Council of Trade Union held in Honiara on Wednesday 7 February 2007, the Council condemned the two most controversial decisions of the Sogavare Government.
Firstly, the decision to rearm the Solomon Islands Police and secondly, the refusal of the government to authorize entry of the PNG Defence Force Commission of Enquiry to interview certain individuals in Solomon Islands in connection with Julian Moti’s illegal escape from Papua New Guinea last year.
SICTU therefore calls on the Government to immediately reverse its position on the two above mentioned issues. If the government, especially the PM refuses to change the government current position on the two issues concerned, the Council has resolved to do the following.
To declare a nationwide strike in support of the people’s demands.
To seek support from the International Trade Union Movement to place a ban on ships that are likely to transport arms to Solomon Islands.
To actively support any initiatives undertaken by civil society, the churches and any other local groups, in protesting against the government decision to rearm the Solomon Islands Police Force.
MyBlog says
The diplomatic rift between Honiara and Canberra has worsen over the past weeks.
MyBlog believes the situation can only be diffused when parties involved in the rift and related issues come together and resolve their differences. All parties must reach a mutual understanding to resolve the many outstanding issues. This is especially true for the main players, Solomon Islands and Australia. Other countries and organisations in the Pacific region have somehow got tangled in the situation. They include the Melanesian Spearhead Group countries and the South Pacific Forum.
A PNG politician has described Solomon Islands as a speck in an ocean. While many Solomon Islanders may feel offended by such statement to some extent it is true. There is a saying that "he who has the money and power, calls the tune."
MyBlog hopes that common sense prevails, and the ordinary are not made to suffer. It says a prolonged stand-off between Honiara and Canberra would lead to the down-fall of the Sogavare government.
Shalom
posted by Myblog | 10:51 pm
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