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Ellison in Solomon Islands

 

April 28, 2006

This article from : AAP

JUSTICE Minister Chris Ellison has reinforced Australia's anti-corruption message to Solomon Islands politicians in the wake of last week's destructive riots in the capital Honiara.

On a flying visit to the capital today, Ellison met members of the caretaker government and the opposition and said both sides had agreed that corruption was a key issue that needed to be addressed.

They also supported the ongoing presence of the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI), he said.

Hundreds of extra troops and police were flown into Honiara last week to help restore order following two days of rioting in which most of Chinatown was razed along with other Chinese businesses across the city.

Solomons and RAMSI police in Honiara were stretched beyond their resources by the scale of the mob actions following the election by MPs of Snyder Rini as prime minister.

Rini, widely perceived to be in the pockets of Chinese businessmen, was forced to resign on Wednesday after five of his Coalition Government members crossed the floor to join the Opposition.

On a flying visit to Honiara on Saturday, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer urged Rini to address corruption.

Manasseh Sogavare, who led the defectors from Rini's camp, has emerged as opposition candidate for PM.

But in the fluid world of Solomons politics with its shifting alliances, small parties and many independents, the scene could soon change.

Former National Planning Minister Fred Fono has been tipped as a candidate from the Rini side with nominations closing tomorrow.

Ellison rejected criticisms of RAMSI operations during the rioting, saying he thought the situation had been handled in a very professional manner under difficult circumstances.

"I am very relieved we've had no fatalities as a result of the violence. We've had police personnel injured and we're treating them and that is an appalling situation," he said.

On the issue of Taiwanese aid money to Solomons, Ellison said Australia supported any foreign government assisting in appropriate aid to the Solomons and the Pacific generally.

"But what we don't approve of is where money is thrown around and it's capable of fostering corruption.

"When aid is given to a country like the Solomon Islands it's intended that it will benefit the people of the Solomon Islands and not some particular individual."

New Zealand Foreign Minister Phil Goff finished an overnight visit to Honiara today after inspecting riot damage and visiting New Zealand's troops and police serving with RAMSI.

Giving a message to mainland China and Taiwan to back off from "chequebook diplomacy" in the Pacific, Goff told reporters such dealings were negative for the Solomon Islands and its people.

China and Taiwan are competing for sole diplomatic recognition from Pacific countries.

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