The parliament of Solomons Islands have voted in a new prime
minister who wants to wrestle back some control over the riot-hit
country's troubled finances from corruption-fighting Australian
bureaucrats.
Manasseh Sogavare immediately called for a review of the Regional
Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), saying that
while it was "doing a good job" with security, qualified locals
should have a greater say in how their nation is run.
In jubilant scenes opposite to the destructive mayhem triggered by
the election of his failed and unpopular predecessor Snyder Rini
last month, Sogavare's victory was greeted with cheers and applause
by a crowd of hundreds outside the parliament.
On the steps of the legislature and under the gaze of Australian
sharpshooters and riot squads, Sogavare appealed for calm saying:
"If you want to celebrate, do not make trouble".
Sogavare has served as prime minister during past ethnic violence
that had pushed the country to the brink of being a failed state.
He was in office in 2000-2001 and propped up by the militant
Malaita Eagle Force.
On Thursday, the 50-seat parliament took about two hours to vote in
Sogavare, 28 votes to 22 against rival Fred Fono, who had been a
minister in Rini's short-lived cabinet.
Two MPs held in custody for their alleged involvement in the April
18-19 riots voted behind bars in Honiara's Rove prison.
Sogavare, whose defection with some other MPs from Rini's coalition
forced Rini to quit last week, said he would appoint ministers over
the weekend and on Monday the new government would start addressing
issues facing the nation.
In his sights are some key functions held by RAMSI where Australian
officials keep tight controluption drive.
"RAMSI is doing a good job, restoring law and order, delivery of
essential services, institutional strengthening," Sogavare said
hours after his victory.
"These are good things anyone in their right mind would
support."
But he raised concerns about outsiders controlling the prime
minister's office, as well as the finance and police ministries,
saying that was not in the best interests of Solomon
Islanders.
RAMSI officials are in high-powered posts such as
accountant-general. The police commissioner is an Australian, Shane
Castles, who might also find his position under scrutiny by the
government.
RAMSI officials have brought in some tight controls which have
caused of friction for government ministers and local
bureaucrats.
Sogavare said his government intended to systematically see Solomon
Islanders take more roles in decision-making in very important
institutions and ministries and one of them was finance
ministry.
"We have no problem with them (RAMSI) being present in ministries
if there is a need for them," said Sogavare.
"If there are qualified Solomon Islanders who can do their job,
then as a general rule, Solomon Islanders should be used in this
position."
"So, yes, we will be looking seriously at people holding line posts
in ministerial positions and see if there's a continued need for
them to remain in those positions."
Sogavare said his government would jump on corrupt leaders "like a
ton of bricks" and work closely with the joint RAMSI-Solomons
police anti-corruption unit.
"They are not arresting some people we know of, I think that's a
concern."
RAMSI Special Coordinator, Australian diplomat, James Batley,
congratulated Sogavare on his election saying it could bring
a "period of uncertainty to an end."
Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said he looked forward to working
with Sogavare and urged the people of the Solomon Islands to accept
parliament's decision.
"It's important that those in what is going to be the opposition
and their supporters in the broader community accept the result of
the vote of the parliament," he told reporters.
Downer said no decision had been made about when Australia would
start bringing home its troops from the Solomons.
"We won't need to maintain the number (of troops) we have there at
the moment for very long I suspect, although we have made no
decision to reduce the numbers," he said.
"We may very well end up leaving a small number there for quite a
long period of time, we just have to wait and see."
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