Monday, October 16, 2006

Solomons pair spark victory.

By TONY SMITH
Solomon Islands super-subs Henry Fa'arodo and Batram Suri sparked a first-ever opening day victory for Canterbury United in the national soccer league.Read More

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

SUSPENDED ATTORNEY GENERAL FLOWN INTO HONIARA


Julian Moti [front] escorted by RAMSI police officer, followed by Chris Hapa and Robson Djiokovic after arriving in Honiara airport from Munda in a chopper this afternoon.

SIBC ONLINE:
The suspended attorney general Julian Moti has been flown to Honiara in handcuffs following his arrest at Munda earlier today.

The suspended attorney general Julian Moti has been flown to Honiara in handcuffs following his arrest at Munda earlier today.

Police say Mr Moti touched down at Munda runway on an unscheduled Papua New Guinea defence force aircraft at about five o'clock this morning.

He left the plane with four other men, including an official from the prime ministers office Robson Djoikovic and his lawyer Chris Hapa.

The Police media unit in Honiara says all five men fled when approached by officers from the Solomon Islands Police Force and RAMSI.

Mr Moti and Mr Djoikovic were captured immediately. Mr Hapa gave himself to police later.

Two other men are still being sought, but their identities are unknown.

Solomon Airlines and Aviation Control Towers workers in Honiara were not informed of arrangements for the flight.

Munda Police say Mr Moti did not have a passport with him on arrival.

They say Mr Moti told them that this would be taken care of by Government officials from Honiara.

Mr Moti's Australian passport was cancelled by Canberra at the time of his arrest in Port Moresby.

Australia issued an extradition warrant last month for Mr Moti for alleged child sex offences allegedly committed in Vanuatu in 1997.

Mr Moti arrived at Police Headquarters at Rove this evening.

SIBC reporter Walter Nalangu has details.

Mr Moti and the two Solomon Islanders assisting him arrived at Rove in separate vehicles about half past five this evening. The two Solomon Islanders are the Prime Minister's political analyst Robson Djoikovic and Chris Hapa of Pacific Lawyers. They were escorted in a police convoy from Henderson airport where they arrived from Munda in a police helicopter. The Police Media Unit in Honiara says all men will spend the night in police custody. It says they will be questioned by officers of the Solomon Islands Police Force. The office however could not confirm what charges could be laid against them. It is however understood the men are being investigated for breaching immigration and customs regulations, by entering the country without immigration and customs clearance. Moti's Australian passport is understood to have been cancelled by Australia.

Friday, October 06, 2006

Bond University drops Moti page

A current Google search returns a Bond University link at Number 1 position for Julian Moti - however, it appears Bond University have decided to erase this page as noted by ... Read More

Australia issues second-highest level travel warning for Solomon Islands

The Australian federal government has issued a strong warning for Australians thinking of travelling to the Solomons.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) upgraded its overall level of travel advice for the Solomons, warning Australians to reconsider altogether any scheduled travel to the country.Read More

Downer expects PNG to allow Moti extradition


Alexander Downer says he expects PNG to allow the extradition of Julian Moti. (File photo) (Insiders)
Foreign Affairs Minister Alexander Downer says he expects the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Government to act according to the rule of law and allow the extradition of the suspended Solomon Islands Attorney-General Julian Moti.

PNG and the leaders of the Solomon Islands have criticised Australia for seeking Mr Moti's arrest to face child sex charges in Australia.

But Mr Downer says the way the Solomon Islands Government has handled the matter raises questions about its governance.

"I think 20 million Australians know there's something wrong with this and I think people around the Pacific know there's something wrong with it," Mr Downer said.

"It just gets to the very heart of what we're concerned about which is governance in the Solomon Islands."

Meanwhile a planned vote of no confidence against Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was deferred amid claims by the opposition that some of its supporters had been threatened.

Mr Downer says he does not want to get involved in Solomon Islands politics and will not comment directly on the alleged threats.

"I think the important thing here is that they pursue their politics in a calm way without threats, without intimidation," he said.

"Try to make the arguments on the merits of the arguments one way or another.

"I mean, there's been talk of the opposition moving a no confidence motion, that's really none of our business."
New Source: ABC NEWS

OPPOSITION LEADER DEFERS MOTION OF NO CONFIDENCE

The Opposition leader Fred Fono has withdrawn the motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare.

Mr Fono has asked that the motion be deferred from today's order paper.

"Thank you Mr Speaker, I too beg leave that Standing Order 31(1) be suspended under Standing Order 81 to withdraw the motion I was to move today. The motion of no confidence in the Prime minister to have it moved on the Friday the 13th, October 2006."

Speaking to journalists after parliament was adjourned, Mr Fono said he deferred the motion because of security threats.

He said members from both the opposition and government sides who signed a memorandum of understanding in support of the motion have received threats.

More in our Midday report program after the news.

NO PLANS TO ISSUE PASSPORT TO MOTI



The government has denied plans to issue a Solomon Islands passport to the suspended Attorney General Julian Moti.

Answering a question from the Opposition leader, Fred Fono on the matter, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says the government has not yet decide on issuing a passport to Mr Moti.

Mr Sogavare questions where the information comes from.

Meanwhile, Commerce, Industries and Employment Minister Peter Shanel says the matter of issuing a passport to Mr Moti has not reached his office.

"The question of issuance of passport to the person concerned has not reached my office. I am not aware of any issuing of passport to the person concern."

HONIARA PLANNING AUTHORITY EXPRESSES DISAPPOINTMENT



The Honiara Town and Country Planning Board has expressed anger and disappointment with the Lands and Housing Minister for revoking its decision.

Board secretary Arlene Lingo says since April, the board has rejected six commercial applications for land designated for public open space.

The Board plans to revoke three similar developments which were previously approved.

The Minister had revoked two decisions by the board to reject commercial development on land designated for public open space, and has indicated he will not revoke earlier approvals.

FORMER SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICER CALLS FOR REFRAIN



Former senior public officer says Australia's Prime Minister John Howard and Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer should refrain from criticising Solomon islands political leaders as corrupt.

Mr Karani says Solomon islands political leaders are elected to office by the people of Solomon islands and it is rather absurd for someone outside or in another country to poke their nose into the domestic affairs of this country.

Karani says if the two Australian leaders were genuinely concerned about honesty by leaders, they would do better concentrating their efforts in the case of Australia Wheat Board scandal.

CANBERRA AND HONIARA ROW DISCUSSED



Senior diplomats from Papua New Guinea and Fiji will meet Australian officials today to discuss Canberra's row with Solomon Islands.

The secretary of Papua New Guinea's foreign affairs department, Gabriel Pepson, and Fiji's foreign affairs head, Isikeli Mataitoga, are to have the meeting in the Australian capital.

They have already visited Solomon Islands and the Pacific Forum Secretariat in Suva to discuss the diplomatic crisis, which was sparked in September when the Solomons expelled Australia's top diplomat from Honiara.

Radio Australia reports that Australia's foreign affairs department says it is happy to talk to the diplomats.

However, a department spokesman says Australia has made clear that it sees no need for any mediation by South Pacific countries, and says the delegation has accepted the meeting will not be a form of mediation between Solomon Islands and Australia.

A NEW NEWSPAPER LAUNCHED IN HONIARA



A third newspaper begins circulation in Honiara today.

Island Sun is published under the Trade Wind Company and owned by four local entrepreneurs.

Editor and one of the owners Donaldson Rusa says this is to give readers a variety.

The Island Sun was on sale in shops and streets of Honiara today and will be distributed to some provincial centres soon.

Rusa says the 12-pages newspaper will cover general issues, features, World, Pacific and sports news.

It will be published on Fridays.

News Source: Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation

Sneak Peak :SI Contigent to the Festival

These are some images taken from the welcome function hosted by the USP Solomon Islands Student studying in Suva. The contigent gave a preview of their cultural items and displays which was received with much praise from the students who are proud that this event will turn the tide of time towards the promotion of tourism to our isles.


Picture 029 Picture 027 Picture 025
Contigent from Malaita Outer Islands

Picture 014 Picture 013 Picture 036
Toelegu Panpipers from Isabel Province


Photos courtesy of Matilda Dani

SIS A ELECTION RESULTS 2006

The Solomon Islands Students studying at the University of the South Pacific on Tuesday 3th october had their General Election for 2006 for the executive post of SISA. The Returning Officer qouted as saying that the Turn up for voting was very good in cmparision to last years election . A total 327 students did turn up on the voting day.

The total registered Voter = 492
Total vote cast 3/10/2006 = 327
Invalid Votes = Nill

President Post
*******************************
Stephen Maesiola = 109
Joyce Maetoloa = 82
Alwyn Danitofea = 71
Peter fairamoa = 42
Stefaldo Fanakui = 23

Vice President
******************
Mary Tavava = 86
Dentana Kosiko = 63
Herman Aruhane =58
Rodney Suibaea =75
Frosty Kohaimane= 45

Secretary Post
******************
Matilda Dani = 134
Frank Panda = 109
Moses Haganitoto= 84


The newly elected President of SISA is Mr.Stephen Maesiola, a Post Graduate student doing good Governance and a long time serving officer in the government of Solomon Islands. The Vice President is Mrs. Mary R. Tavava, Secretary is Miss Matilda Dani and Treasurer is Miss Millisidy Qaqara who stood unoposed after the formal resignition of Micah Alopitu.