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
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
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
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.
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."
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 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.
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 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
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.
Contigent from Malaita Outer Islands
Toelegu Panpipers from Isabel Province
Photos courtesy of Matilda Dani
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.
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.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Solomon Bilikiki drawn into Group C
SIFF-Sporting Pulse
HONIARA, 5 Sept 2006: Solomon Islands Beach Soccer team has been drawn into Group C, together with Portugal, Uruguay and an African country for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Brazil in November.
The draw has pitted Solomon Islands against two of the best soccer playing nations in the World however this will not intimidate the boys from the pacific who will participate in the world stage for the first time.
World cup soccer had produced many upsets in the past and history can repeat itself again in this upcoming competition scheduled to take place at Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro-Brazil between 2 and 12 November 2006.
SIFF President Martin Alufurai is confident Solomon Islands can cause upset in the World Competition and will do all he can in his capacity to ensure the team gets a descent preparation before the competition kicks off in November.
He says he had told SIFF General Secretary Eddie Ngava and Small Sided Games development officer Eddie Omokirio before they departed for the futsal/beach soccer seminar at Papeete that a new code is born in Solomon Islands referring to beach soccer and has taken a giant leap in its introductory stage to become the first to compete in FIFA World event.
HONIARA, 5 Sept 2006: Solomon Islands Beach Soccer team has been drawn into Group C, together with Portugal, Uruguay and an African country for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Brazil in November.
The draw has pitted Solomon Islands against two of the best soccer playing nations in the World however this will not intimidate the boys from the pacific who will participate in the world stage for the first time.
World cup soccer had produced many upsets in the past and history can repeat itself again in this upcoming competition scheduled to take place at Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro-Brazil between 2 and 12 November 2006.
SIFF President Martin Alufurai is confident Solomon Islands can cause upset in the World Competition and will do all he can in his capacity to ensure the team gets a descent preparation before the competition kicks off in November.
He says he had told SIFF General Secretary Eddie Ngava and Small Sided Games development officer Eddie Omokirio before they departed for the futsal/beach soccer seminar at Papeete that a new code is born in Solomon Islands referring to beach soccer and has taken a giant leap in its introductory stage to become the first to compete in FIFA World event.
Bilikiki dances to Brazil
By MOFFAT MAMU (Star Sports)
THE Solomon Islands Bilikiki Beach soccer team had created history to become the first Pacific Island country to qualify for a FIFA World Championship in Brazil after it defeated Vanuatu 6-2 in the finals in Tahiti.
This means the beach boys have booked themselves a ticket to represent the Oceania region in Rio later this year.
It might have been a new code of soccer being introduced into the country but the turnover effect of the talent that Solomon Islands possessed was evident at the Tahiti qualifier. Read More
THE Solomon Islands Bilikiki Beach soccer team had created history to become the first Pacific Island country to qualify for a FIFA World Championship in Brazil after it defeated Vanuatu 6-2 in the finals in Tahiti.
This means the beach boys have booked themselves a ticket to represent the Oceania region in Rio later this year.
It might have been a new code of soccer being introduced into the country but the turnover effect of the talent that Solomon Islands possessed was evident at the Tahiti qualifier. Read More
Monday, August 14, 2006
Karembeu Inspires Youth
Karembeu was there to inspire young pacific youths. He is the only Pacific Islander to have lifted the World Cup in 1998.
Solomon Islands was on the highlight the first day into the First Pacific Youth festival held in Tahiti Pape'ete. It was the storyof soccer celebrations in Honiara (SI), a uniting factor indeed.
Karembeu and Karamui head to head in Pape'ete, Tahiti
Solomon Islands was on the highlight the first day into the First Pacific Youth festival held in Tahiti Pape'ete. It was the storyof soccer celebrations in Honiara (SI), a uniting factor indeed.
Karembeu and Karamui head to head in Pape'ete, Tahiti
Friday, July 21, 2006
Rework RAMSI to help build sustainable Solomons urges Oxfam
The newly elected government of the Solomon Islands can act to help dampen simmering public dissatisfaction but RAMSI will need to change its approach and seek more ways to support ordinary people to have their say in shaping the future of the country, says a new report by Oxfam as the third anniversary of the mission's arrival approaches.
"More needs to be done to allow ordinary people to help shape the future of the Solomon Islands and to have a say in how development is to address their needs and to create jobs," said Barry Coates, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand.
Bridging the Gap Between State and Society - New directions for the Solomon Islands is published today (20 July) to mark the start of a one-day seminar co-hosted by Oxfam International and Transparency International in Honiara to debate the future of the Solomon Islands. The report found that RAMSI's focus on rebuilding the state and machinery of government was missing meaningful consultation with and the informed support of the people of the Solomon Islands.
"RAMSI had been hailed as a model for state building in post-conflict societies," Coates said. "But a central challenge for RAMSI now is to help build a bridge between state and society."
The Oxfam report calls for resources allocated to strengthen the government to be balanced with an increased emphasis on building better linkages between rural and urban communities and the state, as well as addressing concerns for employment, rural livelihoods and basic services.
In 2005, Oxfam interviewed 776 men, women, youths, police, civil society and government officials in Honiara, Malatia and Central Guadalcanal. It found:
* widespread dissatisfaction that government rhetoric on economic development had yet to be translated into real action on livelihoods and human security
*little understanding of the rebuilding process among the general population
* a perception especially in rural areas where RAMSI has less of a presence that security had not greatly improved
* a pervasive sense of exclusion from government decision making and a lack of linkages and engagement between government and its citizens.
A lack of Pacific Island staff in RAMSI also hinders the mission's impact with Solomon Islanders, according to Oxfam. As at end of May 2006, 94 per cent of civilian advisors in the Solomon Islands came from Australia and New Zealand, with Pacific Island staff largely confined to the role of foot soldiers.
"To help promote long-term peace and stability in the Solomon Islands, RAMSI needs to improve community engagement, address security concerns, focus more on livelihoods, food security and rural development and bolster its ranks with increased representation from the region," concluded Coates.
Download the report Bridging the Gap (PDF 2.4mb)
"More needs to be done to allow ordinary people to help shape the future of the Solomon Islands and to have a say in how development is to address their needs and to create jobs," said Barry Coates, Executive Director of Oxfam New Zealand.
Bridging the Gap Between State and Society - New directions for the Solomon Islands is published today (20 July) to mark the start of a one-day seminar co-hosted by Oxfam International and Transparency International in Honiara to debate the future of the Solomon Islands. The report found that RAMSI's focus on rebuilding the state and machinery of government was missing meaningful consultation with and the informed support of the people of the Solomon Islands.
"RAMSI had been hailed as a model for state building in post-conflict societies," Coates said. "But a central challenge for RAMSI now is to help build a bridge between state and society."
The Oxfam report calls for resources allocated to strengthen the government to be balanced with an increased emphasis on building better linkages between rural and urban communities and the state, as well as addressing concerns for employment, rural livelihoods and basic services.
In 2005, Oxfam interviewed 776 men, women, youths, police, civil society and government officials in Honiara, Malatia and Central Guadalcanal. It found:
* widespread dissatisfaction that government rhetoric on economic development had yet to be translated into real action on livelihoods and human security
*little understanding of the rebuilding process among the general population
* a perception especially in rural areas where RAMSI has less of a presence that security had not greatly improved
* a pervasive sense of exclusion from government decision making and a lack of linkages and engagement between government and its citizens.
A lack of Pacific Island staff in RAMSI also hinders the mission's impact with Solomon Islanders, according to Oxfam. As at end of May 2006, 94 per cent of civilian advisors in the Solomon Islands came from Australia and New Zealand, with Pacific Island staff largely confined to the role of foot soldiers.
"To help promote long-term peace and stability in the Solomon Islands, RAMSI needs to improve community engagement, address security concerns, focus more on livelihoods, food security and rural development and bolster its ranks with increased representation from the region," concluded Coates.
Download the report Bridging the Gap (PDF 2.4mb)
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Scars and Stars
Willie Bugotu
Pape'ete
Dr Jimmie Rodgers head of SPC today sets the scene for the first Youth Pacific Festival in Pape'ete Tahiti. In his statement today to about one thousand plus youths from 28 different countries; he said that, youth focus should be now on a futuristic approach; that is youths ought to be seen as stars for our future; he cautioned that the Pacific Community will be a place of more challenges once the one quarter of a million addition in population each year doubles in twenty years time; this period will be witnessed by alot of us today.
The Solomon Islands Delegation consist of three males; four females; an a govt official. The Solomon Islands Youth delegation will be heading a workshop on Friday sat in Solomons on the Governance in the region; specific points will be on RAMSI; youths in decision making and the experience of the national general elections and clean election campaign
Pape'ete
Dr Jimmie Rodgers head of SPC today sets the scene for the first Youth Pacific Festival in Pape'ete Tahiti. In his statement today to about one thousand plus youths from 28 different countries; he said that, youth focus should be now on a futuristic approach; that is youths ought to be seen as stars for our future; he cautioned that the Pacific Community will be a place of more challenges once the one quarter of a million addition in population each year doubles in twenty years time; this period will be witnessed by alot of us today.
The Solomon Islands Delegation consist of three males; four females; an a govt official. The Solomon Islands Youth delegation will be heading a workshop on Friday sat in Solomons on the Governance in the region; specific points will be on RAMSI; youths in decision making and the experience of the national general elections and clean election campaign
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Island Business - Solomon Islands: FIRST --PM WANTS RAMSI TO CONCEDE SOME CONTROL
And first to go: Australian police chief
Samisoni Pareti
Solomon Islands’ police chief, Shane Castle, will be the first to go if the new Solomon Islands Prime Minister Mannaseh Sogavare has his way.
The Fiji and New Zealand educated tax auditor believes the Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) shouldn’t have its own police chief as opposed to the commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP) Force. READ MORE
Samisoni Pareti
Solomon Islands’ police chief, Shane Castle, will be the first to go if the new Solomon Islands Prime Minister Mannaseh Sogavare has his way.
The Fiji and New Zealand educated tax auditor believes the Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) shouldn’t have its own police chief as opposed to the commissioner of the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP) Force. READ MORE
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Dr. John Roughan for Secretary to PM: Bad move!
Phil Tagini
Monash University, Melbourne
Instinct tells us that the move by Honorable Prime Minister to appoint Dr. John Roughan as Secretary to PM is good but despite its appearance, it is a bad move.
By appointing Dr. John Roughan as secretary to PM, the government losses, Dr. John Roughan losses and we all lose. Who says instincts can be trusted?
Philip Tagini is a
PhD Candidate
Minerals Law and Policy
Monash University
Monash University, Melbourne
Instinct tells us that the move by Honorable Prime Minister to appoint Dr. John Roughan as Secretary to PM is good but despite its appearance, it is a bad move.
- The government by appointing Dr. Roughan has effectively removed a very staunch critique of its policies. The part played by Dr. Roughan as ‘keeper of conscience’ cannot be replaced by any other individual. Neither the parliamentary opposition, nor the SIDT has the boldness to speak out on social issues the way Dr. Roughan has done in the last 20 years. The government is doing itself a disfavor.
- Heading an NGO is an entirely different role to heading the Government’s chief ministry – the PM’s office with the myriad of responsibilities, demands by subordinates and the public and required skill sets. Dr. Roughan has experience and wisdom, but would he cope with the demands of public life? Believe it or not, the government would have to retrain Dr. Roughan for the demands of government life.
- Contrary to what many believe, the problems we faced in the last 28 years have little to do with poor leaders but more to do with the poor environment within which leaders operate. In order to have effective leaders, the environment in which they operate must be conducive. Having people the caliber of Dr. Roughan without changing the relevant structures does not promise much hope.
- Dr. Roughan is also putting his credibility and history of independence at stake by taking up a four year contract with the government. Whilst, he may continue to write his columns, it would be hard to imagine how credible his writings on social issues would be when he is on government payroll.
- As a leader in civil society and social commentator, the efficacy of his role cannot be questioned. On the other hand, any such efficacy in implementation of government policy cannot be guaranteed.
By appointing Dr. John Roughan as secretary to PM, the government losses, Dr. John Roughan losses and we all lose. Who says instincts can be trusted?
Philip Tagini is a
PhD Candidate
Minerals Law and Policy
Monash University
Thursday, May 25, 2006
‘RAMSI Tuesday’ Wasn’t To Do With Intelligence Failure
By: Mike Wheatley
Wednesday 24 May 2006
Supyire Proverb: ‘The stranger’s eyes are wide open, but he does not see anything’
On Tuesday, 18 April 2006, the democratically elected Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands was stoned by an angry mob on the steps of Parliament, tear gas was tossed around, a large chunk of the national capital, Honiara, was burnt to the ground, livelihoods were lost and lives seriously threatened.
How can such a thing happen on RAMSI’s watch — with the region’s pocket superpower, Australia, in charge? Where’s the stench of burning reputations to match the stench of burning Chinese stores? READ MORE
Wednesday 24 May 2006
Supyire Proverb: ‘The stranger’s eyes are wide open, but he does not see anything’
On Tuesday, 18 April 2006, the democratically elected Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands was stoned by an angry mob on the steps of Parliament, tear gas was tossed around, a large chunk of the national capital, Honiara, was burnt to the ground, livelihoods were lost and lives seriously threatened.
How can such a thing happen on RAMSI’s watch — with the region’s pocket superpower, Australia, in charge? Where’s the stench of burning reputations to match the stench of burning Chinese stores? READ MORE
Sunday, May 07, 2006
PRIME MINISTER CRITICAL OF AUSTRALIA'S COMMENTS ON THE COMPOSITION OF HIS CABINET.
18:15 hrs
07 May 2006
Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare has described the critical comments leveled against his appointment of two Parliamentarians in police custody as Cabinet Ministers as a serious act of interference with the domestic affairs of Solomon Islands.
Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare has described the critical comments leveled against his appointment of two Parliamentarians in police custody as Cabinet Ministers as a serious act of interference with the domestic affairs of Solomon Islands.
In a press statement, Mr Sogavare refers to criticisms of his action by Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer as a breach of the Vienna Convention which governs diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Mr Sogavare says the Convention also forms part of Solomon Islands law which governs diplomatic privileges and the Immunities Act of 1978.
Mr Downer criticised the appointment of east Honiara MP Charles Dausabea as Minister for Police and National Security and Central Honiara MP Nelson Ne'e as Minister for Culture and Tourism.
Both men are being held in police custody and will appear in court this week on charges relating to acts of violence, looting and destruction in the capital Honiara two weeks ago.
The Australian Foreign Affairs Minister described the appointments as a disgrace, demeaning the integrity of Solomon Islands locally and internationally.
But Mr Sogavare defends his Government's action saying both Mr Dausabea and Mr Ne'e are still innocent until proven guilty in court.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Solomon Islands PM Resigns
Tuesday morning in Honiara is th moment of motion of no confidence , whenes members of parliament enter this morning 3 members from the ruling party crossed over to the opposition side. Patterson Oti then says they have the number. Speaker dismiss parliament for 15mins. Parliament in session again after 15mins 4 more members of the ruling government crossed over making a total of 7 members. This entire event is before 10am Wednesday morning. Oti then stated that they now have the number and asked PM to humbly resign. There is a 3 mins silence from the PM . who is stunned and does not see this coming, since he made very confident sppech about the failure of the motion of no confidence yesterday…so for now the possibility of resignation of PM is looming…and there looks to be another election for a PM.
Personal comments: if you look closely at those members crossing over to the opposition they are mainly the same group who have caused the imbalance during last passed weeks PM election. These are mostly Sogavare groups. It is sad because if that group would’ve only stick to their original party the problem that we have witnessed last week in Honiara regarding violent rioting and looting would not have happened. It is clear now that to become a meneber of the parliament is becoming a commodity for power…..
By Natalina Hong
Honiara
##################
The motion of no confidence this morning in parliament against the newly
coalition government has been progress as the Opposition has won the
Motion of No Confidence. The MP for Temotu Nende - Patteson Oti moved
the Motion of No Confidence as the opposition has the number of 27-20
and request the PM to resign on condition of majority. Four government
MP's has walked across to the opposition this morning. The PM announced
his resignation on the floors of parliament this morning for the
interest and progress of development in Solomon Islands. What a one
week old government in the history of SI?
No announcement of new coalition government as parliament has been
adjourned until 9.30am tomorrow morning.
I think that is all for now. Have a nice day.
Rex Tara
Personal comments: if you look closely at those members crossing over to the opposition they are mainly the same group who have caused the imbalance during last passed weeks PM election. These are mostly Sogavare groups. It is sad because if that group would’ve only stick to their original party the problem that we have witnessed last week in Honiara regarding violent rioting and looting would not have happened. It is clear now that to become a meneber of the parliament is becoming a commodity for power…..
By Natalina Hong
Honiara
##################
The motion of no confidence this morning in parliament against the newly
coalition government has been progress as the Opposition has won the
Motion of No Confidence. The MP for Temotu Nende - Patteson Oti moved
the Motion of No Confidence as the opposition has the number of 27-20
and request the PM to resign on condition of majority. Four government
MP's has walked across to the opposition this morning. The PM announced
his resignation on the floors of parliament this morning for the
interest and progress of development in Solomon Islands. What a one
week old government in the history of SI?
No announcement of new coalition government as parliament has been
adjourned until 9.30am tomorrow morning.
I think that is all for now. Have a nice day.
Rex Tara
Friday, April 21, 2006
NEW CABINET OF PRIME MINISTER RINI
PMC-(Honiara)Prime Minister, Hon. Snyder Rini announced his new Cabinet this afternoon. The Ministers are expected to be sworn in during this weekend.(Click on News Title Above to See)
SEEKING ANSWERS IN THE ASHES OF HONIARA
By Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka
HONOLULU (Pacific Islands Report, April 20) - The Solomon Islands national capital, Honiara, woke up on Wednesday 19th April, 2006 to the smoldering remains of the previous day’s impromptu protest that left much of China Town burned to the ground, shops looted, vehicles torched, about twenty police officers injured, and a newly elected Prime Minister in hiding.
That morning the sky opened its gut and sprinkled rain as though to cool the anger that led to the mayhem. In some places, however, the flames flared on in defiance, eating away the old wooden structures that were once part of a bustling shopping district. In other places, like Ranadi and the Kukum seafront, the looting and destruction continued.
Like the defiant flames at China Town, the memories of what happened on 18th April 2006 and the reasons behind this violent protest will not go away easily.
It was the first destruction of its kind ever seen in Honiara. During the social unrests in 1998–2003 the capital city was not destroyed in this manner. Even the riot of 1989 was nothing compared to what happened on Tuesday.
Why did this happen? What created so much anger? What should be done to cool people’s anger and prevent such things from happening again?
Even before the first fires were lit on the streets of Honiara, international commentators and spin doctors were quick to draw connections between this protest and rioting to the social unrests of 1998–2003 that led to the deployment of the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
However, what happened in Honiara on Tuesday cannot be explained in terms of the social unrest alone. In fact, it had little to do with the social unrest and more with what people perceived as the corruption of the democratic process.
In particular, the protest (that later led to rioting and looting) highlights concerns about the process of selecting a prime minister, and how ‘business interests’ allegedly influenced the formation of governments.
Further, it raises broader issues about the role of political parties in Solomon Islands politics, and questions assumptions about the Westminster parliamentary system and its ability to create a representative government.
As you would have learned from the media reports, Snyder Rini received a cold reception on Tuesday when he was declared as Solomon Islands’ new Prime Minister.
For the hundreds of people who gathered outside the National Parliament Building at Vavaya Ridge, Rini represented the ‘old guard’; the same group that Allan Kemakeza led in the previous parliament and who, in the eyes of many Solomon Islanders, failed miserably on the credibility scale. Rini was Kemakeza’s deputy in that government.
When Solomon Islanders turned up in large numbers to cast their votes in the 5th April 2006 general election, there was widespread hope that parliament would elect a new government that would steer the country away from the path it had followed in the last twenty-seven years of independence.
That hope slipped away through the cracks of the parliamentary process when it was announced on Tuesday that the members of parliament had elected Rini as Prime Minister.
If the desire of many Solomon Islanders was for a new government, then how did Rini manage to win the contest for the Prime Minister position and bring back into power the ‘old guard’?
To answer this question one needs to understand the weakness of party systems, the fluidity of political alliances, and the process of selecting a Prime Minister in Solomon Islands.
In the absence of a strong party system, voters tend to vote for individuals rather than political parties. These individuals, after being elected into parliament, form political alliances and then compete to capture the Prime Minister position and subsequently form government.
The country’s constitution provides a fourteen-day-period period between the date of the general election and the selection of the Prime Minister. During this period, aspiring candidates for Prime Minister lobby intensely to acquire the numbers needed to win the contest and form the government.
Most Solomon Islanders have no control over this process and become spectators in a process that assumes that their respective members of parliament have their interests at heart.
Past experiences have shown, however, that in many cases the constituents did not usually influence the choice of Prime Minister and the political alliances that were formed.
Rather, there have been allegations that powerful businessmen – mostly Chinese, or waku as they are known in Solomon Islands – pay large sums of money to Members of Parliament in order to ensure that any government that was formed served their interests.
In last yesterday’s election for Prime Minister there were three candidates who tussled to win the allegiances of the fifty members of parliament. They were Job Dudley Tausinga who was nominated by the Grand Coalition, Snyder Rini nominated by the Association of Independent Members of Parliament (IMP) and Peoples Alliance Party (PAP) coalition, and Manasseh Sogavare who led the Social Credit Party.
Despite claims by the three groups that they had the numbers to form the government, no one could be certain until the voting took place.
But, it was Sogavare who tipped the number scales towards Snyder Rini’s camp. After losing the nomination for the Prime Minister candidacy to Tausinga, he deserted the Grand Coalition, pulled a couple of Members of Parliament with him and formed his own group.
There were allegations that he was bankrolled by some Asian logging companies and prominent businessmen like Bobo Dettki and Robert Goh who were concerned that a Tausinga-led government would not serve their interests.
Rini, on the other hand had the support of Tommy Chan, a wealthy ethnic Chinese businessman who is also the president of the Association of Independent Members of Parliament (AIMP) and who owns the Honiara Hotel where the AIMP/PAP group camped in the lead up to the election of the Prime Minister.
Because of these connections it has been alleged that some members of parliament deserted the Grand Coalition after having been offered, or paid large sums of money by those with deep pockets and connections in the shady corridors of Solomon Islands business world. Former Prime Minister, Francis Billy Hilly, for instance, claims that some parliamentarians were offered between SI$30,000 and SI$50,000 to abandon the Grand Coalition. This, of course, has not been verified.
The protest against Rini’s election as Prime Minister was, therefore, a result of widespread public perceptions that Asian – especially Chinese – businessmen bribed Members of Parliament into supporting Rini and the ‘old guard’ who served their interests.
Rini’s history of close relationship with these businessmen did not help. When he was Minister for Finance, for example, he gave many of them tax exemptions that cost Solomon Islands millions of dollars in potential revenue.
The sad thing, however, is that the media tends to refer to Asians and Chinese in a very general and inclusive manner that does not do justice to the fact that many Solomon Islander Chinese have little to do with politics. Unfortunately, they too suffered in the rioting and looting and have lost properties.
Many of the Chinese who owned shops at China Town are descendants of those who came to Solomon Islands during the colonial days as laborers, cooks, laundry boys, etc. for the British administrators and plantation owners. Over the years they worked hard to build the retail stores and the other businesses they owned. It is sad and shameful to see all that go up in flame.
It must also be noted that while the protest was politically motivated, there was also a certain degree of opportunism in the rioting and looting that followed. Many people were there simply to loot and destroy and did not have any political agendas.
Given all that has happened the question then is: What should Solomon Islanders do to calm the anger and ensure that this does not happen again?
In reaction Australia has sent in 110 troops and 70 Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers to assist the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP) and RAMSI personnel who are already on the ground in restoring law and order. It has been reported that they are already having an impact.
In the meantime there were calls for the Prime Minister-elect to resign. A group calling itself ‘Peoples Power’ delivered a petition to the Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena, demanding Rini to resigns. Rini has, however, refused to do so and was sworn in yesterday.
While the Australian troops and police are welcomed and the call for Rini’s resignation is understandable, much more must be done to resolve – rather than suppress – the issues and problems that underlie the protest.
I have two suggestions: one short-term and the other longer-term. In the short term, I suggest that the Prime Minister-elect should not resign. Instead, he should be allowed to form a government, and then, if people want, they could use the constitutional processes to oust him from office.
Let a government be formed and then give members of parliament about two weeks in which to consult their respective constituents on the matter. People who do not want Rini to be Prime Minister should make their case with their respective Member of Parliament and demand that he vote for the candidate of their choice. After all it was the Members of Parliament who elected Rini – they should therefore be held accountable by their constituents.
After two weeks, an extra-ordinary meeting of Parliament should be called on which a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister could be moved. If it goes through then a new Prime Minister could be elected.
The reason why I am suggesting this is because of my concern that by forcing the Prime Minister-elect to resign, a dangerous precedent would be set. It means that in the future if people do not like the Prime Minister, they could force him (or her) to resign by protesting, rioting, looting and burning the city. However much one might not want Rini to be Prime Minister, forcing him to resign under duress would set a dangerous precedent. It was done in May 2000 when the MEF forced Bartholomew Ulufa’alu to resign. I do not think it is wise to continue down that path.
Some might argue that it is ‘people power’ that demands the Prime Minister-elect to resign. That, however, raises other questions: Which people? Do Honiara residents, who make up for less than 80% of the country’s population have the right to claim that they represent the entire country? Does a petition signed by a few hundred people represent Solomon Islands?
In the longer-term there is a need to establish statutory regulations that would facilitate the development of political parties, regulate the conduct of politicians, and ensure that the process of selecting the Prime Minister is transparent.
On the issue of party developments and their participation in the political process, perhaps Solomon Islands could learn from neighboring countries Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
In Fiji, attempts to stop ‘party hopping’ has led to regulations (in the 1997 Constitution) that punish those who switch parties after being elected – they lose their seat in parliament. In PNG a more elaborate set of rules is contained in the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates. There, the attempt is to, not only facilitate the development of political parties, but also regulate how they participate in the political process and the conduct of their members.
Similarly, in Thailand and Indonesia, in an attempt to ensure that parties are democratically organized and develop institutional structures, statutory regulations were introduced that require parties to demonstrate certain level of institutional development before they could participate in elections. This also helped reduce the number of parties.
I must note, however, that the development of parties and their effective and efficient participation in the governance process cannot be addressed by statutory reforms alone.
Parties are also influenced by the culture of the societies in which they operate. Voters’ perceptions of the role of parties and the nature of their relationship to members of parliament also influence how parties are organized and how politicians relate to parties.
What is obvious in the case of Solomon Islands is that there is a need for reforms that would ensure that the entire process of selecting people for parliament – from the general election to the selection of Prime Minister – is fair, free and transparent. The rules of engagement must also ensure that the process cannot easily be corrupted.
Unless these changes occur, getting into parliament, selecting a prime minister, forming governments, and doing good will continue to be a tricky business in Solomon Islands.
In the next few weeks, as we clean Honiara and sweep away the ashes, let us not forget the lessons that this event has offered us.
Dr. Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka is a Research Fellow at the East-West Center’s Pacific Islands Development Program, Honolulu, Hawai’i. He is a Solomon Islands citizen.
April 20, 2006
End/---
HONOLULU (Pacific Islands Report, April 20) - The Solomon Islands national capital, Honiara, woke up on Wednesday 19th April, 2006 to the smoldering remains of the previous day’s impromptu protest that left much of China Town burned to the ground, shops looted, vehicles torched, about twenty police officers injured, and a newly elected Prime Minister in hiding.
That morning the sky opened its gut and sprinkled rain as though to cool the anger that led to the mayhem. In some places, however, the flames flared on in defiance, eating away the old wooden structures that were once part of a bustling shopping district. In other places, like Ranadi and the Kukum seafront, the looting and destruction continued.
Like the defiant flames at China Town, the memories of what happened on 18th April 2006 and the reasons behind this violent protest will not go away easily.
It was the first destruction of its kind ever seen in Honiara. During the social unrests in 1998–2003 the capital city was not destroyed in this manner. Even the riot of 1989 was nothing compared to what happened on Tuesday.
Why did this happen? What created so much anger? What should be done to cool people’s anger and prevent such things from happening again?
Even before the first fires were lit on the streets of Honiara, international commentators and spin doctors were quick to draw connections between this protest and rioting to the social unrests of 1998–2003 that led to the deployment of the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).
However, what happened in Honiara on Tuesday cannot be explained in terms of the social unrest alone. In fact, it had little to do with the social unrest and more with what people perceived as the corruption of the democratic process.
In particular, the protest (that later led to rioting and looting) highlights concerns about the process of selecting a prime minister, and how ‘business interests’ allegedly influenced the formation of governments.
Further, it raises broader issues about the role of political parties in Solomon Islands politics, and questions assumptions about the Westminster parliamentary system and its ability to create a representative government.
As you would have learned from the media reports, Snyder Rini received a cold reception on Tuesday when he was declared as Solomon Islands’ new Prime Minister.
For the hundreds of people who gathered outside the National Parliament Building at Vavaya Ridge, Rini represented the ‘old guard’; the same group that Allan Kemakeza led in the previous parliament and who, in the eyes of many Solomon Islanders, failed miserably on the credibility scale. Rini was Kemakeza’s deputy in that government.
When Solomon Islanders turned up in large numbers to cast their votes in the 5th April 2006 general election, there was widespread hope that parliament would elect a new government that would steer the country away from the path it had followed in the last twenty-seven years of independence.
That hope slipped away through the cracks of the parliamentary process when it was announced on Tuesday that the members of parliament had elected Rini as Prime Minister.
If the desire of many Solomon Islanders was for a new government, then how did Rini manage to win the contest for the Prime Minister position and bring back into power the ‘old guard’?
To answer this question one needs to understand the weakness of party systems, the fluidity of political alliances, and the process of selecting a Prime Minister in Solomon Islands.
In the absence of a strong party system, voters tend to vote for individuals rather than political parties. These individuals, after being elected into parliament, form political alliances and then compete to capture the Prime Minister position and subsequently form government.
The country’s constitution provides a fourteen-day-period period between the date of the general election and the selection of the Prime Minister. During this period, aspiring candidates for Prime Minister lobby intensely to acquire the numbers needed to win the contest and form the government.
Most Solomon Islanders have no control over this process and become spectators in a process that assumes that their respective members of parliament have their interests at heart.
Past experiences have shown, however, that in many cases the constituents did not usually influence the choice of Prime Minister and the political alliances that were formed.
Rather, there have been allegations that powerful businessmen – mostly Chinese, or waku as they are known in Solomon Islands – pay large sums of money to Members of Parliament in order to ensure that any government that was formed served their interests.
In last yesterday’s election for Prime Minister there were three candidates who tussled to win the allegiances of the fifty members of parliament. They were Job Dudley Tausinga who was nominated by the Grand Coalition, Snyder Rini nominated by the Association of Independent Members of Parliament (IMP) and Peoples Alliance Party (PAP) coalition, and Manasseh Sogavare who led the Social Credit Party.
Despite claims by the three groups that they had the numbers to form the government, no one could be certain until the voting took place.
But, it was Sogavare who tipped the number scales towards Snyder Rini’s camp. After losing the nomination for the Prime Minister candidacy to Tausinga, he deserted the Grand Coalition, pulled a couple of Members of Parliament with him and formed his own group.
There were allegations that he was bankrolled by some Asian logging companies and prominent businessmen like Bobo Dettki and Robert Goh who were concerned that a Tausinga-led government would not serve their interests.
Rini, on the other hand had the support of Tommy Chan, a wealthy ethnic Chinese businessman who is also the president of the Association of Independent Members of Parliament (AIMP) and who owns the Honiara Hotel where the AIMP/PAP group camped in the lead up to the election of the Prime Minister.
Because of these connections it has been alleged that some members of parliament deserted the Grand Coalition after having been offered, or paid large sums of money by those with deep pockets and connections in the shady corridors of Solomon Islands business world. Former Prime Minister, Francis Billy Hilly, for instance, claims that some parliamentarians were offered between SI$30,000 and SI$50,000 to abandon the Grand Coalition. This, of course, has not been verified.
The protest against Rini’s election as Prime Minister was, therefore, a result of widespread public perceptions that Asian – especially Chinese – businessmen bribed Members of Parliament into supporting Rini and the ‘old guard’ who served their interests.
Rini’s history of close relationship with these businessmen did not help. When he was Minister for Finance, for example, he gave many of them tax exemptions that cost Solomon Islands millions of dollars in potential revenue.
The sad thing, however, is that the media tends to refer to Asians and Chinese in a very general and inclusive manner that does not do justice to the fact that many Solomon Islander Chinese have little to do with politics. Unfortunately, they too suffered in the rioting and looting and have lost properties.
Many of the Chinese who owned shops at China Town are descendants of those who came to Solomon Islands during the colonial days as laborers, cooks, laundry boys, etc. for the British administrators and plantation owners. Over the years they worked hard to build the retail stores and the other businesses they owned. It is sad and shameful to see all that go up in flame.
It must also be noted that while the protest was politically motivated, there was also a certain degree of opportunism in the rioting and looting that followed. Many people were there simply to loot and destroy and did not have any political agendas.
Given all that has happened the question then is: What should Solomon Islanders do to calm the anger and ensure that this does not happen again?
In reaction Australia has sent in 110 troops and 70 Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers to assist the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP) and RAMSI personnel who are already on the ground in restoring law and order. It has been reported that they are already having an impact.
In the meantime there were calls for the Prime Minister-elect to resign. A group calling itself ‘Peoples Power’ delivered a petition to the Governor General, Sir Nathaniel Waena, demanding Rini to resigns. Rini has, however, refused to do so and was sworn in yesterday.
While the Australian troops and police are welcomed and the call for Rini’s resignation is understandable, much more must be done to resolve – rather than suppress – the issues and problems that underlie the protest.
I have two suggestions: one short-term and the other longer-term. In the short term, I suggest that the Prime Minister-elect should not resign. Instead, he should be allowed to form a government, and then, if people want, they could use the constitutional processes to oust him from office.
Let a government be formed and then give members of parliament about two weeks in which to consult their respective constituents on the matter. People who do not want Rini to be Prime Minister should make their case with their respective Member of Parliament and demand that he vote for the candidate of their choice. After all it was the Members of Parliament who elected Rini – they should therefore be held accountable by their constituents.
After two weeks, an extra-ordinary meeting of Parliament should be called on which a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister could be moved. If it goes through then a new Prime Minister could be elected.
The reason why I am suggesting this is because of my concern that by forcing the Prime Minister-elect to resign, a dangerous precedent would be set. It means that in the future if people do not like the Prime Minister, they could force him (or her) to resign by protesting, rioting, looting and burning the city. However much one might not want Rini to be Prime Minister, forcing him to resign under duress would set a dangerous precedent. It was done in May 2000 when the MEF forced Bartholomew Ulufa’alu to resign. I do not think it is wise to continue down that path.
Some might argue that it is ‘people power’ that demands the Prime Minister-elect to resign. That, however, raises other questions: Which people? Do Honiara residents, who make up for less than 80% of the country’s population have the right to claim that they represent the entire country? Does a petition signed by a few hundred people represent Solomon Islands?
In the longer-term there is a need to establish statutory regulations that would facilitate the development of political parties, regulate the conduct of politicians, and ensure that the process of selecting the Prime Minister is transparent.
On the issue of party developments and their participation in the political process, perhaps Solomon Islands could learn from neighboring countries Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
In Fiji, attempts to stop ‘party hopping’ has led to regulations (in the 1997 Constitution) that punish those who switch parties after being elected – they lose their seat in parliament. In PNG a more elaborate set of rules is contained in the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates. There, the attempt is to, not only facilitate the development of political parties, but also regulate how they participate in the political process and the conduct of their members.
Similarly, in Thailand and Indonesia, in an attempt to ensure that parties are democratically organized and develop institutional structures, statutory regulations were introduced that require parties to demonstrate certain level of institutional development before they could participate in elections. This also helped reduce the number of parties.
I must note, however, that the development of parties and their effective and efficient participation in the governance process cannot be addressed by statutory reforms alone.
Parties are also influenced by the culture of the societies in which they operate. Voters’ perceptions of the role of parties and the nature of their relationship to members of parliament also influence how parties are organized and how politicians relate to parties.
What is obvious in the case of Solomon Islands is that there is a need for reforms that would ensure that the entire process of selecting people for parliament – from the general election to the selection of Prime Minister – is fair, free and transparent. The rules of engagement must also ensure that the process cannot easily be corrupted.
Unless these changes occur, getting into parliament, selecting a prime minister, forming governments, and doing good will continue to be a tricky business in Solomon Islands.
In the next few weeks, as we clean Honiara and sweep away the ashes, let us not forget the lessons that this event has offered us.
Dr. Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka is a Research Fellow at the East-West Center’s Pacific Islands Development Program, Honolulu, Hawai’i. He is a Solomon Islands citizen.
April 20, 2006
End/---
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
CHINA TOWN BUSINESS HOUSES BURNT TO THE GROUND
A summary of the Riots in Honiara. By Tiu, Honiara.
Some buildings were burnt to the ground at China Town last night. At least five buildings are left standing.
Smoke still hangs over China Town following the burning down of buildings in the area last night.
It is estimated that more than ten buildings were burnt to the ground by rioters and looters.
As of this morning, fire is still coming from some buildings in China Town, as another building went up in flames at the Ranadi industrial area.
A number of RAMSI vehicles were also burnt last night.
There was power black out in the once bustling Chinatown of Honiara as a result of rioters and looters burning shops in that commercial area of the city last night
Rioters and looters moved from the Point Cruz area of the city to Chinatown as darkness fell.
Looters took off with whatever they could get their hands on filling up shopping bags with no resistance from owners who are mostly Chinese.
Last night the rioters took control of the China Town end of the old Bridge while Police were on the other end.
Solomon Islands only daily newspaper, the Solomon Star, which is located in the Chinatown area will not be published today as it has also been affected by the blackout.
There were several other roadblocks set up by Police around town.
Public transports are believed to have been grounded, and schools are making announcements of their closure today because of the situation.
People who need to travel to work on public transport will have to walk to their work places.
Some buildings were burnt to the ground at China Town last night. At least five buildings are left standing.
Smoke still hangs over China Town following the burning down of buildings in the area last night.
It is estimated that more than ten buildings were burnt to the ground by rioters and looters.
As of this morning, fire is still coming from some buildings in China Town, as another building went up in flames at the Ranadi industrial area.
A number of RAMSI vehicles were also burnt last night.
There was power black out in the once bustling Chinatown of Honiara as a result of rioters and looters burning shops in that commercial area of the city last night
Rioters and looters moved from the Point Cruz area of the city to Chinatown as darkness fell.
Looters took off with whatever they could get their hands on filling up shopping bags with no resistance from owners who are mostly Chinese.
Last night the rioters took control of the China Town end of the old Bridge while Police were on the other end.
Solomon Islands only daily newspaper, the Solomon Star, which is located in the Chinatown area will not be published today as it has also been affected by the blackout.
There were several other roadblocks set up by Police around town.
Public transports are believed to have been grounded, and schools are making announcements of their closure today because of the situation.
People who need to travel to work on public transport will have to walk to their work places.
Some Fotos from the Riots In Honiara
These are Photos of the aftermath of the Riot in Honiara. The shops in Chinatown have all left in ruins by the looters.Click photos to Enlarge
Submitted via Email Originally by G Beck
Submitted via Email Originally by G Beck
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
BREAKING NEWS! RIOT in the Capital of Solomon Islands
This is the peoples voice as the result of all other awareness and
things that seen everywhere that people demanded for leadership change.
As of this hour 5.39pm, hundreds of people now taken to the streets
demand the resignation of the newly elected PM. Police tried to calm
the crowd but they reply with stones and all other things within their
sight. Crowd now builds up at the City Centre Pharmacy whilst the
police stationed at the Point Cruz mobile station. Vehicles were not
able to go as the road has been block by the crowd and someone at the
central Police station whom I talked to said they did not even have the
protective shields as all of this has been taken away by RAMSI police.
They hardly stare at the crowd at a distance.
The public has demanded a change of leadership of PM to be effective by
Sunday 23rd April or forced the leadership style to take place.
WEDNESDAY 19th April, 2006:
Chinatown is more than you could imagine during the height of the ethnic
tension. All the shops from Green leaf to Hong Fa have been burnt to
ground. Only shops left at the moment is QQQ, ABBA, YTL, John Tom and
Sons Building, Steven & Sons, Marimba, Quan Chee, Save the Children,
SolLae, Bulaia Lodge, and shop next to it including new Chinatown shops
has been saved. All other buildings have been burnt completely to the
ground. All Chinese have been evacuated to Honiara Hotel and Rove
Police Hq. Women, men and children crowded into Chinatown taking things
from the shops as of yesterday afternoon to this morning before shops
were burnt down. It was really chaos in Chinatown at the moment. One
could imagine that police were present just to take a look around but
couldn't do anything.
By Rex Tara
Photo AFP
things that seen everywhere that people demanded for leadership change.
As of this hour 5.39pm, hundreds of people now taken to the streets
demand the resignation of the newly elected PM. Police tried to calm
the crowd but they reply with stones and all other things within their
sight. Crowd now builds up at the City Centre Pharmacy whilst the
police stationed at the Point Cruz mobile station. Vehicles were not
able to go as the road has been block by the crowd and someone at the
central Police station whom I talked to said they did not even have the
protective shields as all of this has been taken away by RAMSI police.
They hardly stare at the crowd at a distance.
The public has demanded a change of leadership of PM to be effective by
Sunday 23rd April or forced the leadership style to take place.
WEDNESDAY 19th April, 2006:
Chinatown is more than you could imagine during the height of the ethnic
tension. All the shops from Green leaf to Hong Fa have been burnt to
ground. Only shops left at the moment is QQQ, ABBA, YTL, John Tom and
Sons Building, Steven & Sons, Marimba, Quan Chee, Save the Children,
SolLae, Bulaia Lodge, and shop next to it including new Chinatown shops
has been saved. All other buildings have been burnt completely to the
ground. All Chinese have been evacuated to Honiara Hotel and Rove
Police Hq. Women, men and children crowded into Chinatown taking things
from the shops as of yesterday afternoon to this morning before shops
were burnt down. It was really chaos in Chinatown at the moment. One
could imagine that police were present just to take a look around but
couldn't do anything.
By Rex Tara
Photo AFP
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Live Unofficial Election Results
These are the Unofficial Election Results posted through our Biukili Forum by Somebody (MP), which is considered to be Live Update from Counting back home. You may cross check with the PFNET Link we have provided below for the Official Results. For your convinience: Also check these links for some Live Unofficial Results:
PFNET: National Election 2006 Update
NEWS BREAK ... NEWS BREAK ... NEWS BREAK
PROVISIONAL RESULTS
12:00pm (Solomon Islands time) - The Governor General H.E Sir Nathaniel Waena has officially declared Job Duddley Tausinga, the unopposed candidate, winner for North New Georgia constituency in the Western Province. Click on this link to Access PFNET's Official Election Results:National Election 2006 Update
PROVISIONAL RESULTS
12:00pm (Solomon Islands time) - The Governor General H.E Sir Nathaniel Waena has officially declared Job Duddley Tausinga, the unopposed candidate, winner for North New Georgia constituency in the Western Province. Click on this link to Access PFNET's Official Election Results:National Election 2006 Update
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
Reuters: Extraterrestial remains found on Menwith Hill RAF Base
This link was emailed to me by the Author himself Fraser Hay. It is an article worth reading something out of the scope, but that is relevant information for earthlings to take into consideration. Click on the title for more
S.I. Election Begins-BBC
People in the South Pacific nation of the Solomon Islands are voting in the first elections since a regional force restored peace in 2003.Click on link to read more
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Solomons mission worsens child sex
Dan Box
The Australian 22 March 2006
SOLDIERS, police and technical advisers sent from countries including
Australia to rebuild the war-torn Solomon Islands have fuelled a huge
increase in the country's child sex industry.
A series of harrowing interviews, documented in an unpublished UN report and
revealed in this week's Time magazine, detail how years of civil conflict
and poverty forced many Solomon's children to sell themselves for sex.
One church group in a remote area of the islands described how a local
family had been paid $US10,000 ($13,800) for their adopted daughter by a
foreign contractor working for the Regional Assistance Mission to the
Solomon Islands.
"The girl had been forced to leave school in the middle of Form 4," the
report said.
"There appears to be a considerable risk that the girl would be abandoned
when the purchaser moves on, as respondents believed he has done before."
Other Solomon Islanders said the influx of army, police and civilian workers
had contributed to an increase in prostitution among girls under 18.
"Other regular clients of prostitutes were said to include tourists,
expatriate workers, aid workers, timber workers and fishers," the report
said.
The report, commissioned by the UN Children's Fund, was completed in October
2004 but has never been publicly released.
UNICEF spokeswoman Shantha Bloeman said the document was due to be released
this year as part of a combined study on the commercial sexual exploitation
of children in five Pacific countries.
"UNICEF has been working with governments to develop national plans of
actions to put in place legislation, policies and enforcement mechanisms to
prevent child sexual exploitation and assist the potential victims," she
said.
Other examples of child sexual exploitation detailed in the report include
school girls who sold themselves to a taxi driver because they could not
afford to travel to school and families who sold their daughters to foreign
fishermen for fish.
The report suggests much of the Solomons' sex industry is driven by the
poverty that followed a civil conflict between 1999 and 2003, known as the
Troubles, which displaced about 35,000 people.
The Islands Government subsequently invited the combined RAMSI force, which
includes about 250 police officers, 120 civilians and a contingent of
military personnel from 11 Pacific countries, including Australia and New
Zealand, to help restore peace.
The Australian Government had allocated $840.6 million to RAMSI over four
years from 2005-06 at the time of the report's writing.
The force was due to stay until 2013.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that one member of the
Australian Defence Force serving in the Solomons had been found guilty of an
indecent act and subsequently suspended.
Submitted Via Email R.T, Oxfam Int'l.
The Australian 22 March 2006
SOLDIERS, police and technical advisers sent from countries including
Australia to rebuild the war-torn Solomon Islands have fuelled a huge
increase in the country's child sex industry.
A series of harrowing interviews, documented in an unpublished UN report and
revealed in this week's Time magazine, detail how years of civil conflict
and poverty forced many Solomon's children to sell themselves for sex.
One church group in a remote area of the islands described how a local
family had been paid $US10,000 ($13,800) for their adopted daughter by a
foreign contractor working for the Regional Assistance Mission to the
Solomon Islands.
"The girl had been forced to leave school in the middle of Form 4," the
report said.
"There appears to be a considerable risk that the girl would be abandoned
when the purchaser moves on, as respondents believed he has done before."
Other Solomon Islanders said the influx of army, police and civilian workers
had contributed to an increase in prostitution among girls under 18.
"Other regular clients of prostitutes were said to include tourists,
expatriate workers, aid workers, timber workers and fishers," the report
said.
The report, commissioned by the UN Children's Fund, was completed in October
2004 but has never been publicly released.
UNICEF spokeswoman Shantha Bloeman said the document was due to be released
this year as part of a combined study on the commercial sexual exploitation
of children in five Pacific countries.
"UNICEF has been working with governments to develop national plans of
actions to put in place legislation, policies and enforcement mechanisms to
prevent child sexual exploitation and assist the potential victims," she
said.
Other examples of child sexual exploitation detailed in the report include
school girls who sold themselves to a taxi driver because they could not
afford to travel to school and families who sold their daughters to foreign
fishermen for fish.
The report suggests much of the Solomons' sex industry is driven by the
poverty that followed a civil conflict between 1999 and 2003, known as the
Troubles, which displaced about 35,000 people.
The Islands Government subsequently invited the combined RAMSI force, which
includes about 250 police officers, 120 civilians and a contingent of
military personnel from 11 Pacific countries, including Australia and New
Zealand, to help restore peace.
The Australian Government had allocated $840.6 million to RAMSI over four
years from 2005-06 at the time of the report's writing.
The force was due to stay until 2013.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed that one member of the
Australian Defence Force serving in the Solomons had been found guilty of an
indecent act and subsequently suspended.
Submitted Via Email R.T, Oxfam Int'l.
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Youth representative in national election
People First | Thursday Mar 16
HONIARA, Solomon Islands - A young man will contest in East Honiara against veteran politicians in the coming national elections
HONIARA, Solomon Islands - A young man will contest in East Honiara against veteran politicians in the coming national elections
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Solomons influence works for Nasinu
Sunday March 12, 2006
Nasinu, with the influence of its imported Solomon players, thumped a young Nadroga side 5-1 in their Pepsi League encounter at Ratu Cakobau Park today.
It was the second biggest scoreline in the league competition. Ba holds the record after whipping Labasa 7-0 earlier on.
But Nasinu found the wet and soggy Ratu Cakobau Park to their advantage as they piled in goal after goal.
Nasinu led 3-0 at the break with goals coming in from Robert Mafane in the opening minute. His goal was by far the fastest to be scored in the Pepsi League competition.
Binesh Kumar put Nasinu up to two goals before Elrick Kiluwa's 12th minute sitter allowed them to take a comfortable 3-0 lead.
In the second spell, Kiluwa struck again to make it 4-0. Nadroga replied and pulled one back through Intiaz Hussein but Benjamin slotted in the last goal two minutes to full-time to make it 5-1.
Benjamin and Kiluwa join Navua's Ovini Duguca as the second top goalscorers in the competition. Ba's Josai Bukalidi scored a hat trick against Labasa and leads the board.
Nadroga manager Nazim Khan blamed the ground condition for their loss. He said the heavy underfoot from last night's rain was in Nasinu's favour because the southerners were used to playing in that condition. He said Nadroga had a new team and needed to improve.
Nasinu President Praveen Chand was happy with the performance of the islanders but said areas of concern were the central midfield and defence. Fijilive
Nasinu's Solomon Islands import Robert Ma'fani tries to beat the Nadroga goalie in their 5-1 win during their Pepsi League fixture at Ratu Cakobau Park.
UB40 Rocks Suva - Fiji
Here are some images taken during the UB40 "Who You Fighting For" World Tour to Fiji, at the FMF Dome on the 10th of March 2006. There was a capacity crowd of about 7000 fans, that includes students from Solomon Islands studying at USP. The band did two shows. Click Photos to Enlarge
Monday, March 06, 2006
World War 2 Relics-Solomon Islands
Some images of the remains of the Second World War on Guadalcanal, namely the Guadalcanal Campaign. More on this to come...
Photos courtesy of Phil Blade, Honiara,2006
Photos courtesy of Phil Blade, Honiara,2006
Sunday, February 26, 2006
"Ontong Java" - The Lord Howe Island: Solomons hidden Paradise
Ontong Java also known as Lord Howe Atoll, is a 50km attractive boot-shaped atoll made up of 122 islands lying just south of the equator and 258km north of Santa Isabel. Approximately 57km long and 50km wide with a total population of 3000+ Polynesian inhabitants, Ontong Java is the largest lagoon in the Solomon Sea, and is the country's northernmost point.
The total land area is only a minute 12 sq km with the widest stretch of dry ground on the islands of Luaniua (population 1300) and Pelau (400 people) measuring only one km, while the average breadth of many of its islands is only a third of this. No island is higher than 13m above sea level with most islands barely one to three meters high and composed mostly of coral debris.
Apart from the two main villages of Luaniua and Pelau, few other islands have temporary shelters where a small number of about 50 people now live almost permanently, and where there are fine beaches, good coral and plenty of fish throughout the lagoon. The two populated islands consist of freshwater swamps where natural depressions have been artificially deepened for mulching pits to cultivate taro crops, a staple diet on the atoll.
Coastal areas consist of narrow strips of coconut palms and scrub, mainly on the ocean side. Annual consumption of coconuts by the atoll's inhabitants is estimated to be around 600000 nuts annually which averages about one coconut per person per day.
Besides collecting beche-de-mer and trochus shells for the Hong Kong market, the people of Ontong Java often exchange with copra for goods at the only two small stores on Luaniua and Pelau. Houses are built flush to the ground with a network of poles forming the frame with the roof thatched with pandanus leaves.
Pottery dating back 2000 years has been discovered on the atoll and studies into the atolls language suggest it is related to both the Samoan and Tongan tongues. Believed to have separated from its mother tongue, their language passed in about 300 AD through Tokelau or Tuvalu before reaching the atoll from there.
In 1616 Dutch adventurers Le Marie and Schouten may have sighted Pelau and its adjacent islets. But it was Abel Tasman who in March 1643 first sighted the atoll, and believing his sighting was the precursor of good fortune called the group Ontong Java.
Yachts and ships can use one of the 23 passages through the reef to enter the atoll. To the south is Ke Avaiko Passage leading to the main anchorage at Luaniua.
Photos and Story by Rex Tara, 2006.
The total land area is only a minute 12 sq km with the widest stretch of dry ground on the islands of Luaniua (population 1300) and Pelau (400 people) measuring only one km, while the average breadth of many of its islands is only a third of this. No island is higher than 13m above sea level with most islands barely one to three meters high and composed mostly of coral debris.
Apart from the two main villages of Luaniua and Pelau, few other islands have temporary shelters where a small number of about 50 people now live almost permanently, and where there are fine beaches, good coral and plenty of fish throughout the lagoon. The two populated islands consist of freshwater swamps where natural depressions have been artificially deepened for mulching pits to cultivate taro crops, a staple diet on the atoll.
Coastal areas consist of narrow strips of coconut palms and scrub, mainly on the ocean side. Annual consumption of coconuts by the atoll's inhabitants is estimated to be around 600000 nuts annually which averages about one coconut per person per day.
Besides collecting beche-de-mer and trochus shells for the Hong Kong market, the people of Ontong Java often exchange with copra for goods at the only two small stores on Luaniua and Pelau. Houses are built flush to the ground with a network of poles forming the frame with the roof thatched with pandanus leaves.
Pottery dating back 2000 years has been discovered on the atoll and studies into the atolls language suggest it is related to both the Samoan and Tongan tongues. Believed to have separated from its mother tongue, their language passed in about 300 AD through Tokelau or Tuvalu before reaching the atoll from there.
In 1616 Dutch adventurers Le Marie and Schouten may have sighted Pelau and its adjacent islets. But it was Abel Tasman who in March 1643 first sighted the atoll, and believing his sighting was the precursor of good fortune called the group Ontong Java.
Later in 1791, John Hunter became the first European to set foot on the atoll's soil and renamed it Lord Howe Atoll. Whalers and traders later followed and in the 1870s black birders in search of slaves began visiting the group.
IN 1893 Germany annexed the atoll but later ceded it to Britain in 1899.
Sea birds are prolific on Ontong Java, and some islanders keep frigate birds as free-flying pets. The black-naped tern is plentiful and is believed to breed only on this atoll. This medium-sized nearly all-white sea bird has a black line running from its eyes to the nape of its neck.
Megapode birds are plentiful and lay their eggs in self-built mulch mounds. Because of the people's traditional association with the megapode bird, they have flourished as the birds and their eggs are not eaten.
Ontong Java art consist of gaunt geometrically shaped female deity figures, which were a distinctive feature of the atoll's statue art. The lower part of the face was portrayed as an inverted triangle with straight lines to represent the eyebrows and nose. Some of these still exist. Graveposts are made from wood and coral rock and stylised with human faces.
Pearl shells are shaped to make fish-hooks, necklaces and nasal pendants and women use back-loom for weaving. Loincloths made on a loom are then dyed with tumeric.
In society and conduct, the Ontong Java people observe traditional customs in relation to marriage and property. The male line owns the coconut groves and does the fishing, while the female side maintains the taro plots and is prominent domestically.
Many men and women in Ontong Java are tattooed with the forehead decorated with marine or geometrical designs in childhood, which are later extended to other parts of the body. Some tattoo designs are in the shape of a hook used for catching oil fish which is local delicacy.
Yachts and ships can use one of the 23 passages through the reef to enter the atoll. To the south is Ke Avaiko Passage leading to the main anchorage at Luaniua.
Photos and Story by Rex Tara, 2006.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
The Lord Howe Island: Solomons hidden Paradise
These are truly some remarkable photos of Lord Howe Islands in the Solomon Islands Archipelago. These islands known as the Malaita Outer Islands are in the Malaita Province and are home to people with Polynesian origin. It can be rightfully said the hidden paradise of Solomon Islands. More stories to come...(Click Photos to enlarge)
Photos courtesy of Rex Tara, Feb.2006
Photos courtesy of Rex Tara, Feb.2006
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