Amicable relations with Australia

Evan Wasuka/ islandsbusiness.com exclusive
After two years of tiresome controversies and diplomatic confrontations, Solomon Islanders are hoping the new prime minister, Dr Derek Sikua, will provide the political stability the nation so badly needs.

Sikua and his cabinet now have the task of rebuilding Solomon Islands' shattered diplomatic ties with Australia, regional neighbours, the Regional Assistance Mission (RAMSI) and restore credibility to an office tainted by the appointment of Australian child sex fugitive Julian Moti as the nation's highest legal officer.

Sikua, 48, an academic with a doctorate in philosophy was among nine government ministers and three government backbenchers that deserted Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare in November, after factions within the grand coalition for change government pressured the prime minister to then finance minister Gordon Darcy Lilo.

By then many MPs had enough of Sogavare's running standoff with Australia, his decision to boycott the all important Pacific Islands Forum meeting and the growing influence of attorney-general Julian Moti in government business.

So when it came time to jump ship it was Sogavare's most senior and most qualified ministers who deserted him. Whereas it was former finance minister Lilo and former minister Steve Abana were the power brokers it was Dr Sikua that was chosen as the figurehead - to replace Sogavare. A man who was deemed beyond the political controversies that dogged most politicians, and someone acceptable enough for Opposition leader Fred Fono to welcome with open arms, even relinquish his own candidacy for prime ministership.

Support for Sikua saw him sail into prime minister's office in a landslide victory winning the vote of 32 out of the 47 members of parliament. Caretaker deputy prime minister Patteson Oti could only manage 15 votes with
seven MPs deserting him on the floor. But right from the start it was clear that Oti had little chance with Sogavare's baggage already hanging over his head before a single vote had been cast.

For the caretaker government, its downfall was sealed a week earlier and it came by three votes in a no confidence motion, which came at the hand of a number of jumpy politicians who proved easy prey for political lobbyists. Even to the ridiculous point where a handful of members crossed the floor between the opposition and government at least four times. One MP Johnson Koli managed to jump an incomprehensible five times with his final leap into the opposition camp sealing Sogavare's fate.

So with Sikua in office, what does it mean for Solomon Islands? Sikua's ascension has released the boiler pressure on Solomon Islands contentious relationship, under the Sogavare government with Australia.
With a regime change in Honiara and in Canberra, political observers are anticipating a more amicable relations with one of Solomon Islands' largest development partners.

One of Sikua's first tasks will be to soothe the ruffled feathers of Pacific neighbours put off by Sogavare's boycott of the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Tonga last year.

"As soon as we're ready, I would like to see myself paying a visit to Papua New Guinea first, then Canberra, then onto Wellington. I would like to make a call on the Forum chair and the forum secretariat in Suva," said Sikua in
his first press conference.

As for the future of Sogavare's personal friend and attorney-general, Moti, he is as good as gone.

"Moti an Australian citizen will be sent back to Australia," said the new prime minister.

Moti who is wanted on child sex charges in his country of adoption is likely to be out of the country within the new regime's first week in power - with the departure date resting on the appointment of an immigration minister.
Instruments need to be signed, Sikua told reporters, although reluctant to say how Moti would be repatriated. But indications are that the Australian citizen will be deported-a move that will win the support of Australia, the local civil society groups who have campaigned hard against Moti, as well as the public who have watched Moti's ascension to power over the past year in amazement.

Also on the firing line is Police Commissioner, Fijian Jahir Khan. His appointment will come under review - but already the signs are he will go. Khan's appointment stirred public controversy when Sogavare steamrolled
his appointment in early 2007.

When Moti goes - Khan is likely to follow suit.

While Sogavare's administration has continuously clashed with RAMSI, Sikua is adamant his government will work with the intervention mission. "We will provide leadership that will work closely with RAMSI...we can be
trusted with RAMSI," Sikua said.