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Country boycotts Forum summit in Tonga

In a letter to the prime minister of Tonga, Sogavare also accused Australia and other foreign agents of running a misleading and insulting media campaign against his government.

RNZI/ Pacnews

Mon, 15 Oct 2007

HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS ---- Solomon Islands is boycotting the Pacific Islands Forum leaders’ summit, which starts in Tonga tomorrow

Solomon Islands Prime Minster, Manasseh Sogavare says his government has decided not to take part because it doesn’t want controversy over the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission (RAMSI), to overshadow other important matters on the agenda.

He said his government was insulted by what he called Canberra’s ongoing pressure on Forum members to oppose the Solomons over the issue.

In a letter to the prime minister of Tonga, he also accused Australia and other foreign agents of running a misleading and insulting media campaign against his government.

Australia’s foreign minister has accused Solomons politicians of trying to destroy RAMSI, while the Solomon Islands government claims Canberra was hindering the country’s efforts to reclaim its sovereignty and independence.

Mr Sogavare is currently in Taiwan. Solomon Islands is sending its foreign minister and its planning minister to the post-forum dialogue which starts on Wednesday.

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