TMCnet News
Meeting on Solomon Islands amid unrest(UPI Top Stories Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer will meet with the Solomon Islands' new prime minister in Honiara where looting and rioting have erupted. This week's appointment of Prime Minister Snyder Rini sparked riots and looting in the capital, The Age reported. The Australian government sent 220 Australian soldiers to Honiara to reinforce peacekeeping forces led by the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands. Downer says corruption will be high on his list of topics to discuss with Rini. The foreign minister said he also hopes to meet with members of the Solomon Islands' newly formed opposition, which has announced it will attempt to pass a motion of no confidence in Rini when Parliament resumes Monday. Downer said Australia was committed to working with whichever government is elected through democratic and parliamentary processes. The level of violence in the poverty-stricken community was unprecedented and there was no warning it would explode as it did, said Royal Solomon Islands Police Commissioner Shane Castles. |