Frigate sails to Solomons peace talks

The Navy frigate Te Kaha is being sent to the Solomon Islands to serve as a venue for peace talks.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said the deployment was part of the Government's commitment to be an active participant in peacekeeping efforts.

Te Kaha, which is exercising with the Australian Navy near Darwin, will arrive at Honiara on August 24.
It will be stationed there for at least two weeks, replacing the Australian supply ship Tobruk.

Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said: "We received a direct request from the Solomon Islands Government to have a New Zealand frigate in port to allow the peace talks to continue and also to ensure there was a neutral venue for the group monitoring the ceasefire."