Secret talks for Solomons militia

HONIARA - Leaders of warring Solomon Islands militia have held secret peace talks described by one militia leader as "productive" and likely to lead to further meetings to discuss a ceasefire.

"I cannot reveal the contents of the talks but I can tell you it was very productive, very good," said Malaita Eagles Force leader Andrew Nori.

The meeting was the first between the warring groups since the Malaita Eagles took over the capital Honiara on June 5 and seized Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu. He was later forced to resign.

The secret talks, mediated by Solomons church leaders, were held on the landing barge of the Australian Navy ship HMAS Tobruk just off the coast of Guadalcanal Island.

"There was a lot of exchange of information," said Nori of his talks with Henry Tobani, an environmental scientist who is the spokesman for the rival militia Isatabu Freedom Movement.

"We want to build on this meeting and hold another meeting next week," Nori said, adding that a meeting tomorrow would discuss a ceasefire.

Ethnic tension in the Solomons has been simmering for two years with rival groups struggling for dominance on Guadalcanal, the main island where Honiara is located.

Guadalcanal islanders are resentful of Malaita islanders moving to the capital and taking top jobs and land.

Up to 60 people have been killed in fighting between militia in the past 18 months. But the ethnic unrest exploded on June 5 when the Malaita Eagles seized Honiara, sparking fierce jungle fighting and evacuation of expatriates.

The Malaita Eagles have since relinquished control of the capital to police. Both militia are demanding compensation for lost land and property damaged in the fighting.

Ulufa'alu yesterday called on the two militia to guarantee the security of MPs when they vote for a new prime minister next Wednesday.

"This is very important because unless there is a guarantee that the MPs will be safe, what guarantee is there that we won't be taken hostage like what happened in Fiji," Ulufa'alu said.

"Unless there is a neutral force, there will never be any guarantee. Members of my Government and even some from the Opposition might not be willing to attend the meeting if there is no guarantee of security."

- REUTERS