Sogavare says leaders back him on Ramsi

Mannaseh Sogavare

NADI, Fiji - The Solomon Islands prime minister today claimed as a victory a decision by Pacific leaders to review the Australian-led Ramsi peace mission in his country.

The Pacific Islands Forum yesterday undertook to review the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Island (Ramsi).

The 16 members of the forum decided to leave Australia's lead role largely intact, instead agreeing to set up two mechanisms to monitor Ramsi's performance.

However, Solomons Prime Minister Mannaseh Sogavare - who had sought to reduce Australia's role in Ramsi- said he was pleased with the outcome and claimed his five-point plan had been adopted.

"It was on the basis of that concern that the leaders decided to send a taskforce to the Solomon Islands," he told reporters in Nadi today.

"What I'm pleased about is that the review agenda should be dictated by the Solomons Islands government."

A communique issued by the leaders yesterday made no mention of changing Australia's leadership role in Ramsi.

Sogavare yesterday told Pacific leaders that his five-point plan would "restore the regional character" of Ramsi, sent to the Solomons in July 2003 to restore law and order and economic stability to the troubled nation.

It would also make a clear demarcation between the mission and Australia, Sogavare said.

The plan also seeks an independent review of Ramsi and calls for a forum ministerial team to oversee its operations.

Papua New Guinea prime minister Sir Michael Somare also said he was happy with the decision to review Ramsi.

The PNG leader had supported Manasseh Sogavare.

"We've expressed our views on how we feel, it's been included in the communique," Somare told reporters in Nadi.

He echoed Sogavare's satisfaction with the review process.

"I supported the suggestion and it has been accepted by forum so we're all happy," Somare said.

"There are things that we have to give and take and I think he's quite happy with what's happened."

Sogavare last week suggested there was reason to believe Ramsi was acting in Australia's interests and threatened to force the mission out of his country.

The threat followed a stoush with Canberra over its attempt to extradite would-be Solomons Attorney-General Julian Moti to Australia to face child-sex charges.

Papua New Guinea prime minister Sir Michael Somare did not call the result a victory over Australia, of whom he has been a strident critic during the forum.

"That's not a slap in the face (for Australia).

"We are participants, it's a forum issue and if the forum is not happy with certain things, forum has the right to do so."

Somare ruled out holding any talks with Mr Howard before the forum meeting ends today.

Australia has suspended ministerial contacts with PNG over the Julian Moti affair.

"I've been banned from your country and I'm not prepared to talk to you people," Somare said.

The ban followed Australian Moti's clandestine flight from PNG to the Solomons on a military plane.

The affair threatened to derail both Ramsi and the annual forum meeting of Pacific leaders.

- AAP / NZHERALD STAFF