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Solomon Islands PM says riots won't force him out

Posted on: Friday, 21 April 2006, 03:21 CDT

By Michelle Nichols

HONIARA (Reuters) - Solomon Islands Prime Minister Snyder Rini vowed on Friday to survive current political unrest and, as foreign troops patrolled a smoldering capital, called on investors to help rebuild his troubled South Pacific nation.

Calm returned to the streets of Honiara after two days of violence sparked by Rini's election, but peacekeepers prepared for fresh outbreaks of rioting after Rini made his first public appearance since being secretly sworn in on Thursday.

"I was elected through a democratic process," said Rini at a news conference in the capital of the Solomons, a chain of 992 islands, many uninhabited.

"My government welcomes any moves to unseat me through the same democratic and parliamentary process," said Rini, who has been in a secret location under Australian police protection.

Dozens of blackened buildings were still smoldering in Honiara, their tin roofs warped and collapsed. Damaged shops were abandoned, with refuse left by looters and obscene graffiti directed at Rini and Australian-led police operation.

Hundreds of Chinese targeted in the violence and forced from their homes, many of which burned to the ground, were sheltering inside Honiara's police headquarters.

"It's very horrible," said 27-year-old Winnie Mae, whose shop was burned down. "All my family came here so we would be safe. More than half of the people here want to go back to China, they are scared this will keep happening."

Beijing has urged the Solomons to protect its nationals and warned Chinese tourists not to visit the troubled nation.

Rini denied allegations that his government was corrupt or heavily influenced by local Chinese businessmen and the Taiwan government, which the Solomons recognizes diplomatically.

"I want to assure you that my government will do its utmost best to help out, give our meager resources to assist those that have been affected," Rini told reporters in a dilapidated cabinet room. More than 70 people have been arrested.

CALL FOR NEW GOVERNMENT

Solomons voters ousted half their parliament in an election in early April, the first poll since Australian-led peacekeepers restored law and order in 2003 after violent ethnic unrest.

But it wasn't enough to unseat the government. Former deputy prime minister Rini took over the top job and on Friday named 11 members of the previous government -- including nine former ministers -- to his 21-member cabinet.

Unlike the previous election in 2001, marred by armed gangs and reports of vote rigging, poll observers said this month's vote was free and fair. Corruption was the main issue after several ministers were charged with graft in the past year.

Rini said he was confident he had the numbers to defeat a motion of no confidence moved against him and expected to be voted on next Wednesday.

He said the riots did not reflect wider public opinion.

"What is happening here (in Honiara) is not happening in the provinces. Only about 10 percent of the population in the Solomon Islands is in Honiara," Rini said.

Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea have all committed more troops and police to the Solomons since the latest unrest, bring the foreign peacekeeping force to more than 640.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said he was determined to prevent small island nations in the region like the Solomons becoming failed states and possible havens for terrorism.

"The situation is still tense and there's still the potential for further trouble," Howard told Australian radio.

He said more needed to be done to end corruption in Melanesian nations such as the Solomons. "Corruption is an endemic problem in Melanesia. We've made some progress, but there is a long way to go," Howard said.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer is to visit the Solomons on Saturday and hold talks with Rini.

The Solomons is an impoverished country where most of the half-million population lead subsistence lives.

"To both local and overseas investors, my government would like to appeal to you to stay in our country," Rini said. "Do not abandon us. Our people need you."

Source: REUTERS

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