Clark 'aghast' at appointment of Solomons ministers

Manasseh Sogavare

Prime Minister Helen Clark says she is "aghast" at the appointment to the Solomon Islands cabinet of two MPs accused of inciting last month's violent riots.

Manasseh Sogavare, the newly-appointed Prime Minister in the Solomons, has handed Charles Dausabea the police and national security portfolio and Nelson Ne'e has been given tourism and culture.

Both were arrested and charged with fomenting the riots that erupted last month after Snyder Rini was elected prime minister amid corruption allegations. Rini was forced to resign.

Mr Sogavare today said on National Radio that there was nothing wrong with the appointments as the charges against the ministers were unsubstantiated and unproven.

But Helen Clark said the appointments risked further damaging the Solomons already fragile international reputation.

"When I heard about it I was absolutely aghast frankly, because these people are both in prison," she said on Newstalk ZB this morning.

"They are charged with very, very serious offences."

Helen Clark said the head of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomons Islands (Ramsi) would talk to Mr Sogavare about the appointments today.

"There's going to be very strong views from New Zealand expressed that these appointments, if they go through, would have serious ramifications not only for the Solomon Islands but also for the Solomon Islands' international reputation."

New Zealand currently has about 190 police and troops in the Solomons as part of Ramsi.

Australia's foreign minister Alexander Downer has also condemned the appointments as surprising and disappointing.

Mr Sogavare has said the appointments were a collective government decision, but he would be open to discussions with Mr Downer and New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters when they visit the Solomon Islands this month.

Mr Sogavare has also called for a review of the role of Ramsi.

- NZPA