Guns silenced to allow peace mission to land

By JOHN ARMSTRONG and NAOMI LARKIN

Foreign Minister Phil Goff is scheduled to fly to the strife-torn Solomon Islands this morning after rival militias agreed to a temporary ceasefire to enable a Commonwealth mission to get into the country.

The mission will reinforce efforts to get the warring Malaitan Eagle Force and Isatabu Freedom Movement to start negotiating a peace deal.

Both groups signed a joint statement yesterday saying they would cease hostilities to allow the "safe landing" of the Commonwealth ministers' plane.

The capital, Honiara, was quiet yesterday as the Australian Navy ship Tobruk continued to load expatriates and tourists wanting to flee the country.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed last night that 23 New Zealand passport-holders were on the ship.

About 160 New Zealanders live in Honiara.

Former Whangarei man Richard Harty, who has been living in the Solomons for seven years, said he and his family were staying put.

Mr Harty, who owns a dive shop in Honiara, said that even though the unrest had shaken their sense of security, they would remain there.

"I have no intention of moving. I own a business and a house so I don't plan on moving.

"If it gets to the stage where there is a military danger in the town area, then I will consider moving my wife and children to another island."

Mr Harty said members of the Eagles had taken several four-wheel-drive vehicles owned by residents.

They were not confiscated at gunpoint but the owners had been told it was a "good idea" to hand over their keys.

Reports said that some store owners were boarding up their shops in anticipation of looting, and banks had restricted their opening hours.

The Tobruk might delay its departure if the ceasefire holds and Honiara airport is reopened to international flights this weekend.

That would enable evacuees to be transferred to military transport planes.

Two Royal NZ Air Force Hercules and a Boeing 727 would help with any airlift.

Meanwhile, an outcry from expatriates fleeing on the Tobruk has scuttled Australian Foreign Affairs Department plans to charge an evacuation fee of up to $A717 ($907) a person.

Evacuees will now be taken to Australia without charge, but will then have to make their own arrangements for onward travel.