HONIARA - Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare appears to have softened his anti-Australian stance on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (Ramsi).
Since his election in May last year, Sogavare has made it clear he wants to see less Australian influence in Ramsi and less Ramsi
influence in his government.
The Australian-led regional mission arrived in mid-2003 to restore law and order and good governance following years of ethnic tension.
The mission comprises troops, police and public officials from Australia, New Zealand and about a dozen Pacific Islands nations.
Last year Sogavare threatened to oust the Australian component of Ramsi and has consistently raised complaints against the mission.
But Sogavare said last night that despite what happened in the past his government was serious in upholding its partnership with Ramsi.
"It's about partnership and our focus is where we are going, there's no point in looking back."
The Solomon Star newspaper reported that Sogavare pledged his government's support for the good work Ramsi was doing in the country.
He also paid tribute to Ramsi Special Coordinator Tim George after spending several days with him touring islands in the north-west Solomons which was hit by an 8.1 magnitude earthquake and ensuing tsunami on April 2.
Sogavare praised George's diplomatic approach to concerns raised by his government about Ramsi operations and said he appreciated George's encouragement on the importance of partnership.
The head of the Ramsi review team, former Fijian foreign minister Kaliopate Tavola, said his team came with full respect for the sovereignty and integrity of the Solomons government and was very much aware of the partnership being built between the government and Ramsi.
The review team includes former New Zealand diplomat Neil Walters and Solomon Islands member Peter Forau.
- AAP
