Solomons removes Australian from riots inquiry

The Solomon Islands government has cancelled the appointment of the former Australian judge, Marcus Einfeld, to head a commission of inquiry into the rioting in Honiara earlier this year.

Radio Australia's reporter in Honiara, Dorothy Wickham, said the Solomons' prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare made the announcement in a national address to the country on Sunday night.

The move follows an earlier decision by the Solomons to expel Australia's high commissioner, Patrick Cole.

Mr Sogavare said Australia was using bullying tactics in the region and the Solomon Islands government would not back down from its decision to remove Mr Cole.

He has also described Australia's scrapping of multi-entry visas for Solomon Islands members of parliament as bullying and harsh.

Australian imposed visa restrictions on Solomon Islands politicians in retaliation for Mr Cole's expulsion over alleged interference in Solomons' politics.

It is believed Mr Cole had expressed concern about the Sogavare-commissioned inquiry into the rioting in Honiara in April.

There are concerns the inquiry might try to put the blame for the riots on the Australian police, as well provide an escape route for two Solomons' politicians involved in the mayhem.

Australia led a regional peacekeeping force deployed to end civil unrest in the Solomons in July 2003, boosting the force in April after the riots, sparked by the election of Mr Sogavare's predecessor Snyder Rini, who was in power for just eight days.

Despite the diplomatic row, Mr Sogavare said Solomon Islands wished to maintain good relations with Australia and was ready for dialogue with Australian Prime Minister John Howard.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA