Too broke to change the laws

HONIARA - The near-bankrupt Solomon Islands will be able to convene its Parliament only once this year because of financial woes and electricity disruptions in the capital, Honiara.

Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza's office said Parliament had been suspended until November, but a date had yet to be set for a sitting.

"Taking into account the Government's poor financial position, it is not possible to hold more than one meeting of the national Parliament this year, even if the Government would very much like to," it said.

Kemakeza was elected in December 2001 and has struggled to save his South Pacific island nation from bankruptcy and continuing violence after years of fighting between ethnic militia.

The Asia Development Bank's latest report on the Solomons says: "The fiscal situation is desperate and quality of life has plummeted."

The April report said the Solomons' economy had shrunk by about 26 per cent since 1998.

The Government has at times been been unable to pay public servants for months, causing hospital and school strikes, and it has not paid any money on international debts for two years.

The nation's total debt rose to 110 per cent of gross domestic product last year.

- REUTERS