ESTABLISHING diplomatic relations with China may lead to a boost in the local economy, Communication and Aviation minister Peter Shanel Agovaka claims. Agovaka, who led a controversial ministerial delegation to China recently, appeared before the Foreign Relations Committee (FRC) inquiry yesterday. The FRC is inquiring into why Solomon Islands should severe its diplomatic ties with…
THE visiting 28 youth ambassadors from Taiwan yesterday paid a brief visit to Parliament and the Speaker of Parliament Patteson John Oti. The visiting ambassadors are in Solomon Islands from the 1st September to 5th September to engage in youth exchange programs on the theme; ‘Youth Diplomacy Brings Taiwan to you.’ The youths consisted of…
A CONCERNED man from Malaita is calling on the Police Commissioner Mathew Varley to act immediately and investigate allegations concerning his officers in Auki, Malaita province. The man who wants his name withheld for personal reasons said its sad to learn about the illegal actions of some police officers in Auki. He said the…
SOLOMON Water Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ian Gooden has refuted recent statements published on Island Sun on “Minister Tovosia accused of ‘misinforming’ parliament on water situation in Honiara” by Alfred Sasako 3 September 2019 as – misleading. Gooden said he was disappointed that his personal correspondences with Frank Short was somehow obtained, selectively edited and…
CHAIRMAN of the Parliamentary Standing Foreign Relations Committee (FRC) Peter Kenilorea Jnr says attempt to tarnish his credentials on international matters and understanding of our government processes by the Prime Minister is but “cheap politics”. He was responding to a statement authored by a disgruntled officer from Prime Minister Office on behalf of the Prime…
INQUIRY STARTS TODAY By ANDREW FANASIA HEAD of the bi-partisan taskforce John Moffat Fugui will be among the first to appear before the Parliamentary Foreign Relations Committee (PFRC) this morning. Chaired by Peter Kenilorea Jnr., the PFRC will inquire into whether the country should severe its existing diplomatic ties Taiwan. Fugui, who is also the MP for…
AS a way forward in their support to see the country switching its diplomatic ties with China, the Western provincial government is eyeing a sister-relation with a province in China. This was confirmed by Premier David Gina through the provincial media officer Brian Betti. He added that a paper on the matter is being finalized…
PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare has responded to speculations circulating in the mainstream media and to misleading reports surrounding the China- Taiwan issue. A statement from the Office of the Prime Minister rebutted the many unfounded speculations that have been on going which the media lavishly continues to publish in relation to the Government’s review of…
HONIARA City Council Mayor Wilson Mamae has cautioned Western province following its decision to support China. In a statement yesterday Cr. Mamae said; “the choice of switching diplomatic relations from the Republic of China to the People’s Republic of China is a matter of concern for the central government and not provincial governments, not even…
WHY $1M FOR CASINO HOTEL? By ANDREW FANASIA THE Government is paying $1 million in damages to Pacific Casino Hotel because Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was a guest at the hotel at the time of the April riot. That was the explanation officials from the Prime Minister offered when they appeared before Public Accounts Committee (PAC)…