PRIME Minister Manasseh Sogavare’s decision not to attend United Nation General Assembly meeting in New York, USA (UNGA) is being questioned. A concern citizen Heddy Brian Wanealafa said he was informed that Mr. Sogavare would not attend UN’s top meeting but sent his Foreign Affairs and External Trade Minister instead. Mr Wanealafa said that earlier…
THE statement by the premier of Western Province David Gina in support of the government’s switch in recognising China over Taiwan was not welcomed by many people in the province. Speaking to this paper, a concerned Dickson Masimo said the statement made by Premier Gina did not represent the entire Western Province. “…it is coming…
Heavy police presence is expected to be still seen across the country, city and parts of Guadalcanal in the coming days. Police Commissioner Matthew Varley said since Monday his officers in Honiara and Guadalcanal are involved in the high visibility patrols across the country and city following the government’s decision to switch diplomatic recognition from…
THE magistrate court today will sentence the man who drove a Backhoe Excavator into the Coral Sea Resort’s reception last year. Dickson Irofinao had pleaded guilty to the charges of intimidation, wilful and unlawful damage. Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison will hand down the sentence this morning in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court. Irofinao is facing charges…
PRESIDENT of the New Caledonia Congress Roch Wamytan this week met with Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare at the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The two leaders discussed potential trade relations between New Caledonia, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. Both leaders acknowledged the trade agreements within the Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) framework. The two leaders…
A traditional dialogue to build trust and blend a mutual understanding between the Census Office and the Makira-Ulawa platform community was held at Hoto Village, Makira on Friday the 6th of September. Census District Superintendent (CDS) Francis Badenogo said the traditional dialogue was the first of its kind and a step forward for the Census…
Suidani: switch to China, a blow to Malaita-US deal By WILSON SAENI In Auki GOVERNMENT’s decision to switch ties from Taiwan may cost Malaita province from receiving SBD$2,468,445,000.00 ($2.5b) in funding support from United States (US). This was revealed by the Malaita provincial premier Daniel Suidani who has hit out at Malaitan Members of Parliament…
FOREIGN Affairs minister Jeremiah Manele has refuted claims by the Opposition leader that the Prime Minister has ordered him not to meet with the Taiwanese delegation on Monday. Opposition Leader Matthew Wale in a media statement on Wednesday has claimed that Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has advised Manele not to meet with the visiting Taiwanese delegation upon…
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) describes the government actions on the switch from Taiwan to China as arrogant and undemocratic. At a meeting organised by the Development Services Exchange (DSE) on Tuesday CSO members expressed their frustrations seeking answers as to why there was no consideration to their presentations to the Foreign Relations Committee in response…
THE Government’s Core Ministerial Coordination Committee (CMCC) met on Wednesday to discuss and identify the development gaps in relation to the current change in the government’s foreign policy on the ‘One China Principle’. Permanent Secretaries from various government ministries were summoned to attend the meeting on ROC-funded projects and identify issues that require urgent attention, particularly…