WASHINGTON has been hailed for its continued assistance to efforts in Solomon Islands for the removal of World War II Unexploded Ordnances (UXOs).
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare made the commendation when addressing the 78th United Nations General Assembly last Saturday morning (Solomon Islands time).
“Mr President, the Pacific has been a victim of power politics long before becoming members of this organisation.
“The Battle of Guadalcanal is recorded in history as one of the fiercest battle of World War II, a war that was not of our making.
“The lack of urgency eight decades ago to removing the UXOs comes at a great loss to Solomon Islands in finance and in lives. And on this juncture, I would like to thank the Government of the United States of America for their continued assistance to the efforts to date.”
“However, more needs to be done to address this threat and I call on responsible countries to remove the UXOs and compensate lives affected and lost.”
Prime Minister Sogavare further added that since the inception of the United Nations in 1945, the Pacific Islands remain as states for power projection by developed nations.
“As a consequence from 1946 to 1996, approximately 300 nuclear devices were tested in the Pacific, including the Marshall Islands, French Polynesia and Kiribati – a decision in which these states and territories never had a say in.
“Mr President, these countries and territories and their people must be compensated commercially. Mr President, nuclear footprint of big powers in the Pacific is interestingly carved into our history and genes.
“Certain populations to this date continue to suffer from health issues because of nuclear testing and dumping in the Pacific. As signatories to the 1985 Treaty of Rarotonga, Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, it is our commitment to keep our Blue Pacific Continent nuclear-free is non-negotiable.
“We ratified the comprehensive test ban treaty early this year which is a testament to our conviction and principle to a nuclear-free Pacific. We remained concerned on the development of military nuclear investment within the Pacific region and its potential to trigger nuclear arms race and its implication to our nuclear-free status,” Prime Minister Sogavare added.
By IAN LADDS
Solomon Star, Honiara