16 December 2001

Ministers Call For Committed Leadership In The Solomon Islands

Joint statement by Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Alexander Downer and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Phil Goff following their Queenstown Meeting Dec 15/16

“Monday’s election of the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands will be critical to the country’s future.

“The new Prime Minister will face a daunting challenge. Solomon Islands has been through huge turmoil in the last three years. As a result of ethnic conflict, there has been a political crisis, a breakdown in law and order and the virtual collapse of the economy.

“It is vital that Solomon Islands’ newly elected leaders turn the country way from corruption and mismanagement and resolutely address the many urgent political, economic and security challenges facing the country. First and foremost will be restoration of law and order, including reform of the police force.

“There must also be a realistic budget and economic strategy along with a commitment to transparent and accountable government.

“New Zealand and Australia are ready to do all they can to support the new Government if it is prepared to take initiatives in these areas. We hope to make a joint visit to Honiara in January for discussions with the new Government.

“If urgent progress is not made on these critical issues, a further deterioration of the already serious economic and security situation is inevitable, and the people of the Solomon Islands will face a bleak future. Under these circumstances, there may be limited scope for Australia and New Zealand to assist the Solomon Islands. We urge the new Government to take the necessary steps to ensure the security and well being of its people.”

Ends

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>