SOLOMON IS: MEF dictates peace talk terms

MEF DICTATES PEACE TALK TERMS

USP Pacific Journalism Online: http://www.usp.ac.fj/journ/
USP Journalism on the Fiji crisis (UTS host): http://www.journalism.uts.edu.au/
USP Pasifik Nius stories on Scoop (NZ): http://www.scoop.co.nz/international.htm Have your say: http://www.TheGuestBook.com/vgbook/109497.gbook

GIZO, Solomon Is (Wantok Press): Australia's efforts to assist the warring parties in the ethnic conflict in Solomon Islands to reach a cease-fire agreement have resulted in more frustrations.

This follows the failure of the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) and the Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM) to sign a cease-fire agreement yesterday.

Sources close to the Solomon Islands government claimed that Australia, through its High Commissioner in Honiara expressed disappointment over the consistent delay in reaching a cease-fire.

Solomon Islands government negotiating delegation to the peace-talk revealed that the cease-fire agreement, which the warring parties had initially planned to sign yesterday, had been rescheduled.

The government delegation explained that the delay was to give time for the leaders to properly assess the cease-fire's terms and conditions.

Sources attending the peace-talks said the main cause of the delay was the consistent dictating attitude of the MEF leader, Andrew Nori.

They alleged that the MEF leader had been come up with new demands every

day, which made the negotiation talks fail to reach a comprehensive resolution.

Early last week, the Honiara-based Australian High Commissioner, Dr Martin Sharp said the success of the peace-talk would depend on the willingness of the involving parties.

He said Australia was only facilitating the peace-talk by providing HMAS

Tobruk as a meeting venue and transportation for the parties to attend the peace-talk.

However, over last weekend, the Australian government warned the Solomon

Islands government to speed up the peace talks, as HMAS Tobruk would travel back to Australia yesterday.

Solomon Islands' government sources said the Australian government recent warning has come about due to frustrations over the militants’ failure to reach a cease-fire agreement.

Meanwhile, the ground situation in Honiara has further deteriorated as criminal element of the MEF continues to hijack vehicles and carrying out looting.

Honiara Police confirmed that members of the IFM and MEF had engaged in a number of shootouts over the weekend and yesterday in both ends of Honiara.

+++niuswire

This document is for educational and research use only. Recipients should seek permission from the copyright source before reprinting. PASIFIK NIUS service is provided by the niusedita via the Journalism Program, University of the South Pacific. Please acknowledge Pasifik Nius: niusedita@pactok.net.au http://www.usp.ac.fj/journ/nius/index.html

© Scoop Media