MEF DICTATES PEACE TALK TERMS
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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.
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