By Deli Oso
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister
PM Assures Business Houses Of Security
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare yesterday reiterated to Honiara's business community that his Grand Coalition for
Change Government will not undermine the security and safety of Solomon Islanders in its dealings with the Regional
Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands.
Speaking at a government-hosted reception for the business houses in the capital, Mr Sogavare said his government was
duty-bound to ensure political stability and security for all including investors to feel comfortable to remain in the
country.
He said the Bottom-up Approach Development Policy was strategically designed to address the issues that led to the
ethnic tension.
RAMSI was deployed to Solomon Islands to restore law and order following the conflict.
Mr Sogavare said the issues that resulted to the collapse of the nation in 2000 were the very ones contained in the bona
fide demands of the people of Guadalcanal and unless they were addressed Solomon Islands would continue to experience
problems.
The Prime Minister said 70 percent of the issues were economical and the most powerful message therein was
'decentralisation of development'.
He said the government therefore was obliged to develop other provinces and hence would appreciate the understanding and
support of the business community and aid donors to successfully implement the Bottom-up Approach Development Policy.
Mr Sogavare said the Ministry of Rural Development and Indigenous Affairs was established purposely to push forward that
policy.
The Prime Minister said the government supported the work of the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon
Islands.
Mr Sogavare said the relationship hiccups experienced were signs of a health relationship.
He said what the government was concerned about was the legal framework governing the presence of RAMSI but it had
assured the leaders of the RAMSI participating countries that the framework would not be amended until they and the
people of Solomon Islands were fully consulted.
ENDS