Archbishop Desmond Tutu says Solomon Is can achieve reconciliation
Updated
The Nobel Prize winning South African peace advocate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu has arrived in Solomon Islands to launch the country's Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Inquiry. Archbishop Tutu said the magnitude of South Africa's conflict was much bigger than Solomon Islands, and if South Africa can achieve peace, Solomon Islands can as well. He was met at the airport yesterday by Prime Minister Derek Sikua, members of Parliament, representatives of foreign missions and church leaders.
Presenter Sam Seke
Speaker: SIBC broadcaster Moddie Nanau, Nobel Prize Winner Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu
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SEKE: The Nobel Prize winning South African peace advocate, Archbishop Desmond Tutu has arrived in Solomon Islands. He's in Honiara to launch Solomon Islands' truth and Reconciliation Commission of Inquiry today. Archbishop Tutu said the magnitude of South Africa's conflict was much bigger than Solomon Islands, and if South Africa can achieve peace, Solomon Islands can as well. He was met at the airport yesterday by Prime Minister Dr Derek Sikua, members of Parliament, representatives of foreign missions and church leaders. SIBC broadcaster, Moddie Nanau was also there.
NANAU: The atmosphere at the Henderson International Airport was really overwhelming for the ordinary citizen, it was really good to see the presence of hundreds of people at the airport welcoming the arrival of the Bishop Desmond Tutu, from Africa, to our country this afternoon.
NANAU: Honourable Prime Minister, how do you feel welcoming the Archbishop from Africa this afternoon?
SIKUA: Very honoured, it is a privilege to us, yes.
NANAU: Thank you very much dea iu herem (there you heard) Honourable Prime Minister and he now making his way, come down to Joy Kere PS for Peace and Reconciliation and now why it is belonging to Desmond Tutu. He is making his way to let him in.,
SEKE: Moddie Nanau tells us more of what Prime Minister Dr Sikua said of Archbishop Tutu's presence in Solomon Islands.
NANAU: He said he was very pleased to see Desmond Tutu coming to this country and as a prominent figure who helped to gaim peace in his own country and of course internationally to by being a member of some international peace organisations. With his presence here, he was really happy and people will feel that truly. If there is someone from far away that can come to talk to the people of this nation about peace, then the people of this nation to must have the heart to ensure that peace returns to this country.
SEKE: In a brief statement at the Honiara Airport, Archbishop Desmond Tutu says peace can be achieved in Solomon Islands.
TUTU: We just want to say to you if it could happen there, it can happen here. No, no, no, we musn't say it can.. It will happen here. It will happen here because God wants to give you the gift called peace of course and secondly prosperity, such a beautiful place, it looks like the Garden of Eden (laughs).
SEKE: He says the road to peace in South Africa was long and difficult.
TUTU: There are many parts of the world where there is conflict, but after awhile, people are reconciled and peace comes. Our own country, South Africa, is one where many people did not believe that we would ever have real peace. They thought that we were going to have a racial bloodbath and sometimes it did look like we were going to have a very rough time.
SEKE: That was South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu, speaking on his arrival at the Honiara international yesterday. And this report was put together with the help of SIBC broadcaster, Moddie Nanau in Honiara.
