SOLOMON IS: Guns compensation to be discussed.
Updated
Talks are to be held in Solomon Islands to examine paying compensation to legitimate firearm owners who surrendered their guns as part of the peace process. Representatives from the government and the Regional Assistance Mission will meet tomorrow to discuss the issue.
Presenter: Sam Seke
Speakers: Michael Maina, Special Envoy to RAMSI
MAINA: This is an oustanding planning issue that has been on discussion for a while suddenly sort of died off, but now it's surfaced again, so we are going to start to talk about it, probably on two stages. First to set the parameters of what to discuss and possibly to get ourselves acquainted with the matter, and then to be followed by a proper meeting that will take some views and then to move it forward to Cabinet for their decision. Both RAMSI, Special Coordinator and myself with the Prime Minister's office and the Minister for Police and National Security will also be very much part of this discussion.
SEKE: So far what is the government saying about it? Is it prepared to pay for the licensed firearms?
MAINA: There is no official position taken as yet. I guess after the two meetings or several meetings we will then come up to give some recommendation to the national government. The point to note is that these guns have been taken in the name of peace. Solomon Islanders have given up their guns at the request of Solomon Islands government to have the guns removed from the hands of those who actually owned them, legitimate gun owners. And they have been given up to the Regional Assistance Mission in the name of peace. So in the past there were claims made to the government and RAMSI, one of which of course went as far as the High Court. That was sort of been deferred from the court, some understanding was reached. But now it's sort of coming to surface again and the government feels that it must deal with that issue, not going to leave it, it's going to deal with it and come up with some solution. What might become the outcome is still not known, but both Regional Assistance Mission and ourselves in the government we are now going to discuss it, and will come up with a conclusion on this issue.
SEKE: And what has RAMSI's Special Coordinator said about it so far?
MAINA: Well he will come to the proposal to have a meeting and I think his views are that it must be discussed. I cannot speak for RAMSI at this point in time, although they've taken opposition in the past to say that they would not compensate owners of the guns, but I'm not sure what their position now is. That was their opposition in the past and we will discuss it and come up with a conclusion that maybe satisfactory to both parties.
SEKE: Would you know how many guns we are talking about here?
MAINA: I think it's less than a thousand guns that were properly registered, owned by individuals in the Solomon Islands. This discussion does not relate to other weapons and guns that were brought in illegally into the country, we are actually talking about those firearms that have been imported properly and then sold to individuals who purchased licenses. So this is the category of people we are talking about.
