SOLOMON IS: Opposition coughs-up information on ethnic tension
Updated
A senior Solomon Islands politician says national leaders have nothing to fear about their role in the ethnic conflict if they have nothing to hide. Opposition MP Peter Boyers made the comment in response to allegations that the opposition is using former militants to fabricate information about the government.
Presenter: Sam Seke
Speakers: Peter Boyers, Opposition M-P and former Finance Minister
SEKE: On Monday, East Honiara M-P Charles Dausabea told parliament that the opposition was using former Malaitan militants to fabricate information to police against himself and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
Mr Dausabea who's still facing criminal charges relating to last year's riots in Honiara, said he had a copy of a letter written by an opposition M-P to prove his claim.
The Speaker then told the East Honiara M-P to make copies of the letter available to the members of parliament.
This was Mr Dausabea speaking about the letter.
DAUSABEA: I raise this I was just given a letter here in my hand here, written by a member of the opposition encouraging ex-militants to make up stories so that myself and the honourable Prime Minister can be dealt with by the police again.
And I hope Mr Speaker sir, the police under their new commissioner will be mindful and do their job. I would just like to call on members of parliament to refrain from such attitude, and allow the police to do their job freely according to evidence that is provided freely and voluntarily. Not evidence that is fabricated and are cooked up and like the one I was holding here, it's one of them here.
SEKE: The Leader of Opposition, Fred Fono however, categorically denied any opposition involvement in the letter.
FONO: We have not had any involvement in that, I categorically deny on behalf of the opposition group as masterminding that.
Whatever involvement that's seen certain former militants or some of the former militants have been involved in, it is on their own accord and it's not being motivated or being encouraged by the opposition group.
I categorically deny that. Of course there are certain moves that the government is trying to do to tarnish the image of the opposition, and I would call on the MP for East Honiara to distribute that letter in accordance to the standing orders and Mr Speaker I want that to be honoured, because it is a ruling from the Chair Mr Speaker in order to respect procedures of parliament.
SEKE: Solomon Islands Opposition Leader, Fred Fono.
The hand-written letter mostly in the To'obaita language of North Malaita has since been copied to all MP's - and Pacbeat has also obtained a copy.
The letter dated 19 January 2007, was written by the M-P for North Malaita, Daniel Kwanairara.
It basically asked two former Malaitan militants to disclose whatever information they had about any involvement by the Prime Minister and an un-named leader who was then in custody, in the June 2000 coup.
Speaking in parliament West New Georgia M-P Peter Boyers said ex-militants had been used in the past, and they have the right to express themselves.
Mr Boyers said both government and opposition members should not use others for cover and hide their past.
BOYERS: The letter that was distributed by the MP for East Honiara shows that an MP that has been unable to attend parliament is seeking knowledge on events surrounding the 2000 coup from ex-militants. That is the case Mr Speaker, I find nothing wrong with this. This is the question of all Solomon Islanders. We all know that former ex-militants have been talking to the government and opposition MPs, that is the truth. From what I've heard there is a lot of discontentment and realisation of how they have been used in the past and that they want to set the record straight. These former ex-militants have done some rough things and they know that, but they have just as much right to voice their concerns as any other citizen in this country. Mr Speaker both government and opposition will agree that if we have nothing to hide in our past then we have nothing to fear and therefore no one to use to cover or hide the past.
