SOLOMON IS: Ousted PM says new Aust govt is better
Updated
The former Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says it appears the new Australian government is much better at dealing with Pacific issues than the previous government. But Mr Sogavare who's now Leader of Opposition, has warned his successor, Derek Sikua not to surrender Solomon Islands' sovereignty just to please Australia.
Presenter: Sam Seke
Speakers: Manasseh Sogavare, Solomon Islands Opposition Leader
SEKE: Relations between Honiara and Canberra were strained under former prime ministers Manasseh Sogavare and John Howard.
Both governments took a hard non-compromising stance on certain issues - and the two leaders would not meet to talk things out.
The new governments of Kevin Rudd and Dr Derek Sikua are taking a different approach.
Since elected to office, both leaders have expressed their desires to mend and improve relations with each other - and with other countries in the region.
The former Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare says he's encouraged by the positive attitude expressed by the Rudd government towards regional countries.
SOGAVARE: From the statements that were issued by the new prime minister and of course the foreign affairs minister and of course the minister that was assigned responsibility for the Pacific Islands. We can see a lot of positive signs of that government wanting to understand the positions of the smaller island countries and want to involve more in dialogue, and active dialogue and face to face discussions of these issues.
SEKE: While in government the now Opposition leader has based his arguments with Canberra and the Australia-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands on the sovereignty of the country.
But in warning his successor to be cautious in his dealings with Canberra, he encourages Dr Sikua to discuss outstanding bilateral issues with Australia.
SOGAVARE: I'm seeing a lot of this green light and the future looks very bright for small island countries. And I would encourage the new prime minister of Solomon Islands to actually make use of that opening and place the Solomon Islands position in a clear to the new prime minister, who has indicated that he would like to listen to us and understand our position.
