Solomons celebrates 30th anniversary of independence
Updated
RASolomon Islands has marked its 30th anniversary and Independence Day with colour and celebrations in the capital Honiara.
presenter: Evan Wasuka
Speakers: Doctor Derek Sikua, Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Sir Peter Kenilorea, Solomon Islands first Prime Minister
DORNEY: There are going to be celebrations at Lawson Tama which is the main soccer stadium here in Honiara. In fact, I'm just right next door to Lawson Tamar at the moment and there's been quite a significant event here at Saint Barnabases Church. The launching of the first, full Solomon Islands Pidgin Bible and the governor-general has been here, the prime minister has been here. The service has gone on for several hours and it's been quite impressive. And there's been quite fairly emotional addresses given by the translators, who have been slaving over this work of getting a complete Solomon Islands Pidgin bible.
MORTENSEN: How many years did it take?
DORNEY: There was parts of the bible translated into Solomon Islands Pidgin, according to the people who spoke in this service. At least ten years they've been working on trying to get the complete bible finished and it's now. The Solomon Islands Government contributed some money towards it and the bible was brought into the church just a few minutes ago, quite a ceremony performed as the bible was carried up to the very front of the church.
It's not just the Anglican Church here, the Catholic bishop is here as well. The whole of the Solomon Islands Christian Association has combined to help this come about.
MORTENSEN: Was it designed to be launched especially for the 30th anniversary?
DORNEY: Yes, I think they aimed at getting ready for the anniversary. The major celebrations as I said are going to be on Monday. Amongst the dignitaries who have arrived and some of them were mentioned in this service are the Prime Minister of Samoa, Tula Alapi, the Prime Minister of Tonga, Fred Sevele, Australia's parliamentary secretary to the Pacific Islands Affairs, Duncan Kerr, flew in as well with on the same plane as the Samoan prime minister.
There are going to be discussions between Dr Derek Sikua, the Solomon Islands Prime Minister and the visiting heads of government. There's a bit of expectation that the discussion between Dr Sikua, the prime minister of the Solomon's and Tula Alapi, the Prime Minister of Samoa will also cover that unfortunate accident recently where a Samoan policeman, as part of RAMSI was in a car that crashed a Solomon Islands nurse died.
MORTENSEN: That's the serious side to this celebration weekend. Is it in fact continuing throughout the week?
DORNEY: The celebrations actually began some days ago, and there's a really big Solomon Islands trade fair going for several days. We were there on Saturday night and there were performances by some of the most notable Solomon Islands singers and the crowd was enormous. So Honiara has been buzzing with 30th anniversary celebrations for a few days now and lots of cars are being driven around have the Solomon Islands flag flying from their antennas.
MORTENSEN: It's good to know that the national spirit is alive and well. So, does that mean to say that the previously warring groups have put aside their differences?
DORNEY: Well, I did an interview today with Ken Averre who is the retiring or leaving now as the public solicitor and he spends quite a bit of time or has spent quite a bit of time over the last few years defending some of the leading militants from both sides, both the Upasani Freedom Movement and the Malati Eagle Force and he says that within the prison there's quite a good atmosphere. There is certainly no skisms, no animosity between the Malatians and the Guadalcanal people who have been locked up following the trouble.
MORTENSEN: Thanks very much Sean, and happy anniversary to the Solomon Islands.
DORNEY: Thank you very much Myra and I think the Solomon Islanders are enjoying the day.
