DATE=6/8/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=SOLOMON ISLANDS COUP (L-ONLY)
NUMBER=2-263288
BYLINE=ANNE BARKER
DATELINE=CANBERRA
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: The Commonwealth's envoy in Solomon
Islands says there is hope of a ceasefire between
warring ethnic groups. Anne Barker reports from
Canberra.
TEXT: The Commonwealth's Adi Adifuye has been
acting as mediator between the warring groups
embroiled in a fight over land rights on the
central island of Guadalcanal. Mr. Adifuye spoke
Thursday to leaders from both the Isatabu Freedom
Fighters and the Malaitan Eagles Force - which
took control of the country's capital Honiara
Monday.
Despite continued fighting in recent days, Mr.
Adifuye says he is hopeful of a deal.
/// ADUFIYE ACTUALITY ///
There is a commitment, not a ceasefire, I'm
not going to go that far. There is an
expressed commitment on both sides to work
towards peace.
/// END ACT ///
Mr. Adifuye says he is confident talks can begin
as soon as possible.
There was relative calm Thursday after days of
intense fighting east of the capital and near the
international airport.
A delegation of ministers from the Commonwealth -
comprised of Britain and its former colonies - is
scheduled to arrive in Honiara Friday, but there
are doubts the visit will proceed if security
can't be guaranteed. New Zealand's Foreign
Minister Phil Goff says conditions at the airport
will determine whether the delegation can arrive
as planned.
/// OPT /// Australia has begun evacuating its
citizens and other foreign nationals from
Honiara. The Australian navy vessel, H-M-A-S
Tobruk arrived in Honiara Thursday afternoon and
immediately began loading people wanting to
leave. There are about 700 Australians in Solomon
Islands and as many as 400 foreign nationals. ///
END OPT ///
Meanwhile the political crisis continues as
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Bartholomew
Ulufa'alu remains a hostage. He was taken captive
by Malaitan Eagles Forces Monday. He was briefly
released Wednesday - but is now under house
arrest.
The prime minister denies he has resigned and
says he will let Parliament decide his future
when it meets late next week. (Signed)
NEB/HK/AB/GC/JO/KL
08-Jun-2000 07:41 AM EDT (08-Jun-2000 1141 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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