Fed: Political chaos threatens ahead of Downer Solomons visit

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Fed: Political chaos threatens ahead of Downer Solomons visit

By Karen Polglaze, Diplomatic Correspondent

CANBERRA, Dec 17 AAP - Foreign Minister Alexander Downer flies into political chaosin the Solomon Islands today, with Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza facing a no-confidencevote.

Mr Downer is leading a delegation of Australian parliamentarians in a four-nation visitthat is due to begin in Honiara late today.

The government of Sir Allan is under considerable political and economic pressure withsix backbenchers resigning ahead of the no confidence motion.

Opposition Leader Patterson Oti announced he would move the no-confidence motion tomorrow,Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation reported.

Australia has come under much criticism in recent days in the south-west Pacific nationas it lurches from crisis to crisis, with the opposition questioning the timing of thevisit and one minister accusing Australia of remote-controlling a ministerial reshuffle.

Questions over whether Mr Downer's visit should go ahead arose after shots were firedover Sir Allan's house on Friday by disgruntled former militia members seeking compensation.

Despite a peace agreement between warring factions, the Solomon Islands has been unstablesince a coup in mid-2000.

"We are deeply concerned about the situation in the Solomon Islands," Mr Downer toldreporters in Sydney today.

"There are still enormous problems out there. There's nothing like sufficient law and order.

"The government as a result is unable to maintain sufficient control over its financesand the economy has been in very poor shape."

Mr Downer will seek advice on whether there are other ways Australia can help the Solomons,but he will at the same time reinforce the message that the islanders must not expecta foreign bail-out and they must do more to help themselves.

Australian opposition foreign affairs spokesman Kevin Rudd said the visit would provethat the Townsville Peace Agreement championed by the federal government two years agowas a comprehensive failure.

Weapons that were supposed to be surrendered under the agreement remained in the communityand training programs for the police force had failed to make the force professional,Mr Rudd said.

"The Solomon Islands remain awash with guns," Mr Rudd said in a statement.

"Practically no weapons have been returned to the police armoury.

"Despite training programs for the Solomon Islands police force, little apparent progresshas been made."

Mr Downer spends tomorrow in the Solomons before heading to Vanuatu, Samoa and New Zealand.

AAP kjp/hu/br

KEYWORD: DOWNER NIGHTLEAD