HONIARA, Solomon Islands (May 3, 2001 – Radio Australia)---The Solomon Islands government may be about to abandon its plan to extend the life of the current Parliament by another year.
Radio Australia correspondent Sean Dorney reports that there has been heavy criticism both in the Solomons and internationally of a bill now before the Parliament in Honiara to defer for twelve months the elections that should be held before the end of this year.
"Great Britain, the former colonial power in the Solomon Islands, this week added its voice to the chorus of concern about postponing the democratic elections which are due between August and December.
"Australia's Foreign Minister, Alexander Downer, expressed Australia's opposition some weeks ago, while the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Don McKinnon, said if logistics and funding were problems the Commonwealth might be able to help.
"The Sogavare Government's Special Advisor, Edward Huniehu, told the...