Posted by KE-news update on 11/7/2003, 1:11 am We'll be puppets, says leader...By Mary-Louise O'Callaghan and Patrick Walters July 10, 2003 FORMER Solomon Islands prime minister Manasseh Sogavare lashed out yesterday at a proposed Australian-led intervention force planned for the Pacific nation, accusing Canberra of having colonial ambitions. The controversial politician, who led the country immediately after the 2000 coup, told the parliament in Honiara the Solomons was being "deliberately used as a puppet for overseas agendas". "It'll be nothing short of re-colonising this country," he said. Mr Sogavare also blamed Australia and other aid donors for the failure of the Solomons peace process. "If these so-called development partners were serious about rescuing this country from the grip of lawlessness they would have done so when they had the opportunity," he said. In the first sign of a crack in what was believed to be a consensus of support for the intervention, Mr Sogavare set himself at odds with the rest of the house, which is expected to endorse the planned intervention within days. Mr Sogavare denied suggestions his opposition was based on fears the 2000-strong intervention force would uncover his alleged involvement in the coup. "I'm sick and tired of being accused of leading a coup against a democratically elected government," he said. The prospect of political opposition to the Australian-led intervention force was no reason for concern, according to Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. Mr Downer said yesterday he remained confident the Solomons parliament would pass the enabling legislation. He described Mr Sogovare as an opponent of Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza, saying he understood there remained "overwhelming support" for Australia's intervention. Mr Sogavare's bitterness towards Australia is believed to stem partly from an earlier refusal by the Howard Government to provide an intervention force at the request of his government during its 18-month term in office from June 2000 to December 2001. Mr Downer said Australia was waiting for law changes to be passed in the Solomons parliament to protect police and defence personnel, which could occur within days given government and opposition support. He also revealed Australia had approached Japan and the European Union to expand their aid programs to the Solomons. Mr Kemakeza and opposition leader John Garo expressed support for the intervention as the only way forward for the country. Mr Garo said while it was a "sad day for Solomon Islands" the opposition believed this had resulted from the failure "over 25 years of successive leaders to lead and serve our people". "It is a proposal that will effectively make Solomon Islands an experiment, in what is going to be the most important shift in regional foreign policy since the 'wind of change' swept over most of the former colonies of the South Pacific region in the 1970s," Mr Garo said. The Howard Government is planning to send a total force of about 2000 troops and police to the Solomons. look...whos talking!!! With consent from KE
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