11 Oct 2002

Solomons prime minister confirms he advised militants not to disarm

12:24 pm on 11 October 2002

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Sir Allan Kemakeza, has confirmed claims that he told militants to hold on to their guns.

This comes after Sir Allen had made disarmament as his government's professed priority when he was elected last December.

But he now says he told them to stay armed because he hoped to bring the Malaitan Eagle Force, and their rivals, the Isatabu Freedom Movement, and Harold Keke together before the gun amnesty expired at the end of last May.

Sir Allen says his plans were derailed by the failed mission of a group of ten Malaitans to capture Mr Keke who in turn killed the group.

Meanwhile, Sir Allen says opposition MP, Alfred Sasako, should resign because he was involved in the mission to seize Mr Keke.

Sir Allen says this was a ploy to derail his disarmament efforts.

Mr Sasako says this is a lie and has threatened to sue the Prime Minister.

Earrlier this week, Mr Sasako had called on Sir Allen to step down over the then unconfirmed revelations he had told militants to retain their guns.