28 Mar 2003

Solomons police concerned over PNG border control

4:11 pm on 28 March 2003

The Solomon Island police commissioner William Morrell is considering holding talks with his Papua New Guinea counterpart over concerns about former Bougainville militants crossing the border into Western Province.

This was one issue raised when Mr Morrell visited Western Province for the first time earlier this month.

Police spokesman Charles Lemoa says the commissioner wants to come up with ways to stop the intrusions.

The former militants have frequently been involved in violent incidents in the border provinces.

There are also concerns about guns being illegally brought across from Bougainville and worries about the potential impact of pests and disease if the border crossings are not controlled.