8 Apr 2004

Tension within Solomons coalition eased

1:17 pm on 8 April 2004

Reports from Solomon Islands say there is dissent within the ruling coalition in part over the planned trip of a government delegation to Hong Kong which was opposed by one of the key aid donors, Taiwan.

Sources say the prime minister, Sir Allan Kemakeza, of the People's Alliance Party has been made to accommodate a top advisor George Kuper because of pressure by the coalition partner, the Association of Independent Parliamentarians Group.

Sir Allan was reportedly unhappy about having to retain Mr Kuper over his involvement in the planned Hong Kong trip.

The plan drew a strong protest from Taiwan but sources say Sir Allan stopped short of sacking Mr Kuper for fear of destabilising the coalition.