25 Oct 2006

PNG prime minister happy with RAMSI review

10:58 am on 25 October 2006

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Sir Michael Somare, says he's happy with the proposed review of the RAMSI operation in the Solomon Islands.

Pacific leaders meeting in Fiji have agreed to review RAMSI's operations and establish a new consultative framework to oversee its operations.

However Sir Michael says problems still exist with RAMSI, and he is also concerned at Australia's decision to ban him from entering Australia because of PNG's involvement in the Julian Moti affair.

The fugitive Australian lawyer was illegally flown from Port Moresby to Honiara earlier this month, avoiding arrest on child sex charges .

Sir Michael says he will withdrawing the PNG Ambassador from Canberra on Friday, for a briefing on the situation.