13 Feb 2007

New Zealand PM hopes to see RAMSI review move ahead

9:56 am on 13 February 2007

The New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark, says she's keen to see movement on a review of the Solomon Islands Regional Assistance Mission, RAMSI.

Australia's foreign minister, Alexander Downer, has accused the Solomons' prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, of trying to destroy the mission.

Helen Clark says there's been a delay in getting the terms of reference for the planned RAMSI review written, as the push on it was being led by Fiji before the coup there last year.

Miss Clark says there would be despair in Solomon Islands if RAMSI was to be withdrawn and the nation returned to anarchy.

She says New Zealand is working hard to ensure the mission continues.