26 Sep 2007

Solomons PM dismisses survey endorsing RAMSI

2:51 pm on 26 September 2007

The Solomon Islands prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, has dismissed the findings of a survey which found an overwhelming majority of Solomon Islanders in support of the Regional Assistance Mission deployed since 2003.

The survey was conducted by the Australian National University and it found 90 percent of those interviewed want RAMSI to remain in the country.

But Mr Sogavare says the findings of the survey holds no substance because it was carried out only by the ANU and not jointly with the National Statistics Office.

He says the report was also compiled from Australia.

RAMSI's Special Coordinator, Tim George, said the results of the survey were very encouraging for all members of the RAMSI mission.