25 Oct 2006

PNG newspaper says Solomons PM worried about threat of arrest

10:58 am on 25 October 2006

Meanwhile the Post Courier newspaper is reporting Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare fears he will be arrested when he returns home from the Forum summit tomorrow.

Last week a cabinet minister, Peter Shanel, was arrested in connection with the Julian Moti affair and the newspaper says Mr Sogavare has told his PNG counterpart, Sir Michael Somare, he fears the same fate.

The Post-Courier says Sir Michael tried to offer Mr Sogavare some comfort, saying he hoped Australia would not go to the extent of arresting the Solomons prime minister.

In Honiara, Sogavare's press secretary Deli Oso said she and other staff had heard rumours that the prime minister might be arrested upon his return.

She says if there is a plan it is illegal.