22 Feb 2007

Solomons PM says Lokopio comments are seditious

5:23 pm on 22 February 2007

The Solomon Islands Prime Minister, Manasseh Sogavare, says threats by the Western Province Premier, Alex Lokopio, to break away from Solomon Islands should the government re-arm the local police amount to sedition.

Speaking in parliament, Mr Sogavare said the government appreciated that citizens had a democratic right to express concerns but for a very few individuals to go on to express their concerns is appalling.

He says for the premier of a provincial government to threaten to break away was even worse.

He says the government's policy of re-arming local police was based on the principles of good governance and respect for the constitutionally established institutions in the country.