14 Mar 2007

Australian travel warning over Solomons outrageous, says Sogavare

8:34 pm on 14 March 2007

The Solomon Islands government says Australia's travel warning against visiting Solomon Islands is outrageous.

Australia is advising its residents to reconsider any travel to the Solomon Islands because of an uncertain security situation and ongoing political tensions.

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare says the claims do irreparable and unnecessary damage to the country's growing tourist industry.

Mr Sogavare says it would be unnecessary to link the unrest with the preset diplomatic tensions between Australia and the Solomons.

He says common sense on the part of visitors is all that is required.