11 Aug 2003

Solomons Weathercoast villagers fear attacks by Harold Keke

9:40 am on 11 August 2003

Meanwhile, militiamen and villagers on the Weathercoast say they fear attack by warlord Harold Keke, after surrendering their guns to the Australian-led intervention force.

Avu Avu community leader Timothy Tango told a delegation lead by intervention force chief Nick Warner, he felt it was the wrong time to be handing in weapons.

Tango asked Warner to use military force against Keke, saying he feared Keke would take advantage of them once they were disarmed.

Warner told Tango the intervention force would protect the villagers.