19 Sep 2005

New Solomons political party says it's opposed to continued presence of RAMSI

7:27 pm on 19 September 2005

The Solomon Islands Social Credit political party says it will get rid of the Regional Assistance Mission for the good of the economy, if it gets into parliament next year.

The newly-formed party has just launched its 2006 election manifesto in Honiara.

Our correspondent in Honiara, Dorothy Wickham, says the Social Credit party led by former prime minister, Manasseh Sogavare, wants Solomon Islanders to get equal opportunities.

"Basically they promised that if they are in parliament that the distribution of wealth would be more equal amongst Solomon Islanders and amongst the provinces. And that they do not believe the presence of RAMSI is a good thing for the country, especially in the economic sense. They believe that RAMSI is dictating economic ideas that are not suitable to Solomon Islanders."

Dorothy Wickham says next year's election is likely to be held three months after parliament dissolves in November.