17 Oct 2006

NZ's Prime Minister concerned at rhetoric from Solomons PM on RAMSI mission

6:39 am on 17 October 2006

New Zealand's Prime Minister Helen Clark says she is very concerned about the rhetoric coming from Solomon Islands about the future of the RAMSI mission.

The Solomons' Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has threatened to review the legislation that enables the Australian-led regional assistance mission to operate there.

New Zealand contributes personnel and funding to RAMSI and Miss Clark says the comments signal how precariously things are in the Solomons, and are of great concern.

She says events in Solomon Islands are expected to be the focus of significant discussion at the Pacific Islands Forum being held in Fiji next week.