25 Oct 2006

New Zealand PM happy with RAMSI review

11:19 am on 25 October 2006

The New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark says she's happy with a compromise over the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands, or RAMSI.

Delegates at the Pacific Island Forum have agreed to review RAMSI but have rejected a major restructuring proposed by the Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.

Instead RAMSI will be examined in one review while a second group concentrates on wider Pacific issues.

Helen Clark says the review of RAMSI is appropriate while other demands to examine Pacific island needs will also be met.

"The solution was to agree that there should be a review because it is three and a quarter years since that mission first went in, and when the Forum comes in on the consultation, and it will be every three months, and it will be a report to Forum leaders."

Helen Clark says that will satisfy the Solomons' demands for more regional input and influence.