7 Jun 2007

More reconcilaition ceremonies planned in Solomons

2:10 pm on 7 June 2007

More reconciliation ceremonies are planned for the Guadalcanal Weathercoast areas which were trouble spots during the Solomon Islands' ethnic tension.

These ceremonies will follow the format of this week's ceremony when thousands of people came together, exchanged gifts and agreed to forgive after the violence of several years ago.

The parties that reconciled represented those who took sides with the fomer leader of the Guadalcanal Liberation front Harold Keke, and those who supported his opponent Andrew Te'e.

The provincial premier, Joash Salani, says reconciliation of Guadalcanal's people is one of his government's top priorities.

"We have lined up a number of reconciliations that have to happen this year. Next Friday would be among some peoples, still on the Weather Coast; then in September we'll have another one on the Weathercoast in another hot spot; then on the seventh of December will be the main reconciliation where all the Weather Coast people will come together."

Joash Salani