PRIME Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has hinted he will put before the Melanesian Spearhead Group leaders his initiated concept paper. Speaking to the media before his departure to New Caledonia for the MSG summit yesterday, Mr Lilo said he will introduce an idea of establishing a MSG parliament. “The idea of a MSG parliament is purposely to strengthen the MSG and advance MSG’s interests,” he said. The Prime Minister added that the vital component of MSG is trade. “I will pursue the fact that we need to encourage fair trade and not merely free trade.” He said MSG need to establish its own stock market. Mr Lilo said he will also speak on the draw-down of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). He said they will also revisit other vital agreements including the decolonization of New Caledonia. When asked if he concern about the atrocities and human right abuses in West Papua in their fight for freedom, the prime minister said it is important that the West Papua issue is raised through MSG. He said West Papua has been given an observatory status in the summit and the issue of concern facing them is the human rights issue. Reports reaching the Solomon Star on the West Papua issue said MSG will send a ministerial delegation to West Papua at the invitation of the Indonesian Government to investigate first hand human rights violations there and also determine which group/organisation truly represents the struggles of West Papuans. The Prime Minister left with his delegation and blessed Walter Folotalu with the acting Prime Ministerial duties as the deputy Prime Minister is also away in the Western Province to open the premiers’ conference yesterday. By Ednal Palmer solomonstarnews/news/national/18021-pm-to-introduce-new-concept-paper-to-msg
Posted on: Fri, 28 Jun 2013 13:47:50 +0000
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