PM SOGAVARE: Not a Secret Deal but a Sovereign Issue

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare informed parliament that the Solomon Islands Government seeks nothing but peace, secure and prosperous Solomon Islands when it initiated security arrangements with China.

Addressing Parliament on the Security treaty with China Prime Minister Sogavare said the deal was not a Secret deal but a sovereign issue by a sovereign nation that has the (Solomon Islands) national interest at heart.

PM Sogavare reiterated his points saying “in this spirit we welcome any country that is willing to support us in our security space, by diversifying our security space we do not give responsibility to one particular country to bear the burden of our security needs.”

Amidst much speculations and misinformation circulating on the media the proposed bilateral Security cooperation the Government is pursuing with other partners in particular China,  “has no devious intention, nor is a secret plan but a broadened security arrangement that provides the avenue for us to seek support from not only one country.”

“We are friends to all and enemies to none” Prime Minister Sogavare said, reaffirming Solomon Islands underlying principle on Foreign policy.

Earlier on, the government has reiterated that matters of national security is for the government to decide on.

The security treaty with Peoples’ Republic of China (PRC) is no different, government made that decision and it does so in the interest of the people.

The riots of 2006 and much recently in November 2021 last year has shown that there is yet much to be done. The security treaty with China gives us options.

The nature of the security pact with PRC is no different to the one that government has entered into with Australia. The agreement is for the countries concerned to provide security to Solomon Islands in the event that security is required to protect our people and country from external or internal threats.

Contrary to the misinformation promoted by anti- government commentators, the agreement does not invite PRC or any other countries for that matter to establish its military base here.

If PRC is to set up its military base in the Pacific, it would have done so with either Papua New Guinea or Fiji, the first Pacific Countries to have bilateral relationship with PRC.

Government is conscious of the security ramification of hosting a military base, and it will not be careless to allow such initiative to take place under its watch.

When it comes to security, government will always prioritise the safety of its peace loving people and their properties.

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Issued by OPMC Press

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