Sogavare strongly denies “PRC Military Base” in SI as claimed

Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has denied allowing the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) to establish a military base in the Solomon Islands in a security treaty that he confirmed today has already been finalized.

“We denied it totally. We don’t know where it came from,” Sogavare said when responding to a question in Parliament today.

Sogavare took about 30 minutes to defend the Security Treaty with China which was leaked on social media and has caused waves of concern especially in Australia and New Zealand.

Amongst the concern is the claim that the treaty allows for China to establish a military base in Solomon Islands.

He said the Australian media is all about Solomon Islands being pressured by China to build a military base in Solomon Islands, which is only 2,000km away from the northern strait of Australia.

“Where does the non-sense comes from?” he asked.

He said the security treaty was pursued at the request of Solomon Islands and “we are not pressured. We are not pressured in anyway by our new friends.”

Sogavare said: “There is no intension in what so ever to ask China to build a military base in Solomon Islands. We are insulted by such an unfounded stories and comments.”

Meanwhile he said the treaty has already been finalized and approved by Cabinet.

• More to come-