HONIARA, Solomon Islands (26 Sep 2001) -- The fragile peace in the Solomon Islands is under new strain following the killing of a Guadalcanal man in the capital, Honiara, over the weekend. The incident has raised concern that it may jeopardize the peace agreements between the Malaita Eagle Force and the Isatabu Freedom Movement. The victim, Selwyn Saki, a renegade IFM commander, was kidnapped by an unknown group, mutilated and shot, as Radio Australia correspondent Dorothy Wickham reports: "Saki's body was returned to his family yesterday by members of the Peace Monitoring Council. "Meanwhile, the government has strongly condemned the killing. Minister for Police and National Security William Haomae has assured the victim's family that people involved will be hunted down and brought to justice. "As a result of the killing, the Townsville Peace Agreement review group that began meetings last week in Honiara has postponed further discussions. | | Solomon Islands rebel "The review that already had been threatened by anger from some of the parties is now in serious doubt. "The review was to have ended today, with discussion of the Marau Peace Agreement to have continued on Wednesday. "Meanwhile, the Peace Monitoring Council is trying to get the talks back on track for tomorrow. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
