HONIARA, Solomon Islands (11 June 2000) -- Expatriates were being evacuated as the cease-fire in the Solomon Islands held for a second day. The Australian navy supply ship HMAS Tobruk carrying 480 expatriates from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the US and Britain left Honiara yesterday. HMAS Manoora, an Australian navy ship carrying 200 troops, three Black Hawk helicopters, six armored personnel carriers and a 40 bed hospital with intensive care operating theatres, was on its way to the Solomons to assist in evacuations. Commonwealth ministers are in the Solomon Islands trying to broker a peace agreement between rival rebel groups. | | The conflict between the Malaita Eagles and Isatabu Freedom Movement (IMF) rebel groups stems from hostility to the influx of Malaitans to Guadalcanal where they occupy top jobs and political positions. © CDNN - CYBER DIVER NEWS NETWORK |
