Subject: 'austraLasia' # 358

SOLOMONS: ROVE VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE CLOSED

Ambrose Perieira

HONIARA: 19th June -- It has been a sad Monday morning. We had heard it in the morning. As we, Mr. Atu Balekana and myself left our Salesian residence, we were greeted by a prisoner. He told us that all the 98 prisoners were requested to leave the prison last night. Further into town we met another – a life-time prisoner who was wondering how he would make it back to his own home province. We made our way to the Rove Police headquarters and were permitted entry by the MEF guarding the gate. At the prison, prison officers were packing the area. With a heavy heart we went into the classroom and collected the tools, two engines, boards, etc. 24th May, 2000, saw a huge number witnessing the blessing of Rove Vocational Training Center – a project of Don Bosco, that was to give our prisoners the possibility of learning a trade. Classes were interesting and the inmates enthusiastic. The prison remains empty now. May the values that they have imbibed by our presence and contact, over the past five months, be put into practice. May they all be good Christians and honest citizens.

Wilfred Akao, confirmed that following the escape of 20 Guadalcanal prisoners last night, members of the joint police MEF operation set the rest of the inmates free and told them not to be involved in any criminal activity

A mockery of Democracy

Mr. Bart Ulufa’alu, caretaker PM of Solomon Islands, in a letter to the Governor General and Secretary of the Commonwealth describes the meeting of Parliament to elect a new Prime Minister as a mockery of Democracy. He stated that the date of 28th was set following Parliamentary opposition insistence that the meeting should be held as soon as possible. He said that the Parliament will now meet under duress. The SIAC government is still being threatened by the MEF.

The Guadalcanal premier, Ezekiel Alebua, says his provincial government has been able to hold meetings and make decisions on very important issues despite the absence of an administration office and a political center. The Guadalcanal Provincial headquarters has been taken over by the MEF and turned into an operations center. The people of Guadalcanal have been going through a difficult time with little medical supplies and low supplies of salt and kerosene.

The MEF insists that they will not surrender arms unless there is comprehensive agreement to settle the compensation claims.

Catholic Communications Solomons

ambrose@donbosco.org.sb; ambrosepereira@hotmail.com

http://www.catholicnet.com/solomon.htm

http://www.catholicnet.com/solomon/katolika.htm