Solomons political parties

“not off the ground”

"Politicalparties have not really got off the ground in the Solomons," the Islands' Chief Minister, Mr Peter Kenilorea. told Robert Keith-Reid in Suva.

Two parties which had been formed. the Peoples Progressive Party and the United Solomon Islanders' Party, appeared to he moribund, he said.

The Nationalists Parly, which had contested 35 seals in the elections and won six. wasn't a ... . r signtficon force.

Like Mr Kenilorea, most MPs in the Solomons are Independents.

The Chief Minister said: "I’ve heard a lot of talk about ‘bringing down the government' from the Opposition group. But on the other hand a lot of independents have privately told me not to worry, as they're not interested in submitting to the kind of political discipline needed to make an Opposition group effective".

He added: "I believe that if we can integrate our Solomon Islands attitudes at a national level, we can govern the country without parties.

"But if political parties must develop, and there seems to be

some evidence now that they will, then the Government must ensure stability by ensuring majority support for itself I suppose that might be seen as the creation of a party too.

M f said the altitude of the Council of Ministers was 'hat the Solomon Islands is ready Independence, that it has adequate local manpower to make work But still, he went on, more 90% of the population lead a relatively simple life in the rural areas and you can sa f e!y say that it’s only at the top that we are thinking about our relations with brother countries. Independence is certainly not a burning issue in the Solomons."

With the promise of a major bauxite mine, the foundations of a big oil palm industry being laid, and good prospects for timber and fishing, Mr Kenilorea said he feels his country has a good future economically, "We have all the resources, he said. "Our only real problem is lack of capital to utilise them properly."