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Australia rejects Solomons order Australia issues Solomons threat
(about 3 hours later)
Australian Prime Minister John Howard has said his government would not accept the expulsion of its top diplomat from the Solomon Islands. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has threatened to withdraw some visa privileges for Solomon Islands politicians, local media said.
The threat came in retaliation for the Solomons' expulsion of Australia's top diplomat, in a growing row over a police investigation into April riots.
High Commissioner Patrick Cole was officially told to leave on Tuesday.High Commissioner Patrick Cole was officially told to leave on Tuesday.
A senior Australian envoy is currently in the capital, Honiara, to protest against the decision. A senior Australian envoy is in the Solomons' capital, Honiara, to protest against the decision.
The two sides disagree on a police inquiry which Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has set up, to look into riots that took place in April. Mr Downer told Sky News that the government was seeking a measured response.
It was not clear what practical effect Mr Howard's comments would have. "We can't just have our High Commissioner expelled from the country for no good reason and then do nothing about it," he said.
Earlier, Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Mr Cole would return to Australia, but that the country's embassy in the Solomons would remain open. He said that Solomon Islands' politicians, who at present can enter Australia on multiple-entry visas, may have to apply for a visa each time they want to visit.
Violent clashesViolent clashes
Mr Howard told Australian media on Wednesday that Mr Cole "was doing the right thing - he was representing the interests of Australia." The root of the disagreement is a police inquiry which Solomons Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare has set up, to look into the April riots.
Critics accuse Mr Sogavare of initiating the police investigation in order to clear two lawmaker allies, who were charged with inciting the riots.
Australia's Prime Minister John Howard told Australian media on Wednesday that Mr Cole had been "doing the right thing - he was representing the interests of Australia."
"He's concerned about corruption in the Solomon Islands, he's concerned that the proposed commission of inquiry will subvert the legal process," he said."He's concerned about corruption in the Solomon Islands, he's concerned that the proposed commission of inquiry will subvert the legal process," he said.
Critics accuse Mr Sogavare of initiating the police investigation in order to clear two lawmakers who were charged with inciting the riots which shook Honiara earlier this year. The April violence erupted after an election won by the former deputy prime minister, Snyder Rini.
The violence erupted after an election won by the former deputy prime minister, Snyder Rini.
Thousands of anti-government protesters burned down buildings in the city's Chinese district, alleging that either China or Taiwan had paid lawmakers to vote for him.Thousands of anti-government protesters burned down buildings in the city's Chinese district, alleging that either China or Taiwan had paid lawmakers to vote for him.
Additional troops and police were sent to reinforce an Australian-led assistance mission already in the country to bring the violence under control.Additional troops and police were sent to reinforce an Australian-led assistance mission already in the country to bring the violence under control.
Mr Rini resigned when several members of his government - including Mr Sogavare - defected to the opposition, and Mr Sogavare was elected prime minister.Mr Rini resigned when several members of his government - including Mr Sogavare - defected to the opposition, and Mr Sogavare was elected prime minister.
Mr Sogavare then appointed to his cabinet two lawmakers who had been detained and charged with inciting the violence.
The growing tensions between Australia and the Solomons could put at risk an international mission to keep law and order in the turbulent country.The growing tensions between Australia and the Solomons could put at risk an international mission to keep law and order in the turbulent country.
"There is a big issue at stake here and we've put a lot of resources... there," Mr Howard told ABC News."There is a big issue at stake here and we've put a lot of resources... there," Mr Howard told ABC News.
"We want the Solomon Islands to lift its game when it comes to issues of corruption and governance.""We want the Solomon Islands to lift its game when it comes to issues of corruption and governance."