Chinese-owned shops in Solomon Islands looted (Xinhua) Updated: 2006-04-20 17:41
Even though relative calm has been returned to the streets of the Solomon
Islands capital of Honiara, the atmosphere remains volatile on Thursday.
New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said new Prime Minister Snyder Rini of
Solomon Islands was sworn in on Thursday, according to the reports by New
Zealand media.
According to Talk ZB, a local radio, Clark said she is concerned that when
news of his swearing-in hits the streets the riots could begin again and she is
also concerned about another possible flash point when MPs are sworn in next
Monday.
The islanders have to find a political solution to their problems, Clark
said.
The protests erupted in Honiara on Tuesday night, triggered by the election
of Snyder Rini as prime minister by 50 lawmakers chosen at an April 5
parliamentary election.
Dozens of Chinese-owned shops in the Chinatown in Honiara were looted, the
reports said.
Chinese Embassy in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has been taking urgent measures to
provide assistance to the overseas Chinese in Solomon Islands, the riot-torn
South Pacific state.
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