The Leader of Parliamentary Independent Group Dr. Derek Sikua has welcomed the proposed legal action by Prime Minister Sogavare on the allegation that he (PM) was involved in the events leading up to the 5th June 2000 coup.
The independent group recently issued a statement posing questions that urged the Prime Minister to tell the truth.
The Prime Minister in response said failure by former MP Nollen Leni and Leader of the Independent Group to furnish his office with evidence they have in their possession supporting their insinuations that he involved in the event will result in legal redress.
But Dr Sikua yesterday in a statement told the Prime Minister to ‘Bring it on’.
“I challenge the Prime Minister to ‘Bring it on.
“We are happy to defend ourselves, and for the good of the country. At the end of the day, truth must prevail.
“On a serious note, the Prime Minister must get ready to answer for his actions. Similarly, he must be ready to redress the victims of the ethnic crises.
“On that basis, I will not furnish anything to your office within the 7 days you wanted, but will do so to the rightful authorities when the time is right.”
The Independent leader said the Mr Sogavare should not be astounded as this is the right time to ask the hard questions; a time for truth seeking.
“Basically, the PM sets the context during the national healing and apology programme from 1st -6th July at the delivery of his unity message (speech) during the 38th independence celebration.
“I find it hard to understand why the PM continue to say that he has no knowledge about the events leading up to the coup, as he was one of those implicated in the failed attempt in a sworn statement by a MEF Commander to destroy and burn the ITA building with an eventual plan to kidnap and assassinate former MP late John Garo and Hon Bodo Dettke under the banner of MEF.
This evidence was contained in a letter by Bridge lawyers dated 1st Oct 2001, having approached the MEF supreme Commander to carry out that mission.
“Later those two gentlemen were kidnapped to the Opposition Office for questioning by Hon Sogavare (then leader of opposition) and others.
“For the information of the public and the Prime Minister himself, I have the documents in my possession.
Meanwhile, there are other testimonies of the PM’s involvement however; it will be concealed until that court case pronounced by Prime Minister is filed.
Dr. Sikua stressed that the official statement published on 11th July was not meant to defame the PM’s character in any way, “but only asks truth-seeking questions which the PM must respond to, should lasting peace envisaged would ever to grace our shores”.
“If Solomon Islands is earnestly seeking for true healing and reconciliation, the Prime Minister should be the first, being the father and leader of this country to be honest and truthful about himself and the events leading up to the tension, in particular the 5th June 2000 coup.”
Source: Office of the Leader of Independent Group
