OPMC SLAMMED MR SASAKO’S ‘PLEASE EXPLAIN’ CLAIM

OPMC slammed Sasako's claims. Photo credit: SICR

OPMC slammed Sasako’s claims. Photo credit: SICR

The Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (OPMC) has slammed a claim by Alfred Sasako, the US Secretary John Kerry has demanded a ‘please explain’ to Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo during his visit.

The ‘please explain’ Mr Sasako claimed was a demand by Washington DC why Solomon Islands had established a diplomatic mission in Cuba.

But Press Secretary to Prime Minister Douglas Marau says contrary to Mr Sasako’s personal assumptions, the US secretary and Prime Minister Lilo was more interested in re strengthening their historical ties.

He adds, the US Secretary was keen to see a smooth running of the national elections this year and also to implement sustainable forestry measures, sustainable ocean resources management and climate change mitigation.

Mr Marau clarifies, nothing on the relations between Cuba and Solomon Islands arose during the discussion as claimed by Mr Sasako.

Mr Marau also relayed the US ambassador to PNG, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu’s disappointment over Sasako’s claims.

Meanwhile, responding to the Press Secretary, Alfred Sasako said the statement lacks substance and in-depth understanding of global and regional issues, particularly issues of regional security.

The former Parliamentarian adds, Solomon Islands is in a region described as the arc of instability and that is the concern that the United States has.

Sasako says by associating with Cuba and Indonesia to an extent, the Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo is leaving the country’s backdoor wide open for terrorists and others to infiltrate the nation.

He says Solomon Islands does not have the resources to deal with these security concerns.

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