Hawaiian think tank says Solomons row with Australia directed by personal ego

A think tank in Hawaii says the ongoing row of Solomon Islands with Australia is being directed by personal ego rather than in the interest of Solomon Islands.

Dr Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka, a Solomon Islander, at the East-West Center says some politicians in the Solomon Islands were guided by the desire to protect and help Australian lawyer Julian Moti, while the interest of Solomon Islands was at the bottom of the pile.

Mr Kabutaulaka says the Solomon Islands government is yet to give a convincing explanation for its actions.

He says presumably the tactic was designed to send the message to Australia that Solomon Islanders want to run their affairs their own way.

However he says the method chosen by the Solomon Islands government is likely to have negative repercussions.

Note: Dr Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka is a research fellow at the East-West Center in Hawaii.

Source: RNZI