Sogavare refuses to give up Moti
Thursday October 05, 2006

Solomon Islands Prime Minister Mannaseh Sogavare says he won't be bullied by Australia into revoking the appointment of controversial Indo-Fijian lawyer Julian Moti as the country's Attorney General.

Sogavare said was unaware of any moves by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission to revoke the appointment, and that it could only act on the advice of the prime minister.

Speaking to ABC Radio, the Solomon's leader says "Julian Moti's appointment stands and he will not be swayed by Australia to keep Moti away from taking up his appointment".

Federal Police in Australia are seeking to extradite Moti to face alleged child sex offences dating back to 1997 in Vanuatu.

The Attorney General was arrested last Friday by PNG police but skipped bail and is being assisted by the Solomon's High Commission in the PNG capital.

Australia's Prime Minister John Howard has said he would do everything in his power to pressure Honiara to give up.