From: "Vikki John" <VIKKI-AT-lexsun.law.uts.edu.au>
Date:          Thu, 29 Jan 1998 16:41:54 GMT-1000
Subject: M-NEWS: (Fwd) Bougainville - Radio Oz 29/1/98



Radio Australia - World News

     AUSTRALIA ASKED TO INTERCEPT
     WEAPONS BOUND FOR SOLOMON
     ISLANDS

     Thursday 29 January, 1998 (2:46pm AEDT)

          Australia is considering a Solomon Islands request to
          impound shipments of weapons, which are now on their way
          to the country.

          Pacific Correspondent Richard Dinnen reports, the weapons
          were to be used against Papua New Guinea in the
          Bougainville conflict.
--------------------------------------
Comment:

The US$4 million worth of aircraft and arms were ordered by the
the Solomon Island Government to meet PNG aggression on the
common border over the Bougainville war.
The decision to order the equipment was made by the Government of
former Prime Minister Solomon Mamaloni in late 1996, Mr Ulufa'alu 
said.   Prime Minister Ulufa'alu got into government last August but 
too late to stop the arms deal.  He has since been trying to cancel 
the contract.