HONIARA - Solomon Islands Opposition Leader Derek Sikua has expressed concern over the unprecedented move by the Government to support Japan's scientific whaling programme.
Prime Minister Gordon Darcy Lilo has declared his support for the controversial whaling programme ahead of his departure for Japan today for the sixth Japan-Pacific Alliance Leaders' Meeting.
Dr Sikua said Solomon Islands has always maintained a neutral position in the past so as not to strain its relations with its major bilateral partners who have opposing stances on this issue and should continue maintaining it.
He said the Prime Minister's declaration is diplomatically insensitive as the country's other bilateral development partners apart from Japan are opposed to Japan's scientific whaling programme.
Dr Sikua said Solomon Islands continues to enjoy cordial diplomatic and bilateral relations with both Japan and Australia and all its other member countries of the International Whaling Commission that it has ties with and Honiara must not jeopardize these relations by some tactless decisions.