SYDNEY (REUTERS) - Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare may miss the United Nations General Assembly in New York, two parliamentary sources said, amid rising tension in the Pacific nation over its decision to sever ties with Taiwan and align with Beijing.
The Solomons' decision to switch diplomatic ties drew immediate criticism from the United States, and has even sparked calls by protesters in one major island province to seek independence from the rest of the archipelago.
The Prime Minister's office said in a statement to Reuters that it could not confirm who would represent the Solomon Islands in New York.
Mr Sogavare's grip on power could also be tested if he leaves the country, due to a parliamentary system that relies on maintaining alliances to retain power.
A parliamentary source said that Foreign Affairs Minister Jeremiah Manele had been prepped to lead the delegation.
"The government is not stable enough for him (Mr Sogavare) to leave," the source said.
The island delegation is scheduled to leave as early as Friday (Sept 20). The general assembly opened on Tuesday, and the high-level general debate starts on Sept 24.
US Vice-President Mike Pence had directly liaised with Mr Sogavare in recent months, and Taiwan supporters had wanted to stall the island government's diplomatic decision until after the UN meetings, where Mr Sogavare could potentially form closer ties with the US.
Mr Pence has now declined to meet the leader in response to the island nation's decision on Monday to sever its longstanding ties to Taiwan.
While the US upholds the "one-China" policy recognising Beijing and not Taipei, it assists Taiwan, which includes significant sales of arms to the island.
The small but strategically located archipelago and site of fierce fighting in World War II had been assessing its Taiwan alliance since Mr Sogavare took control after a general election in April.
The issue has divided loyalties in the former British protectorate, an archipelago of just over 600,000 people.
The US retains strong support in Malaita province, which provides a large voting bloc in Parliament.
Pro-Taiwan residents in Malaita this week asked the Solomon Islands government to grant the province independence, according to a letter of demand seen by Reuters.
"Any Malaitan who fail(s) to support our demand for independence is not welcome in Malaita province until he or she shows his or her support for our cause to become independent from (the) Solomon Islands government to manage our own affairs," the letter said.
