(4 May 2006)
1. Solomon Islands Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena and new Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare walking out to greet crowds
2. Crowds cheering
3. Waena introducing Sogavare as new prime minister
4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Manasseh Sogavare, Solomon Islands Prime Minister:
"Today parliament made a very important decision."
5. Pan from media to Sogavare
6. Close up of Waena, pan to Sogavare
7. Various of crowd
8. Close up of police on roof top
9. Crowds singing
10. Various of Solomon Island officials and Sogavare inside swearing-in ceremony
11. Official walking into ceremony
12. Various of Sogavare holding bible and reading oath
13. Close up of official signing
14. Official signing then shaking hands with Sogavare
15. Officials clapping
STORYLINE
Solomon Islands parliament on Thursday chose opposition leader Manasseh Sogavare as the new prime minister of the troubled nation, after his predecessor''s election last month sparked riots over graft allegations.
The candidate of a four-party coalition, Sogavare campaigned on pledges to clean up the endemic corruption in the Pacific Islands nation, which relies on foreign peacekeepers to maintain order.
After the vote, he told about 200 members of the public gathered outside the Parliament building that his selection was a "vote of confidence" and a
"vote for change." His supporters sang the national anthem in celebration.
The election of his predecessor, Snyder Rini, only 16 days earlier had caused an uproar in the country''s capital, Honiara, because of his links with tainted politicians.
Rumours also circulated that his campaign was backed by cash from Chinese businessmen or Taiwan - claims that were strongly denied by Rini and Taiwan.
Rini later resigned to avoid facing a no-confidence motion in Parliament.
In Thursday''s secret ballot vote among Parliament''s 50 lawmakers, Sogavare beat Deputy Prime Minister Fred Fono 28 votes to 22, the nation''s Governor General Sir Nathaniel Waena announced afterward.
Observers said the public mood was relaxed Thursday, a stark contract to the rampaging crowds which torched businesses in the capital''s Chinatown area last month.
Nevertheless, hundreds of police and troops were deployed throughout Honiara, while helicopters patrolled overhead.
Sogavare has pledged to continue the almost-bankrupt nation''s economic reform and restructuring program.
He also has vowed to review diplomatic links with Taiwan as part of a "redirection of Solomon Islands foreign policy."
The Solomon Islands is one of only 25 countries around the world that have diplomatic links with Taiwan, which China has viewed as a renegade province since the two split amid civil war in 1949.
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