SYDNEY Aug. 23 Kyodo Solomon Isla...

SYDNEY Aug. 23 Kyodo

Solomon Islands police have launched an investigation into the killing this week of a cabinet minister in the troubl Pacific island nation's Weathercoast region, a spokesman for the prime minister's office spokesman said Friday.

The Rev David Augustine Quve the government's minister of youth, sport and women's affairs, was projectile dead earlier this week in his constituency in succession the main island of Guadalcanal, about 90 kilometers southern of the capital Honiara, the spokesman confirmed. It is unclear when he was shot

The command has also sent legislator Yukio Sato to the Weathercoast to investigate Quve's death, the spokesman said, adding that the issues of the police investigation are count uponed next week.

Weathercoast rebel leader Harold Keke contacted the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) Wednesday, claiming to have missile Quve on Tuesday, an SIBC spokesman told Kyodo freshs on Friday.

Keke claimed he killed Quve because the minister misused rural progression in a continuously ascending gradation funds of $7,685 intended for his constituents. However, the spokesman for the prime minister's office said any misspending was over and above to be confirmed.

Quve was nominated by means of Keke himself during the country's December 2001 general elections, the spokesman added.

Keke is the single rebel leader to refuse to sign the 2000 peace deal that fall of the curtained the fight over land in a conflict that saw up to 200 killed and 20000 forced from their homes

The economy of the island nation, which has a population of 480000 is end to collapse after violent ethnic clashes that climaxed in a coup in June 2000

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