Article Author:
Associated Press
Nick Perry
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Japanese sailors were attacked Monday during a World War II memorial service in the Solomon Islands. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman.
Radio New Zealand reported that the victim was a member of the Japanese Navy's press team and had suffered minor injuries after being stabbed in the neck with a pair of scissors.
The Solomon Islands government was hosting a dawn service at Bloody Ridge as part of commemorations marking his 80th anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal.
Radio New Zealand spoke to medical personnel who said the sailor will need stitches but is doing well. Bloody Ridge Community Wesley Lamo, his chief, said the suspect was from a neighboring community, was affected and was mentally unstable.
The ceremony was also attended by Japanese Defense Minister Makoto Oniki and New Zealand Defense Minister Pini Henare.
The suspects reportedly threw the sailors to the ground during the attack before local residents and US military personnel intervened and detained them. The police then took him away and after a short break the ceremony resumed.
The anniversary of the battle is celebrated in the Solomon Islands over his three days. Bloody Ridge is a small hill where US Marines repelled Japanese forces attacking a military airfield in September 1942.
Sherman was part of a prominent US diplomatic mission to the Solomon Islands, including Caroline Kennedy, US Ambassador to Australia.
This trip is of personal interest to Sherman and Kennedy. The father of two fought there during World War II.
On Sunday, Kennedy met with her two Solomonic children. During the war, the two Solomonic children helped rescue their father, the late President John F. Kennedy, after his boat was hit by a Japanese destroyer and sank.
In an emotional moment, Kennedy gave the children replicas of the coconut shells their fathers used to write messages for help, news staff reported.
45} The visit came after the United States and several Pacific nations expressed deep concern over the security pact the Solomon Islands signed with China in April.As part of her trip, Sherman will also visit the Pacific countries of Samoa and Tonga, and will visit Australia and New Zealand.
