HONIARA, Solomon Islands (25 July 2003) -- The leader of the Solomon Islands intervention force says this could be the country's last chance to survive as a functioning nation. However the nations participating in the mission are optimistic of a positive outcome. It is the biggest military deployment in the South Pacific since the second World War, and when Australian troops started coming ashore in the Solomon Islands, they were doing so on the same beach, Guadalcanal, where American Marines landed 61 years before. Now, of course, the problem is on a smaller scale by global standards, but the intervention force now beginning its mission is just as important to Solomon Islanders. However the leader of Solomon Islands intervention force, Australian diplomat Nick Warner, said shortly after arriving in Honiara that this was probably the last chance the Solomons had to survive as a functioning nation. False start A welcoming ceremony initially got it wrong when the band began playing for the wrong aircraft, and to make matters more uncomfortable in the confusion, the band was drenched by a brief rain shower. When the right plane eventually arrived, Mr Warner disembarked to prayers by a female pastor for the success of the intervention forces. Mr Warner said he was pleased to be invited to the Solomons by its Government. "We're here in friendship, we're here as part of a Pacific partnership that we are determined from today on will give the Solomon Islanders a better life, a safer life, a more prosperous life," he said. He said he was optimistic that the Solomons could recover from the current turmoil. "I think it probably is the last chance. I think the decline in the economy in the delivery of services has been so severe over the last few years, and the size of this intervention is so large and so expensive, it's very hard to see if it could be repeated," he said. "But if it's the last chance, it's a chance that's actually going to work." Mr Warner said the first priorities were to see the Solomon's Prime Minister and work to restore law and order in Honiara. "Let me just say this: From now onwards you will see, and Solomon Islanders particularly, more importantly, will see a real improvement on the streets of Honiara," he said. "We will have joint patrols beginning almost immediately. We will have static guarding of key institutions and buildings of the state and we will have close personal protection of the Prime Minister." Praise In Townsville, leaders from the South Pacific nations taking part in the mission praised Australia for taking leadership in overcoming the Solomons crisis. | | A dozen flights have been transporting the bulk of troops from the far north Queensland town, where leaders from the nations took part in an official send-off. A multilateral agreement formalising the mission was signed by each of the nations going to the Solomons. The countries taking part in the mission are Tonga, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Australia. The Prime Minister of Fiji, Laisenia Qarase, thanked Australia for the central role it was taking in the region. "This is an important and historic occasion. It marks a new level of regional cooperation in the pursuit of peace, unity and stability," he said. "It reinforces Australia's leadership role in South Pacific. I can tell you that Fiji is supportive of that role." PNG Prime Minster Michael Somare said the region was maturing as a result of the alliance. "The ceremony clearly demonstrated the region has come to age," he said. "I think that's the only way to go in the Pacific, help each other, be able to sustain and allow for the normal democracy to take its course." Tongan Prime Minister Prince Ulukalala Ata says the success is necessary for the Solomons' future. "The restoration of law and order and the bringing about of peace and security is a prerequisite to facilitate the much required social and economic recovery of the Solomon Islands," he said. New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark warned that sensitivity would be needed during the mission. "Our expectation is that you will engage with the people of the Solomon Islands in a way which builds their confidence in you and in the assistance we together are giving," she said. "Our approach must be low-key and helpful and enable the Solomon Islands itself to build the capability to progress its own development." In the meantime, Australian Prime Minister John Howard left open the option of further missions. "It will send a signal to other countries in the region that help is available if it is sought," he said. "That we do have a desire to help all of the peoples of the Pacific to have conditions of law and order and hope and peace and stability for their future generations." SOURCE - ABC |
