- 29 Jun 2003 10:03
#16131
http://onenews.nzoom.com/onenews_detail ... -7,00.html
New Zealand will commit 200 troops and about 30 extra police to an Australian-led rescue plan for the lawless and near-bankrupt Solomon Islands, Foreign Minister Phil Goff said on Sunday.
Australia will contribute the bulk of a force of up to 2,000 multinational troops, police and support staff, the biggest military deployment in the South Pacific since World War Two.
Goff said that the Solomons, a former British protectorate known as "The Happy Isles," was on the verge of collapse and the police element of the force would probably be there for some years.
"Because law and order has broken down completely, that means the Solomon Islands economy is near to collapse," Goff told reporters after meeting Australian counterpart Alexander Downer.
"It also has enormous implications because of its impact on security and stability of the region," he said in Adelaide.
The Australian newspaper reported on Friday that Canberra is working on a 10-year rescue operation for the Solomons that could cost up to $1.3 billion.
Clashes between rival militias from Guadalcanal and Malaita islands, mainly over land disputes, have claimed hundreds of lives in the Solomons over the past five years.
Australia and New Zealand have both said they are ready for rapid deployment but are still waiting for a formal invitation from the Solomons, where parliament will sit on July 8.
Downer and Goff will use a meeting of regional foreign ministers in Sydney on Monday to gather support for the plan.
While committing up to 200 troops and increasing the number of New Zealand police in the Solomons from 10 to 40, Goff also said New Zealand would have to consider doubling the $8 million in aid it currently gives to the Solomons.
The Solomons, scene of some of the fiercest fighting of the Pacific theatre of World War Two, lie about 1,800 kilometres northeast of Australia.
New Zealand will commit 200 troops and about 30 extra police to an Australian-led rescue plan for the lawless and near-bankrupt Solomon Islands, Foreign Minister Phil Goff said on Sunday.
Australia will contribute the bulk of a force of up to 2,000 multinational troops, police and support staff, the biggest military deployment in the South Pacific since World War Two.
Goff said that the Solomons, a former British protectorate known as "The Happy Isles," was on the verge of collapse and the police element of the force would probably be there for some years.
"Because law and order has broken down completely, that means the Solomon Islands economy is near to collapse," Goff told reporters after meeting Australian counterpart Alexander Downer.
"It also has enormous implications because of its impact on security and stability of the region," he said in Adelaide.
The Australian newspaper reported on Friday that Canberra is working on a 10-year rescue operation for the Solomons that could cost up to $1.3 billion.
Clashes between rival militias from Guadalcanal and Malaita islands, mainly over land disputes, have claimed hundreds of lives in the Solomons over the past five years.
Australia and New Zealand have both said they are ready for rapid deployment but are still waiting for a formal invitation from the Solomons, where parliament will sit on July 8.
Downer and Goff will use a meeting of regional foreign ministers in Sydney on Monday to gather support for the plan.
While committing up to 200 troops and increasing the number of New Zealand police in the Solomons from 10 to 40, Goff also said New Zealand would have to consider doubling the $8 million in aid it currently gives to the Solomons.
The Solomons, scene of some of the fiercest fighting of the Pacific theatre of World War Two, lie about 1,800 kilometres northeast of Australia.
- By Wellsy
- By ingliz
- By wat0n