SOLOMON ISLANDS URGES GREATER UN INVOLVEMENT IN REGIONAL PEACE OPERATIONS

SOLOMON ISLANDS URGES GREATER UN INVOLVEMENT IN REGIONAL PEACE OPERATIONS
New York, Oct 1 2007 7:00PM
The United Nations needs to become more involved in the management of regional peacekeeping operations in trouble spots or the lead countries in those missions will inevitably use them for the benefit of their own economic interests, the Solomon Islands' Foreign Minister told the General Assembly today.

Patteson Oti said his Government has begun a parliamentary review of the legislative basis for the continuing presence in his country of the Regional Assistance Mission to the <"http://www.un.org/webcast/ga/62/2007/pdfs/solomonislands-eng.pdf">Solomon Islands (RAMSI), which was deployed in 2003 to try to quell violent unrest after years of simmering ethnic tensions.

RAMSI comprises police, military and civilian personnel from Australia, New Zealand and 13 Pacific island nations.

While the visiting forces deserve credit for restoring law and order, Mr. Oti said, the underlying social and cultural causes of tensions in the Solomon Islands have not been addressed.

"Moreover, those who pay the piper call the tune… Howsoever dressed and rationalized, intervention and occupation allow 'assisting' nations to spend and earn substantial revenue for their supporting businesses and industries," he said.

"Mine is too nationalistic a Government to become captive to the fortunes which justify our perpetual retention under siege. My Prime Minister, fellow Government ministers and parliamentarians, as well as our Attorney-General, remained unmoved by Australian resistance to our attempts to reclaim our sovereignty and independence."

Mr. Oti said the Solomon Islands' experience with "the Australian-designed 'cooperative intervention' package demonstrates the need for greater UN involvement in the leadership of future regional peacekeeping operations."

Noting his multiple-entry visitor visa to Australia was cancelled suddenly last year on the grounds that he was "a risk to the health, safety and good order of the Australian community," the Foreign Minister said it was an illustration of "international anxiety, insecurity and paranoia" about the threat of terrorism.

"One would have to admit that is an incredible justification for excluding democratically elected leaders of neighbouring countries unknown for breeding terrorists," he said.
2007-10-01 00:00:00.000

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