Short term fix for long term problems!

22 January 2007

The long term issue of a solid and growing-in-strength relationship between Solomon Islands and Australia is in the best interest of both nations. Forever both nations physically float together in the same ocean next to each other . . . neither will ever drift away from the other! Their hundreds of years of close interaction through the world of commerce, education, governance stands, inter-personal actions have grown uniquely over the years. Both countries are currently trying their best to strengthen these mutual ties.

However, the recent 3 1/2 years of extremely close, almost emotional, ties, have turned out to be the hardest, multi-level and unique joining of two different countries, compared to anything in their past 200 years history. Both countries currently climb steep learning curves! Rather than a curve, however, it looks more like a line straight up wards.

Unfortunately, neither nation has a ready made blueprint to follow in order to put each other's actions/reactions into some kind of perspective. The recent dust up about police training with firearms is currently a typical point of disagreement.

Let's be quite clear on the issue. The SIG/RAMSI disagreement is not about Solomons embarking on flooding the nation with the importation of thousands of small arms. It is not about bringing in new weapons but solely about training police staff in the proper use of weapons once they do enter the nation. A recent RAMSI plan was to have police training in gun practice but that was to be sometime in the future. The former Police Commissioner had even specified exactly which firearms, their exact cost and best place to access them would be best for the police force to import.

RAMSI police, then, already had plans drawn up to introduce this very training. SIG had repeatedly, over months, requested from police authorities for this training to be focused on the Close Personal Protection Unit. This is the special police unit which is geared up to provide protection--special driving skills, self defense methods and firearm instruction--to protect the PM, VIPs and other dignitaries. Since RAMSI was unwilling to introduce this skills set to the PM's Personal Protection Unit at an early date, the government asked Taiwan to help secure this necessary training.

Unfortunately, RAMSI in its wisdom scuttled the government's initiative. How a third nation--Australia--can reinterpret Solomon Islands' government's request for firearm training from another nation seems strange to say the least. The question must be asked: "Who in the world is really in charge of the country. RAMSI or SIG?"

No one in government is talking about introducing or importing fresh firearms into the Solomons. Never that I am aware of has the present government made any plans to re-introduce new firearms. It's about national leadership perceiving a serious gap in its required protection of its citizens. Government initially asked RAMSI to provide this service, already at hand in its police presence, but received a negative answer. The Solomons, then, decided to seek help from a third country. When it did so, it was over ruled and told that this was not the proper time for firearm training. Such training would be more appropriate at a later date!

Canberra threw its weight around internationally and convinced Taiwanese authorities that the Solomon's police now in Taipei would not be trained in firearm use. But further questions are now on the table! During the up coming June/July period when the Intervention Legislation is to be reviewed, it's doubtful that this kind overbearing presence will be easily forgotten. Was dialogue--taking into account Solomons and Australian views on the need and the timing of training for safe use of fire arms--ever part of discussion?

It would be best for both parties, then, to deepen dialogue on a range of issues before they become unmanageable. One thing for sure, however, Solomon Islands' understanding of its people, its institutions and its future remain first and foremost in the hands of its own elected officials. Invited friends and guests no matter how well versed they think they are on the state of the nation and where the nation should be heading must learn deeply who is in charge.

J. Roughan
22 January 2007
Honiara