(1)

Is he aware of the report in the Sydney Morning Herald of 10 February 2007, which stated that the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands is close to breakdown; if so, is the report correct; and if so, what is the most recent report on this matter from the Solomon Islands.

(2)

What is the current state of relations between the Solomon Islands and Australia.

(3)

Has he established a precedent in Australian diplomatic relations by paying for the publication of an open letter to the people of the Solomon Islands in that country’s media; if not, on what previous occasions was such action taken.

(4)

In respect of the open letter referred to in Part (3), (a) what was the wording, (b) in which publication or publications was it published and (c) what was the cost of publication.

(5)

Did he, or his department, consult with any member nation of the South Pacific Forum prior to publishing the open letter; if so, (a) with which nations was the matter discussed and (b) what advice was received.

(6)

What has been the response of the Solomon Islands people to the open letter.

(1)

Yes I am aware of the report. RAMSI continues to do very good work in maintaining security in Solomon Islands and in helping to equip Solomon Islands overcome the many difficulties the country faces. The political environment is challenging, but the Australian Government is working hard to keep RAMSI in place and effective.

(2)

Australia remains committed to Solomon Islands through both RAMSI and bilaterally. We continue to look for ways to engage with the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) in order to deal effectively with issues as they arise, and have urged the SIG to provide an opportunity for our High Commissioner to present his Letter of Introduction, to enable him to carry out his duties.

(3)

The High Commission in Honiara took the decision to buy space to ensure the letter was printed in full. I understand this is the first time that space has been bought for such a purpose in Solomon Islands newspapers.

(4) (a)

See Attachment A for copy of my letter to the people of Solomon Islands.

(b)

The letter was published in the Solomon Star, Island Sun, and the National Express newspapers.

(c)

Total cost was SBD12,003 (approximately AUD 2265.00) for publication in the three newspapers.

(5)

RAMSI contributing countries were briefed on the letter on the day of publication.

(6)

It is difficult to gauge public reaction. However, the editorial in the Solomon Star on 9 February 2007 highlighted the need for Solomon Islands and in particular Prime Minister Sogavare, to mend the relationship with Australia.

Attachment A

A Letter to the People of Solomon Islands

From the Hon. Alexander Downer

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Australia

I have taken the step of writing directly to you, the people of Solomon Islands, because I believe you have a right to know the plain facts of what is happening in the relationship between my country and yours, and in particular the current attempts being made to undermine Australia and the Pacific region’s efforts to help you through the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

It would seem that Solomon Islands is once again at a cross roads. At such a crucial time in your country’s history, I feel it is important that the people of Solomon Islands have access to accurate information about the views of Australia, your friend and neighbour, who has been working so closely with you these past years, especially through our leadership of RAMSI.

I know - because you have told me - that the majority of you appreciate very much this partnership and what we have managed to achieve together in the past four years. Solomon Islands is a very different place now than it was prior to RAMSI’s arrival. I also know each and every one of you remembers only too well the fear and intimidation, the breakdown in basic services, the closure of hospitals, schools and medical clinics, the hopelessness that took over so many of your lives.

Australians and indeed your regional neighbours who make up RAMSI remain committed to working with you to prevent a return to those bad old days; we remain committed to keeping RAMSI in place, so that Solomon Islands can continue to move forward.

Sadly there seems to be a deliberate push to undermine RAMSI, to tarnish its reputation, and make it hard for it to continue its work. For instance, personnel are finding it difficult to enter the country and take up their positions in RAMSI, and for their families to stay in Solomon Islands with them. At the same time, the Solomon Islands Government has spoken about removing the legal protection which allows RAMSI personnel to undertake their work efficiently and independently.

There has also been an insulting attempt to smear RAMSI with the allegation that prostitution was being allowed on RAMSI premises. No evidence was ever produced to justify this shameful allegation.

More recently the outrageous allegation was made in a Solomon Islands court that Australia was behind an alleged plot to assassinate your Prime Minister. Not only is this not true, it is a grave insult to the people and government of Australia.

It would appear that you, the people of Solomon Islands, are currently facing two very important decisions: 1. Whether RAMSI and its partnership with you is to continue and 2. Whether certain units of the Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) should be re-armed.

Moves by the government to re-arm the SIPF are of very great concern. RAMSI has acknowledged that the SIPF will need to use some arms in the future. But despite what has been achieved so far in building the capacity of the SIPF, it is clear that it is too early yet for such a sensitive step.

It appears most Solomon Islanders agree. I understand a recent newspaper poll found that 95 per cent of the many asked were opposed to re-arming. The RAMSI Special Coordinator believes, and we support his judgement, that it would be against RAMSI’s mandate to support re-arming in the face of such strong concerns from the people of Solomon Islands.

The security of the Solomon Islands Prime Minister is, of course, a very serious matter. RAMSI provided armed close personal protection to Prime Minister Sogavare until he – not RAMSI – asked for this protection to be removed in late 2006. RAMSI remains ready and willing to assist in meeting the Prime Minister’s security needs.

Australia has also been watching with some concern as government institutions in Solomon Islands, designed to ensure the government and people are accountable for their actions, have been undermined. The government dismissed the Attorney General, a Solomon Islander, and replaced him with a man wanted in Australia on child-sex charges. Late last year, the Solicitor General, a RAMSI deployee, was forced to leave after being personally threatened. Without giving any reason, the government then banned the Police Commissioner, Shane Castles, from the country.

Despite all of this, Australia has attempted to move ahead on the bilateral relationship. We have welcomed to Australia a new Solomon Islands High Commissioner, His Excellency Victor Ngele. We have also appointed a new High Commissioner to Solomon Islands, Peter Hooton, who is keen to advance our shared interests. Unfortunately, the Solomon Islands Government has now cancelled two appointments for Mr Hooton to present his letter of introduction, thereby preventing him from carrying out his legitimate duties as Australia’s representative to Solomon Islands.

Australia has been accused of not respecting the sovereignty of Solomon Islands. In fact the whole reason for RAMSI’s existence has been to support and strengthen that sovereignty. Before RAMSI, Solomon Islands’ sovereignty had been seized, at the point of a gun, by bands of thugs and criminals. Since then, RAMSI has been working very hard to ensure that the people of Solomon Islands can live their lives in peace and security. We have helped Solomon Islands to build institutions capable of delivering essential services, such as health and education, to the people. These are the basic building blocks of sovereignty.

Sovereignty, of course, entails responsibility. Leaders are responsible for ensuring they work for the benefit of their people and for listening to and respecting their people’s wishes - this is particularly relevant to the re-arming debate. It is also important that governments play a constructive role in ensuring social and ethnic harmony.

Australia wants to continue to help Solomon Islands face the challenges of your nation’s future. But we are finding this increasingly difficult due to the obstacles being placed in our path. The coming weeks and months will be a critical time. The decisions that your country is currently considering – on RAMSI and the question of re-introducing guns to the police – will lay the foundations for the future. I urge Solomon Islanders to consider these issues very carefully, and to go out of your way to encourage your leaders to listen to you, their people, and make wise decisions for the future of your country.

God Bless Solomon Islands