SOLOMON IS: Ramsi boss dismisses Sogavare claims
Updated
The head of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands has dismissed claims by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare about the presence of illegal guns in the country. Mr Sogavare told parliament that Ramsi Special Coordinator, Tim George had told him a number of times that there were no illegal guns in the community.
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Presenter: Sam Seke
Speakers: Manasseh Sogovare, Solomon islands Prime Minister; Tim George, Special coordinator of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands
SEKE: Tim George strongly dismissed this claim.
Mr George said at no time had he or any of his predecessors ever told Prime Minister Sogavare that there were no illegal guns in the community.
He said while a large number of weapons had been surrendered, it's common knowledge that there's an unknown quantity of illegal guns still in the community.
Speaking in parliament this week, Mr Sogavare said the government is aware of armed elements that are seeking to destabilise the peace that now exist in the country.
Mr Sogavare said the government will be seeking answers from RAMSI on the issue of security.
SOGAVARE: The government is fully aware of certain elements that are seeking to destabilise the peace which has been maintained to date and with the existence of firearms still at large Mr Speaker, throughout our communities, civil disturbances of any kind involving the use of guns will be the direct responsibility of RAMSI Mr Speaker who have been mandated by our laws as the only personnel permitted to carry weapon in this country Mr Speaker, because we are sitting ducks.
The special coordinator has on previous occasions assured me that RAMSI was not aware of any firearms still in circulation with ex-militants or members of the public Mr Speaker. Now I'm really, really surprised. If in fact there are still individuals in possession of any number of firearms, Solomon Islands Government will require a full explanation from RAMSI regarding the status of the disarmament program and reasons why such details have been withheld from the relevant authorities Mr Speaker. So the people of Solomon Islands cannot be lured into a false sense of security as those responsible for maintaining the peace. Facts must be made clear by RAMSI to the general public regarding any risks which may exist that threatens social harmony and welfare of their community.
SEKE: But the RAMSI Special Coordinator, Tim George said illegal guns in the community is a police issue.
Mr George said while the RAMSI police play a supporting role in policing work, its main emphasis now is on capacity building with the Solomon Islands police force.
GEORGE: After RAMSI arrived, there were a large number of guns that were surrendered. But it is still common knowledge that there are some guns illegally out there in the community. It's not possible to say how many there are or exactly where they are, but it is common knowledge that there are still some guns illegally in the community. So the statement by the prime minister in parliament that I had assured him that RAMSI was not aware of any firearms still in circulation, that's not correct actually. It must have been a misunderstanding on his part. That's not something I have said or the previous special coordinators have said.
SEKE: Do you have a disarmament program in place and if so how is that going?
GEORGE: As I say, there's been a very large number of weapons were surrendered after RAMSI arrived back in 2003. I think approximately 3,700 weapons. There's still illegal weapons out there and that's the policing issue of course. Now RAMSI's role here on the policing side is very much supporting the Solomon Islands police force and when there are reports of guns being used or cited then that is a policing issue.
The role of RAMSI police here has changed quite a lot since the early days of RAMSI when the RAMSI police had a much more front line role in policing. The RAMSI police, the PPS have now stepped back to a very large degree from that role and the main emphasis on the PPS role now is in capacity building with the Solomon Islands police force to strengthen that institution and the personnel.
