SOLOMON IS: Ramsi contributors be consulted.
Updated
The head of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands has raised concerns about a proposed review of the legislation that provides the legal framework for the mission's presence in the country. The Special Co-ordinator of RAMSI, Tim George says contributing countries should be involved in any move by the Sogavare government to amend the Facilitatation of International Assistance Act.
Sam Seke
Presenter:
Speakers: Tim George, Special Coordinator of RAMSI
GEORGE: On the one hand, there are many statements by the government and which have been made over a long period now, which are positive about RAMSI, and are positive about the partnership and we certainly welcome those. But at the same time, we're finding the lack of transparency on this question of the FIA Act, the fact that there is to be a review based on a very flawed document and also that we are hearing some language from the prime minister and anothers which I regard as quite negative. So that's what I mean by mixed messages. My hope is that we move forward in the positive path that is laid out by the forum task force report and that would provide a very good way forward.
SEKE: One of the statements made by the prime minister. I think it was in parliament was that RAMSI has grossly undermined the laws of the Solomon Islands and the systems of Solomon Islands, that's not very fair is it?
GEORGE: No, I do take strong exception to that comment. I think its quite incorrect. I mean RAMSI was really asked to help Solomon Islands regain the ability to once again enforce its own laws and system and that's really what we've been doing. So it's a question of strengthening, not undermining or weakening.
SEKE: Minister George, what would be the main sort of interest of the contributing countries in the Regional Assistance Mission in the review of RAMSI?
GEORGE: Well, the contributing countries and I will make the point that all members of the Pacific Island Forum are active contributors to RAMSI and have people here in Solomon Islands, so they have a very direct and strong interest in developments here relating to RAMSI. They have a strong interest in any proposals to change the facilitation of international assistance act, which really creates the rational and the conditions under which their people are here. So if there are to be moves to change that act, it's important I think that they are not just informed of any such moves, but that they be engaged in a very genuine and thorough process of consultation. They have very strong and legitimate interests in that particular process.
SEKE: Let me may be point things in perspective here, like Solomon Islands, especially Honiara, and parts of Guadalcanal and Malaita was in a virtual state of anarchy and there was no proper rule of law, there's no proper governance system in place, and the economy had virtually collapsed okay, before the intervention of the Regional Assistance Mission. So how does that make you feel when the prime minister is now saying that there is no genuine mess in the intervention?
GEORGE: Yes, well as I say, he has said a number of things about RAMSI and in addition to that particular comment, which I find quite wrong and take exception to, but on the other hand, he on many occasions has made positive comment about the role of RAMSI, the good work that it has done and the fact that it has more work to do. So we'll work through on the positives. I do note that we have good working relations across the three main work areas of RAMSI with our Solomon Islands colleagues and work continues, progress is good, and we intend to work through on that agenda.
