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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by verne on April 21, 2006, at 12:07:44
NZ sent troops too.
verne
Posted by Damos on April 23, 2006, at 18:05:28
In reply to 500 Austrailian Troops occupy the Solomon Islands, posted by verne on April 21, 2006, at 12:07:44
Verne,
I know you didn't mean the header to be inflammatory or offensive. But as an Australian I would greatly appreciate it if you could change it to something remotely approximating the truth, as I'm sure my NZ friends would too.
We are not an *occupying* force and the majority of the contribution of all nations (Aust, NZ, Fiji, Tonga and PNG) are police (unarmed I believe) and other civilian personnel. 19 Australian police were injured in the rioting, I unfortunately can't speak about those of the other nations. The additional troops were sent to *protect* those other personnel and the newly elected parliament. We also have a number of severely injured Solomon Islanders in our hosiptals suffering machete and other wounds (2 are quadraplegic and parapelgic now) who were attacked simply because they were considered 'Chinese'. We have also participated in similar *regional* initiatives e.g. Bougainville
Info and links:
‘The Pacific intervention force was dominated by Australia and went to the
Solomons to help restore stability after the Prime Minister, Sir Allan
Kemakeza, asked for help’‘This is a Pacific solution to a Pacific problem’.
‘Over 2000 police, military and civilian personnel from New Zealand,
Australia, Fiji, Tonga and Papua New Guinea are currently serving there. It
has the support of the Pacific Island Forum, the Commonwealth and the United
Nations’.‘We anticipate a low-key approach. The deployment is there only for as long
as the Solomon Islands people and Government want it to be. They retain
sovereignty. The purpose is not to replace the Solomon Islands Government
but to work along side it and to build its capabilities. They retain
responsibility’.‘First and foremost, this is a Police-led operation. Our military will go to
support the police and will be able to give civil and humanitarian
assistance’.‘The arrest of Harold Keke was also a huge step toward peace. He will face a
murder inquiry. He was wanted for alleged crimes involving around 50
murders. Keke was a person it was felt would never surrender. There was now
pressure on Malaitan ex-militants to hand over their weapons. A number of
high-powered weapons still remain in the community, however, and there are
suspicions that some former militants and criminal elements have hidden
weapons’.‘Prime Minister Helen Clark and Defence Minister Mark Burton visited the
Solomon Islands on 22 September 2003 for two days. The trip allowed the PM
and Mr Burton to observe the work being undertaken by the New Zealand police
and defence personnel. She met Solomons Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza
and other leaders, including the leadership of the Regional Assistance
Mission’.http://www.army.mil.nz/default.asp?CHANNEL=OPERATIONS&PAGE=Solomon+Islands
http://www.defence.gov.au/opanode/
http://www.ausaid.gov.au/hottopics/solomon/solomons_ramsi_details.cfm
http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/png/bougainville/bougainville_peace_process.html
Posted by verne on April 23, 2006, at 19:12:38
In reply to Re: 500 Austrailian Troops occupy the Solomon Islands » verne, posted by Damos on April 23, 2006, at 18:05:28
Posted by Damos on April 23, 2006, at 20:28:16
In reply to Re: 500 Austrailian Troops occupy the Solomon Islands » Damos, posted by verne on April 23, 2006, at 19:12:38
Still doesn't change the fact there are *not* 500 Australian troops, and that they are *not* an occupying force.
The other issues raised in the link are abhorrent and sad if true. It is also unfortunate that similar accusations have been made against many UN missions around the globe.
And none of this changes the fact that I wish we weren't there in any way shape or form; didn't need to be.
Posted by verne on April 24, 2006, at 7:08:22
In reply to Re: 500 Austrailian Troops occupy the Solomon Islands » verne, posted by Damos on April 23, 2006, at 20:28:16
"Another 110 troops are on their way to the Solomon's capital Honiara, boosting Australia's commitment to some 500 troops."
Posted by Dr. Bob on April 24, 2006, at 21:14:21
In reply to Re: 500 Austrailian Troops occupy the Solomon Islands » Damos, posted by verne on April 23, 2006, at 19:12:38
> http://www.greenleft.org.au/back/2006/665/665p28.htm
> > Sir Peter Kenilorea, the speaker of the Solomons parliament, “blamed Australian Federal Police officers for aggravating civil unrest by firing tear gas at [the] protesters”
Please be sensitive to their feelings of others. Even if you're linking to a page that's quoting someone else.
But please don't take this personally, this doesn't mean I don't like you or think you're a bad person.
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#enforceFollow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by jakeman on May 2, 2006, at 23:09:47
In reply to Re: 500 Austrailian Troops occupy the Solomon Islands, posted by verne on April 24, 2006, at 7:08:22
I was going to post a response to continue this discussion. But after seeing the warning I'll shut up.
> "Another 110 troops are on their way to the Solomon's capital Honiara, boosting Australia's commitment to some 500 troops."
>
> http://www.abc.net.au/ra/news/stories/s1621054.htm
This is the end of the thread.
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