Posted by KE on 8/7/2003, 9:33 pm Plans for the Solomon Islands parliament to adopt unchanged Australia's proposal for intervention are on track despite debate being adjourned until Parliament, which met amid very light security, adjourned without incident in the capital Honiara, where Australian troops and police are expected to be soon deployed to restore law and order. Solomons Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza tabled a policy document on the proposed intervention, but immediately adjourned the debate until 0830 AEST Australia is planning to lead 2,000 police and troops to quell violence in the lawless and near-bankrupt South Pacific state. Solomons politicians turned out in unusually large numbers to consider the policy document on the intervention, which has now been officially requested by the country's Governor-General. This policy statement represented the best hope for Solomon Islands in the future, the document said. Throughout the day, local radio stations were busy reading and explaining the details of the policy document to Solomon Islanders, who have already expressed overwhelming support for Australian intervention. Local commentators doubted any of the politicians would try to derail the plan, despite possible sticking points such as the length of the amnesty and the extent of the intrusion. The policy document noted that the intervention should be fully compatible with international law. Above all the proposed offer is based on an initial request from Sir Allan for assistance to help the government restore law and order. Australia and New Zealand have said an important task of the intervention force would be to deal with the so-called warlord Harold Keke, a mysterious figure who rose to prominence after a 2000 coup. Keke refused to sign an Australian-brokered peace deal after the coup that stemmed the violence between rival ethnic militias from Guadalcanal and
Solomons intervention 'on track'
Tuesday 8 July 2003, 4:30 PM
Wednesday.
Wednesday.
The document adopted without amendment the plans put forward by the Australian government last month following Kemakeza's request to Australian
Prime Minister John Howard.
After tabling the document, the prime minister immediately adjourned the parliamentary debate.
Military intervention should be taken in a collective manner and be fully compatible with international humanitarian law and the UN Charter, the document said.
neighbouring Malaita islands.
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