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Aid misses the mark

This article is a critical veiw of the AusAID White Paper released last month. It argues that the simplistic notion that there is a "root solution" to poverty through good governance, without addressing massive inequality, is perplexing and unmatched by reality. Confined as the White Paper's arguments are to neoliberal dogma, its capacity to effect positive change in the desperate environments of East Timor and Solomon Islands is highly limited. (Toby Carroll and Shahar Hameiri, The Age, 8 June 2006)

http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/aid-misses-the-mark/2006/06/07/1149359815038.html

(Added: Tue Jun 13 2006   Hits: 108)

Australia's aid boomerang won't help the Solomon's

By Tim O'Connor, 2003-07-02 (AID/WATCH Media Release). The announcement by Foreign Minsister Alexnader Downer in Sydney on Monday 30th June, to send Australian troops and a new aid package to the Solomon's was met with a protest from AID/WATCH outside the Four Seasons Hotel. Despite Australia still being a democracy the peaceful protest was broken up by police and one of the committed AID/WATCHers ended up in the back of a police wagon. The Foreign Minister received the following media release.

http://www.aidwatch.org.au/index.php?current=1&display=aw00399&display_item=2

(Added: Tue Jul 08 2003   Modified: Mon Dec 05 2005   Hits: 376)

Australian Forces Must Expand Focus in Solomons, Consult with Islanders

HONOLULU (July 22) -- Australian-led intervention forces arriving Thursday in the Solomon Islands have widespread public support there, but it will take more than restoring law and order to bring long-term stability. The forces also should consult with the islanders on any actions they take. That was the assessment of three Solomon Islanders taking part in an East-West Center conference this week on the future of the violence-torn nation. "The guns will be taken back but what happens to the people who had the guns? What will happen after the Australians return?" asked Joseph Foukona of the Solomon Islands Christian Association Peace Office. "This intervention should bring lasting peace."

http://166.122.164.43/archive/2003/July/07-23-eww.htm

(Added: Thu Jul 31 2003   Modified: Mon Dec 05 2005   Hits: 285)

Beyond Operation Helpem Fren - An Agenda for Development in the Solomon Islands

In light of the Australian led intervention into the Solomon Islands, Oxfam Community Aid Abroad draws attention to the underlying causes of the violence there and fears that these problems will resurface if not addressed by long term development programs. Solomon Islanders will face ongoing upheaval if they are not directly involved in tackling the combination of local and global issues that affect them. July 2003

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/RWB.NSF/db900SID/SKAR-647H8S?OpenDocument

(Added: Wed Aug 27 2003   Modified: Mon Sep 11 2006   Hits: 303)

Beyond Operation Helpem Fren - An Agenda for Development in the Solomon Islands (Full Report - PDF)

Full text in PDF format of Oxfam Community Aid Abroad's report regarding intervention in the Solomon Islands.

http://www.caa.org.au/world/pacific/solomons/report.pdf

(Added: Wed Aug 27 2003   Modified: Mon Dec 05 2005   Hits: 236)

Bridging the gap between state and society: New directions for the Solomon Islands (pdf)

The newly-elected government of the Solomon Islands can help dampen simmering public dissatisfaction, but RAMSI will need to seek more ways to allow ordinary people to have their say in shaping the future of the country. This 34-page report found widespread discontent that talk about economic development has not resulted in real action on livelihoods and human security and a sense of exclusion of the public from government decision making. The report calls for an emphasis on better linkages between rural and urban communities and the state, as well as addressing concerns for employment, rural livelihoods and basic services. (Oxfam, July 2006)

http://www.oxfam.org.nz/imgs/pdf/bridging_the_gap_july2006.pdf

(Added: Fri Aug 11 2006   Hits: 79)

Dissenting voices: local perspectives on the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands

Whilst RAMSI (the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands) has undoubtedly made considerable progress in the areas of law and order and economic recovery, and whilst a majority of Solomon Islanders continue to support the mission, there are also significant and growing voices of dissent emanating from within certain sectors of Solomon Islands' state and society. Moreover, local criticism of RAMSI has sharply intensified following the recent civil unrest which saw widespread looting and the almost complete destruction of the Chinatown district of Honiara. The purpose of this article is to present and examine some of these dissenting voices. (Matthew G. Allen, Pacific Economic Bulletin, July 2006)

http://peb.anu.edu.au/pdf/PEB21-2Allen.pdf

(Added: Fri Aug 25 2006   Hits: 98)

Facing up to Reality in the Solomons

Commentary by James Chin, July 18, 2003. "The announcement by Australia that it will intervene directly in the Solomon Islands to restore law and order has met with mixed reactions in Papua New Guinea and, one suspects, in the rest of the Pacific as well".(Dr James Chin lectures in political science at the University of Papua New Guinea. He has written extensively on PNG politics).

http://166.122.164.43/archive/2001/May/05-02-15.htm

(Added: Tue Jul 22 2003   Modified: Mon Dec 05 2005   Hits: 448)

Former Solomon's Prime Minister warns against the introduction of armed peacekeepers

RNZI News, Created at 8:30 am on 09 June 2003. A former Solomon Islands' Prime Minister has cautioned the government against allowing armed peacekeepers to be deployed from New Zealand and Australia. A delegation from those two countries is due in Honiara tomorrow to discuss the security situation.

http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=getarchive&day=09&month=06&year=2003

(Added: Mon Jun 09 2003   Modified: Mon Dec 05 2005   Hits: 157)

Intervention Awareness Corner - People First Network (PFnet)

This website maintained by the Solomon Islands Development Administration and Participatory Planning Programme states "Operation Helpem Fren is here as friends, to work in partnership with you, to restore promise to your country, to restore hopes for a better life to you and your children. For too long this country has suffered at the hands of a small number of militants and criminals who have terrorised Solomon Islands society, brought the country to its knees, and done a disservice to the reputation of Solomon Islands as a good and generous people."

http://www.peoplefirst.net.sb/intervention/Default.htm

(Added: Mon Aug 25 2003   Modified: Fri Jul 14 2006   Hits: 402)

Land . . . is the issue!

By John Roughan, Sept. 1 2003. Solomon Islanders are deeply convinced that the land issue lies at the heart of the country's current problems. Our many national difficulties directly link back to the whole sensitive feelings about land. It's at that heart and centre that drove (and continues to drive) the last five years of Social Unrest. But exactly what is it about land that is the problem? Why are land-issues considered so fundamental that people drove former friends, sometimes relatives, away and at times hurt, destroy and even kill them?

http://www.dev-zone.org/kcdocs/6009Roughan.html

(Added: Mon Sep 01 2003   Modified: Mon Dec 05 2005   Hits: 423)

National Recovery Plan . . . misses the point!

The Solomon Islands government's National Economic Recovery and Development Plan seriously fails to address the Solomon Islands' fundamental illness, according to John Roughan. He says "A credible recovery plan must be based on understanding that any movement of Solomon Islands towards a peaceful, more self-reliant stable nation has been severely disrupted by conflict and instability."

http://www.dev-zone.org/kcdocs/6072Roughan.html

(Added: Thu Sep 11 2003   Modified: Mon Dec 05 2005   Hits: 234)

Our Failing Neighbour: Australia and the Future of Solomon Islands (pdf file)

Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), by Dr Elsina Wainwright, June 2003. Solomon Islands, one of Australia's nearest neighbours, is a failing state. Over the past five years, a slow-burning political and security crisis has paralysed the country's capital, stifled its economy, discouraged aid donors, and inflicted suffering and hardship on its people. It has virtually ceased to function as an effective national entity. The consequences for Australia are serious..

http://www.aspi.org.au/board.cfm?pubID=30

(Added: Fri Jun 13 2003   Modified: Mon Sep 11 2006   Hits: 221)

Pacific democracy: dilemmas of intervention

A crisis of governance has hit the Pacific island states of Fiji, Tonga and the Solomon Islands. This article assesses its dynamics and local variables, and questions whether foreign intervention is the best solution. (Jon Fraenkel, Open Democracy, 28 November 2006)

http://www.opendemocracy.net/globalization-institutions_government/pacific_democracy_4135.jsp

(Added: Fri Dec 01 2006   Hits: 306)

ReliefWebs Coverage of the Solomon Islands

Articles and media releases from a variety of sources covering the Solomon Islands.

http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/ByCountry/Solomon+Islands?OpenDocument&StartKey=Solomon+Islands&Expandview

(Added: Wed Aug 13 2003   Modified: Mon Dec 05 2005   Hits: 141)

SI Development Updates - SIDU

Site with regularly updated events, news and updates on development issues in Solomon Islands. At SIDU the goal is to provide more context and background linkage to Solomon Islands development related news, than is currently available in online media, without sacrificing balance and timeliness. SIDU welcomes feedback and comments, as they are key to improving relevance and reach of the site.

http://dev-updates.blogspot.com/

(Added: Wed May 14 2008   Modified: Mon May 19 2008   Hits: 53)

Solomon Islands - Should Australia send Peace Keeping Force?

By Tim O'Connor, 2003-06-13 (AID/WATCH Briefing Paper). Conflict in the Solomon Islands has escalated again this week and Solomons PM Allan Kamakeza was in Canberra to meet with Australian PM John Howard to work out a solution. High on the agenda was the installment of a peace keeping force. read on for more information.

http://www.aidwatch.org.au/index.php?current=1&display=aw00385&display_item=2

(Added: Tue Jul 08 2003   Modified: Mon Dec 05 2005   Hits: 197)

Solomon Islands and Australian Aid

AusAID 30 July 2003. "Australia's aid program will play an integral role in helping achieve a return to stability in Solomon Islands and is expected to increase significantly as part of Australia's strengthened assistance."

http://www.ausaid.gov.au/hottopics/topic.cfm?Id=3057_1155_2398_2240_1375

(Added: Fri Aug 01 2003   Modified: Mon Dec 05 2005   Hits: 348)

Solomon Islands PM resigns

Snyder Rini, the new Solomon Islands prime minister whose election last week sparked rioting and looting, has resigned after losing the support of parliament. Rini resigned on the floor of parliament this morning after just eight days as prime minister and as MPs were due to vote on a motion of no confidence against him. (Sydney Morning Herald, 26 April 2006)

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/solomon-islands-pm-resigns/2006/04/26/1145861382125.html

(Added: Wed Apr 26 2006   Hits: 72)

Solomon Islands speaker supports armed intervention in country

RNZI NEWS Created at 4:21 pm on 11 June 2003. The speaker of the Solomon Islands parliament says he supports the idea of an armed intervention force being brought into the country.

http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=getarchive&day=12&month=06&year=2003

(Added: Fri Jun 13 2003   Modified: Mon Dec 05 2005   Hits: 136)

Solomons police commissioner says there is no quick fix for law and order problems

RNZI News, Created at 10:27 am on 13 June 2003. The Solomon islands police commissioner, William Morrell, says a long-term strategy is needed to address the country's law and order problems.

http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=getarchive&day=13&month=06&year=2003

(Added: Fri Jun 13 2003   Modified: Mon Dec 05 2005   Hits: 147)

Ten ways Australia and New Zealand can help the Solomon Islands

By the Rt Revd Terry Brown, 21st July, 2003. "... I want to make 10 concrete suggestions about how Australia and New Zealand can help the Solomons. They are not so exciting as an armed police and military intervention but they are crucial to the future of the country." (The Rt Revd Dr Terry Brown is Bishop of Malaita in the Church of Melanesia. He first came to the Solomons in 1975 as a theological lecturer on Guadalcanal for six years. He returned to Canada where for 11 years he was Asia/Pacific Mission Coordinator of the Anglican Church of Canada, based in Toronto. He returned to Malaita to become bishop there in 1996).

http://www.wfn.org/2003/07/msg00222.html

(Added: Tue Jul 22 2003   Modified: Mon Dec 05 2005   Hits: 330)

The limits of RAMSI [pdf]

After five years, much uncertainty remains in the Solomon Islands over the future of RAMSI. As a security force it still enjoys broad support, but there are serious local objections to its role and its semi-permanent nature has brought new problems. In this report, Dr. Tim Anderson explores the impact that RAMSI has had for Solomon Islanders and highlights the Limits of RAMSI.

http://www.aidwatch.org.au/assets/aw01164/The%20Limits%20of%20RAMSI-FINAL.pdf

(Added: Fri May 02 2008   Hits: 52)

Two Ways to Boil a Frog

By Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka. "In the past couple of years, following the country's civil unrest, Solomon Islanders seem to have developed a high degree of tolerance for the law and (dis)order situation and other social problems in their country. In a way, tolerance is a good thing because it helps people survive in a difficult situation. But, it ceases to be a good thing when people begin to accept their appalling situation as 'normal' and is not bothered to change it." Tarcisius Tara Kabutaulaka, Chief Negotiator for Guadalcanal Province and the Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFM) at the Solomon Islands Peace Conference in 2000, is a leading expert on the Solomon Islands. (East-West Centre Pacific Islands Report)

http://166.122.164.43/archive/2003/June/06-24-tara.htm

(Added: Thu Jul 31 2003   Modified: Mon Dec 05 2005   Hits: 425)

Where next for the Solomon Islands?

Years of violence and conflict have left Solomon Islanders feeling disenfranchised and distrustful of state institutions, say a trio of academics who specialise in Pacific Island affairs. Dr Bethan Greener-Barcham and Dr Manuhuia Barcham at Massey University's Centre for Indigenous Governance and Development, along with Solomon Islander colleague Paul Roughan, say the post-election rioting reveals fundamental problems with the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). Their research suggests that the current problems in the Solomons stem from the overall issue of nation-building, the low levels of capacity within Solomon Islands, and the mission's financial and social sustainablity. (Massey University Press Release, Scoop, 24 April 2006)

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0604/S00190.htm

(Added: Thu Apr 27 2006   Hits: 145)

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