Critical Assessment in Leaked Cable

According to a secret United States diplomatic assessments, more than a billion dollars and eight years of effort by Australia has failed to build political and economic stability in the Solomon Islands.



RAMSI officials however remains popular amongst locals.
(Source: bbc.co.uk )

The assessments say Australia's intensive policing and aid effort has not succeeded in stabilising the country and predict it would relapse into turmoil within weeks if the multinational Regional Assistance Mission were withdrawn.

"Despite large-scale Australian assistance and intensive institution building, Solomon Island democratic institutions clearly cannot cope with the deep fissures and frustrations that divide the many communities in its society," the US embassy in Port Moresby has reported to Washington.

The bleak assessment of Australia's efforts to build effective governance through the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) is given in confidential US diplomatic cables leaked to WikiLeaks and provided exclusively to the Herald.

Describing the Solomon Islands as "fragile" if not "broken", US diplomats have suggested that external assistance may be required for another 10 or 15 years, though it is thought "highly doubtful that the [Solomon Islands government] or the majority of Solomon Islanders envision RAMSI's presence for that long."

They claim that "if RAMSI officers should leave tomorrow, the Solomons could quickly revert to the sad state before its arrival."

Comprising Australian, New Zealand and Pacific island military and police contingents together with civilian administrators, RAMSI was first deployed in the Solomon Islands in July 2003 as the request of its government after a widespread breakdown of law and order.

The peacekeeping and institution-building effort has cost Australian taxpayers more than $1 billion. In 2011-12 Australia will provide the Solomon Islands, which has a population of only 500,000, with more than $260 million in overseas development assistance. Australia has more than 100 troops and 15 federal police officers deployed there.

However, despite the massive aid effort, US officials have approvingly quoted the assessment of diplomatic contacts in Honiara that if RAMSI left it would take about a week for trouble to break out since none of the underlying issues which caused widespread ethnic violence have been addressed.

"There are still people out in communities who have not been brought to justice for atrocities committed during the ethnic conflict. These incidents and the economic tensions ... continue to fester. As is clear to every observer, over the 28 years since independence, modern government has failed to take firm root."

Visiting US diplomats found that RAMSI remains popular with the Solomon Islands people but they also report that the conduct of Australian officials has generated significant resentment.

"There is sentiment that some RAMSI officials/contractors have been heavy-handed, not sensitive to cultural issues and at times patronising in their treatment of Solomon Islanders,"the US embassy in Port Moresby has reported.

US diplomats quoted one Australian RAMSI official saying "I've worked in the Northern Territory ... and I know how to deal with these people."

The leaked US reports confirm that RAMSI and the Australian government were taken completely by surprise by the ethnic riots that devastated Honiara in April 2006. They also record the breakdown of relations between Canberra and the former government of prime minister Manasseh Sogavare who in 2006 declared the Australian high commissioner Patrick Cole persona non grata for alleged interference in Solomon Islands domestic politics.

According to US diplomatic reports, the Australian government responded by secretly blacklisting all Solomon Islands MPs from entering Australia and then prime minister John Howard telephoned his Solomon Islands counterpart to threaten: "I will make things very difficult for you and your government."

The US diplomatic reports frequently refer to endemic corruption in Solomon Islands politics and highlight the role of Taiwanese money in exacerbating political tensions. Australia and the US have protested to Taipei to reduce efforts to buy political influence. The Solomon Islands is one of a handful of countries that maintain diplomatic rel-ations with Taiwan and not China.
Category: Economy
Topic: RAMSI
Source: http://www.smh.com.au

Retrieved: Solomon Times, 30/08/11

Capacity development needs analysis for provinces .

.A workshop on Capacity Development Needs Assessment (CDNA) for Provincial Governments has started in Honiara yesterday at the Heritage Park Hotel.

The Workshop organized by the Ministry of Provincial Governments and Institutional Strengthening (MPGIS) through its Provincial Governance Strengthening Programme (PGSP) starts from Monday 22 August to Friday 26 August 2011.
The CDNA will be piloted in Malaita, Western, Isabel and Guadalcanal provinces. The CDNA will assess the capacity gaps within the PGs in delivering services to the communities within their mandate.


The purpose of the CDNA is to provide MPGIS and Provincial Governments with baseline information of their existing capacity at individual, organizational and environmental levels.


This baseline is the starting point for the MPGIS and the PGs towards developing their long-term capacity development strategy.


The workshop will gather participants from line ministries (Health, Education and Environment), Provincial Governments and IPAM under the facilitation of experts from UNDP Asia Pacific Regional Centre Office in Bangkok.

Dated: Tuesday, 23 August 2011 04:03

ADRA organize program for rural youths .

A four days training targeting youths in Guadalcanal and Malaita successful ended yesterday.

Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) organized the event under the Youth Engage Livelihood Project (YELP) at the Maranatha Hall where the youths camped together for the past four days.
The training kicked off Monday with a reconciliation ceremony where shell money between the youths were exchanged to say sorry for past problems which had affected the two islands.

Topics covered during the training included gender, accountability, disability, educational talks, and financial management .

There were open dialogues, group discussions and drama show.

The project was funded by AusAID and implemented by ADRA.

From North Malaita youths attending the program came from Musukui, Bina, Fouia, Adagege, Gwaunasuu, Kwailabesi, Ngaliwawao and Lumaluu communities.

While from North East Central Guadalcanal youths came from Geza, New Tenabuti, Tumbosa, Kaio, Tau, Bemuta, Doe, Buvi and Vasakiki communities.

Each community has 6 Participants represented their communities which totaled up to 120 participants.

Assistance project manager Patrick Mesia said it is a five years program that aims to mobilize rural youths to share their learning ability, past challenges in communities and focused on Strength Base Approach (SBA).

He said they have introduced the SBA to youths living in rural areas so that youths may understand how to manage themselves.

“Most youths have skills to do things but lack of knowledge and this program is designed to impart important skills to utilizes their resources in their own village so that they may not rely on Parliament Members (MP) and other people,” Mr Mesia said.

Huka Geneses from Vaskiki village in Guadalcanal said the program is an eye opener for him.

“I have learned alot of new issues from this program and also develop friendship.


“I usually hear about strengthen base approach but following this training I now understand the concept and idea how to go about the using my skills and resources in my communities.

“Coming to this program is not a mistake but it is a vision for me to gain some new and fresh ideas to share with my communities.”

The program ended yesterday with a display of what the youths have been doing over the past days.

Participants have also thanked ADRA, AusAID and facilitators for the training.

BY DENVER NEWTER

Dated Saturday, 20 August 2011 09:02

Landowners demands compensation for alleged breach of agreement

THE COUNTRY'S only mining operation, Gold Ridge Mining Limited (GRML), in Central Guadalcanal came to a stand-still all day yesterday after unhappy landowners blocked employees from getting to the mine site. The landowners demanded immediate dialogue with GRML before the road block they put up at 4:00 am can be cleared and six hours later negotiations began.

Landowners from Uluna Sutahuri Tribe are disputing a portionof their land at Valepami near the mine site that was now used by GRML for the relocation of displaced villagers at the mining lease area.

The landowners argued that GRML breached its agreement by constructing 12 houses at Valepami for relocation purposes.

They said the Valepami land which is inside the mining lease area was acquired for mining purposes in the 90’s and not for relocation of displaced villagers following the acquisitioning of the mining lease area.

The landowners said they want compensation from GRML for not honouring its agreement although the amount sought is negotiable.

They said they have been raising this issue with GRML since the beginning of this year but nothing concrete eventuated and their last resort to make the company listen to them was putting up the road block.

When Island Sun visited Valepami yesterday morning the road block was cleared although they eagerly waited by the road side for the outcome of the negotiations at the mine site further inland.

Negotiations at the mine site later switched venue to Honiara where the parties sought clarifications to the definition of ‘mining lease area.’

Attempts all afternoon by this newspaper to get comments from GRML over yesterday’s road block was unsuccessful.

But yesterday’s stop work by GRML will result in the company losing tens of thousands of dollars for loss of business.

Also last Friday, GRML dealt with three road blocks put up by landowners along the Tinahulu River demanding compensation from the company after the pipe carrying cyanide from the mine site to the tailings dam for treatment burst and was believed to spill into the Tinahulu River.

dated Wednesday, 17 August 2011 12:22 administrator

Balula women tailoring project boosted .

Balula women of Temotu province are one of the many successful applicants under the Direct Aid Program (DAP) of the Australian aid program into Solomon Islands.


They were happy recipients of a set of seven new sewing equipments funded under DAP, Australia’s ongoing aid assistance to Solomon Islands to improve the livelihood of communities throughout the country.
Yesterday was a proud moment for women of Balula community after receiving the set of machines from the Australian High Commission to Solomon Islands, Mr Matthew Anderson.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony Mr Anderson said this is an important day and event because it was his first time to ever involved in an aid program in the country after taking office in June of this year 2011.

Mr Anderson said best way for the Australian government and people to prove that the people of Solomon Islands is a must is to provide assistance to show you (people of Solomon islands).

“These sewing machines are for the people of Temotu to help grow your communities, to provide a livelihood and to give you every chance to makes some income and invest to your beautiful children,” said Mr Anderson.

He said he was very impressed by the investments and garments seen on display, singing and welcome given to him and his team.

Meanwhile Mr Anderson said the importance of being here is to tell you that the people of Solomon Islands matter to Australia, its people and the Australian high commission in the country.

He said his committee received a great lot of applications very year far more than they can ever approved, however must congratulate the people from the sewing project for their application.

Mr Anderson further stresses that the only way project proposals get approved is when they are of high quality written, well supported and obviously going to help and benefit the people.

He wishes every one that involved the best of luck and success in the project.

Facilitator of Balula women and tailoring project Fr Selwyn Sae was humbled to thank Mr Anderson and his colleagues for the handing over of the equipments.

He said Balula women sewing and tailoring project was so fortunate to become recipients of the project.

“The project started from a humble beginning in 1978 by Mary Sae with one foot and hand sewing machines. Both are still in good working conditions.

“The project is now boosted with seven new ones and I am convinced it will create more job opportunities and income generation for the entire community,” said Fr Sae

Balula on Minevi Island is a 45 minutes drive in an outboard motor canoe to Lata, the provincial capital of Temotu province.

Mrs Sae who spoke on behalf of the Balula women also thanked the Australian high commission for approving their sawing project.

“I stand with pride and salute your government for your great assistance and assure you we’ll look after these properly well for the benefit of our people”, said Mrs Sae.

By Daniel Namosuaia

dated Wednesday, 17 August 2011 08:48 .

National Mining and community awareness forum a success .

The three days national mining and community awareness forum at the Forum Fisheries Agency Head Quarters (FFA) has successfully completed.

The forum was first of its kind in the country which draws key stakeholders, community representatives, government official, local NGOs, mining reps, donor partners and overseas participants.
Objectives of the forum are to create basic knowledge and understanding about issues involving the mining industry the process, risks and benefit sharing issues.

In his closing remarks to the end the forum, minister for mines energy and rural electrification, Moses Garu said without participants’ participation the forum would not turn out successful.

He said the participation of women groups was highly commended with gender balance participation in common effort to promote and successfully develop the mineral sector for the benefit of this country and its people.

Mr Garu hoped that what is learnt will assist in the mutual understanding for forward planning and progress in the mining industry sector.

He highlighted that Solomon Islands was blessed with a good geological base for which the current number of mineral licenses issued as of date to exploring companies if more than sixty and two mining leases which signifies the country’s very interesting geology.

He said Solomon Islands is part of the “Pacific Rim of Fire”, host to some of the world class mines therefore important that all stakeholders must be fairly and adequately versed with the resources and process to which it can be developed, exploited, administered and managed for a maximum benefit to all Solomon islands and its people now and in the future.

He also stressed the paramount importance of such opportunity for which all stakeholders learn from each other their issues of concerns and assist in making ways for a conducive environment for progress of the mineral sector.

The minister advices that we all need to put away our differences and out our heads together in partnership in the development of this sector.

“Also the government too needs to revisit the current mining legislations to make amendment to ensure our mining laws are conducive and attractive to accommodate mineral investors in the country” said Mr Garu.

Also speaking during the closing ceremony is the deputy director of mines Joseph Ishmael highlighted that participating at this forum signifies their enthusiasm and cooperation to ensure that mining industry is operated sustainably for the good of this country and its people.

Mr Ismael hoped that what is learnt out of this forum it will help participants go back to their various works of life and share it to bring a constructive contributions to draw up policies and framework that would bring about maximum benefits for the mining sector and to ensure that it is used sustainably for the enjoyment of our future generation as the theme says,” working together for a sustainable mining”.

Meanwhile World Bank representative Miss Endriana Eftimi said three messages identified out of this three days forum are; lack of information and misunderstanding which can lead to greater harms.

“Therefore the more we share and integrate, the better is the progress unfolding.”

Sitting together and discussing issues that affects all of us is the way forward in ensuring the development of the country, she said.

And her final message was a bird needs two strong wings to fly, therefore humanity needs both men and women to work equally together and help each other in all aspects of planning and decision making to successfully move forward.

The forum was funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the ministry of mines and energy and ministry of finance.

It was coordinated by the Solomon Islands Development Trust (SIDT)

Participants of the forum showed great appreciation of what they have achieved and hope that more forums like this will be done in the provinces in the future.

By Daniel Namosuaia


Dated: Friday, 19 August 2011 10:01 .

PM on growth centres .

PRIME Minister Danny Philip has defended his policy on the establishment of economic growth centres throughout the country. <.....read more........>

This idea is one of his flagship policies under his new Government’s reform.
However some critics said it was waste of money to build these economic growth centres.

But PM Philip said if his critics said that fundamental reforms don’t matter then they are defying diversity as a reality in the demography of Solomon Islands.

He was speaking at Malaita 28th Anniversary second appointed at Aligegeo field on Monday.

“If they espouse the notion that establishing economic growth centres is a waste of development funds; than I say to them that they are defying the way God had created this country with many islands and separated by sea,” he said.

“For it is not possible my friends for us to share one road, one bridge, one wharf, one powerhouse, one clinic or school.

“God created our diversity and he further created our geography,” Prime Minister said.

“These are things that we cannot change no matter how hard we try.

“The best we can do is to use our God given wisdom to harness best practices, sensible and practical policies to bring about efficiency and growth,” PM Philip said.

He said this is the way National Coalition for Rural Advancement (NCRA) Government thinks; to use wisdom to harness the best out of the situation we are in.

“We do not choose to be here by choice but by the necessity of destiny,” he said.

Under the NCRA’s new reform, it planned to build four economic growth centres in Fomamanu (East Malaita), Suava Bay (North Malaita), Wairokai in East Are Are and Afio in Small Malaita.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 14:43

PM on growth centres .

RIME Minister Danny Philip has defended his policy on the establishment of economic growth centres throughout the country.

This idea is one of his flagship policies under his new Government’s reform.
However some critics said it was waste of money to build these economic growth centres.


But PM Philip said if his critics said that fundamental reforms don’t matter then they are defying diversity as a reality in the demography of Solomon Islands.


He was speaking at Malaita 28th Anniversary second appointed at Aligegeo field on Monday.


“If they espouse the notion that establishing economic growth centres is a waste of development funds; than I say to them that they are defying the way God had created this country with many islands and separated by sea,” he said.


“For it is not possible my friends for us to share one road, one bridge, one wharf, one powerhouse, one clinic or school.


“God created our diversity and he further created our geography,” Prime Minister said.


“These are things that we cannot change no matter how hard we try.


“The best we can do is to use our God given wisdom to harness best practices, sensible and practical policies to bring about efficiency and growth,” PM Philip said.


He said this is the way National Coalition for Rural Advancement (NCRA) Government thinks; to use wisdom to harness the best out of the situation we are in.


“We do not choose to be here by choice but by the necessity of destiny,” he said.


Under the NCRA’s new reform, it planned to build four economic growth centres in Fomamanu (East Malaita), Suava Bay (North Malaita), Wairokai in East Are Are and Afio in Small Malaita.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

Isabel tops introduction of new crops .

Isabel Province is involved in taking the lead in the introduction and production of exotic but lucrative agriculture crops that is coffee and kava to name a few.

These words were expressed by the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Connelly Sandakabatu during the farewell function held for him and the delegation following a visit to the province last week.
“Isabel is also leading other provinces in terms of rice production in 2009,” he said.

Mr Sandakabatu said so far 85 hectares of yielding estimated at 255 tonnes valued at $3.8million was produced by the province so far.

He added agriculture in the Solomon Islands remains vital to the country’s economy social prosperity.

“Agricultural products represent 24.2 percent of the national export.”

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 03:52

Solomons' corals seized in US .

A Florida university says hundreds of seized coral skeletons illegally poached in the Solomon Islands will be used for research and educational purposes.

Nova Southeastern University said it has been given 22 pallets of the confiscated corals by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

A shipping container from the Solomon Islands containing the illegal corals was seized at the Port of Tampa in July 2010, a university release said Friday.

The shipment, with an estimate value of between USD$500,000 and USD$1 million, was seized on grounds it violated both the Endangered Species Act, which protects federally-listed endangered and threatened species, and the Lacey Act, which prohibits the trade of fish and wildlife that has been illegally taken, transported or sold.

"This donation by CBP and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will help us produce valuable scientific knowledge and educational outreach to protect corals, which are vital to the ocean's ecosystems," Richard E. Dodge, dean of the NSU Oceanographic Center, said.

Conservationists said the corals would be put to good use.

"The international trade of coral for consumer use is threatening coral species and marine biodiversity on a global scale," Jackie Marks of SeaWeb's Too Precious to Wear campaign said.

"Using the seized coral for educational outreach will help corals remain in the ocean where they can continue to play a critical role in ocean health."

Wednesday, 17 August 2011 09:05

PM Danny Philip challenged Malaitans

PRIME Minister Danny Philip has challenged Malaitans to build a new Malaita.

This came after historically, Malaitans were the builders of the economy then and today for their manpower and human resources.

Speaking at the province’s 28th anniversary of second appointed day at Aligegeo field yesterday morning, PM Philip said the theme “IUMI TUGETA FOR BUILDIM A PROSPEROUS MALAITA” is not of the ordinary.

“You have proven it; you have build the economic bases of other island provinces; you have cleared their forests and planted their coconut and oil palm plantations; you built their roads and their towns, cut and exported their logs, built their wharves and fishery industries; their airports and bridges,” he said.

“You have chosen this theme today as a challenge for yourself.

“I challenge you further that; if you were able to do it for others; what about doing it to yourselves now and built a new Malaita,” the Prime Minister said.

He said his Government is prepared to develop Malaita province provided its people opened up their land for development.

The Prime Minister said people might said it was enough for political rhetoric because land was the main hindrance on Malaita.

However, he said land was never a problem but the people or resource owners themselves.

He said his Government wanted to see big projects like Bina Harbour and Auluta Basin kick off inorder to create 20,000 to 30,000 jobs for Malaitans.

PM said under his Government, it planned to establish four growth centres in Fomamanu- East Malaita, Wairokai in West Are Are, Suava Bay in Malaita and Afio in Small Malaita.

Hundreds of people turned up to celebrate the occasion.

It was also broadcasted live on radio.

Among the invited guests were Deputy Prime Minister, Manasseh Maelanga, MP for North Malaita Jimmy Lusibaea, Baegu Asifola, David Tome, Small Malaita Rick Hou, Standley Sofu of East Kwaio, John Mane of West Are Are, MP for Temotu Nende, Commins Mewa, Connelly Sandakabatu of North West Choiseul and other invited guests from Honiara and overseas.

The day featured parade, speeches, cultural performance and soccer match between the national side and the Malaita select.

By EDDIE OSIFELO
In Auki