FED: Australia needs to stay in Solomons as long as it takes: minister

AAP General News (Australia)
04-21-2006
FED: Australia needs to stay in Solomons as long as it takes: minister

SYDNEY, April 21 AAP - Australian troops will stay in the Solomon Islands for as long
as it takes to build stability in the troubled nation, Acting Defence Minister Bruce Billson
says.

A deployment of 110 Australian troops and 70 Australian Federal Police (AFP) officers
arrived in the Solomons on Wednesday night, following riots in the capital, Honiara.

They joined 282 AFP officers already there as part of the Regional Assistance Mission
to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

The troops have restored peace in the strife-torn nation but there are fears violence
could again erupt when the first session of parliament commences next week.

Mr Billson told the Seven Network today Australia would remain in the Solomons for
as long as it took to build a "vibrant" and "stable" state.

"We'll be there as long as we need to be there," he said.

"The Solomon Islands is an important regional neighbour and it's in our interest as
much as it's in the interest of the people of the Solomon Islands not to see the Solomon
Islands become a failed state.

"We need Solomon Islanders feeling that they've got prospects of a better livelihood.

That's good for the region; that's good for the Solomon Islands; and it's good for our
nation."

Opposition treasury spokesman Wayne Swan said there was very strong bipartisan support
in Australia for the sovereignty of the Solomons.

More resources were needed for the troubled nation, however, in terms of policing and
social aid, Mr Swan said.

"We (Labor) will be supportive of that because we have no choice," Mr Swan told the network.

"The alternative is simply too horrible to contemplate."

AAP af/tam/pe

KEYWORD: SOLOMONS BILLSON

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