Niue makes history joining RAMSI

OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL COORDINATOR

REGIONAL ASSISTANCE MISSION TO SOLOMON ISLANDS

MEDIA RELEASE Tuesday 17th October 2006

Niue makes history joining RAMSI

For the first time, all of Solomon Islands’ neighbours and partners in the Pacific Islands Forum are contributing to the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). This follows Niue’s decision to provide two police officers to RAMSI’s Participating Police Force (PPF).

RAMSI Special Coordinator James Batley said today that the mission was delighted to welcome Niue. He said Niue’s decision marked a historic step in what had developed into one of the most successful examples of cooperation in the region’s history.

“RAMSI is a partnership with the people and government of Solomon Islands. Its strength comes from its integrated nature – combining police, military and civilian personnel; combining contributions from 15 different countries; and combining activities not just in the area of law and order, but also in strengthening government institutions and building the capacity of Solomon Islanders to manage their own affairs,” Mr Batley said.

“Niue’s decision to join RAMSI demonstrates the strong regional support for the work we doing to help rebuild Solomon Islands.

“Solomon Islanders will understand the magnitude of this act of generosity from a country with very limited resources which is recovering from a major cyclone. This is an act of true friendship.”

Welcoming Niue to the mission, PPF Commander Will Jamieson said that the police officers from Niue would arrive in Honiara in November after a comprehensive induction course in Australia.

“It is very pleasing to have another Pacific Islands country contributing to a regional approach to law enforcement and capacity building efforts,” he said.

"I am sure that Niue will make a positive impact.”

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands: Australia, Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, PNG, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

ENDS

© Scoop Media