BY INDY MAEALASIA
A spokesperson for the former Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and Correctional Service Solomon Islands (CSSI) said the invitation and presence of foreign forces in the country ahead of the 17th Pacific Games “paints a bad picture of the country”.
Frank Elli Siliako speaking to Island Sun said this demonstrates that the country is “bad, corrupt and made up of criminals”.
Siliako said the government might not realise this but this might also paint the country as a “war zone”.
As the country is expecting 500 participants from 24 Oceania countries as well as tourists flocking into the country in the coming days, Siliako added that the presence of these foreign forces around the city during the games might raise questions among visitors.
“They might ask why are there foreign forces in the country?
“Is the country in trouble?” he said.
He added that the country despite being diverse, does have ways of settling internal conflicts.
Silaiko further said the root of most recent conflicts is because the government refuses to have dialogues with its citizens.
So far, Australia has shown its commitment to the Solomon Islands government and the RSIPF to deliver a safe and secure games by deploying personnels.
A statement from the Australia Federal Police (AFP)stated that the additional personnels will help the RSIPF to provide support in security operation and planning during the two weeks of the games.
The AFP is working alongside other personnels from Fiji, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.
