BY TONY IROGA
With contribution by Duran Angiki, in Brisbane, Australia
Solomon Islands foreign policy practice over the past few years has been described by the Prime Minister as “totalitarian and redundant”.
“We keep (on) saying enemies to none; but it a bit authoritarian and redundant”, said Prime Minister, Matthew Wale, who is currently in Brisbane.
Speaking at a dinner in Canberra on Tuesday night, in honour of his delegation, hosted by the Solomon Islands diaspora community, Mr Wale did not miss the opportunity to highlight an uncomfortable truth about the former government’s foreign policy direction.
“[When we say friends to all, we must mean it. Not the kind of friends to one and enemy to the other – vice versa], which has been the foreign policy in practice for the las few years, and we hope that we will put an end to it.”
“[Australia has been a long-time friend of the Solomon Islands. We’ve been friends for the last 100 years. Even when they came and took some of our people (by force) during the black birding days, they are still our friends].
“[For us, the South Sea Evangelical Church (Sikos), we inherited that legacy – a spiritual legacy]. In terms of spiritual legacy. God uses these things that are evil to bring good. I think if we can claim this historical legacy – although in the surface it did not look good – but deep down, it’s binding peoples together.
“Of course, other missions came out of Australia to the Solomons and brought the gospel to our people. It holds greater significances.
“[We shouldn’t be thinking that foreign policy is conducted at top level and devoid or divorce from things that are affecting simple people; people to people relationships].”
He said, “good international relations built on this people-to people relationships, adding that – “Of course Australia has gone to be a reliable, faithful partner in the developmental aspirations of our country”.
Australia’s contribution through RAMSI in restoring law and order in the Solomon Islands was a clear indication of this relationship.
He said, back then, China was not yet establishing any relationship with the country.
“As someone whom the armed militia almost kill several times, I would say RAMSI was a great success. My being alive here today is a testament to the success of RAMSI.
“We greatly appreciate the Australian assistance,” he said.
There was no doubt Australia had its own interests and calculation, but mostly Australia came and helped to rebuild the country, Wale said.
“I know, RAMSI was success in re-establishing the rule of law [in the country once again].”
Prime Minister Wale acknowledged that: “We have many challenges as well known in our beloved country. Premier among the challenges is one of each.
One: “We have struggled to have leadership that is in touched with challenges that people are facing – leadership that is sensitive to it”.
Two: “We have struggled with a departure, where the government is held hostage by a few interests. Because elite…because of leaders are captured. Corruption is going on in logging that migrate into the mineral sector” he added.
“We need to end this,” Wale said.
“In our discussion with the Australian government, we are looking to Australia for technical assistance to help the country fight corruption.”
Urgently, he said: “We need technical assistance to help us fight corruption that is weakening our state and governance.”
Wale said: “And of course we are also looking for economic opportunities, mostly where Australia will help us to rebuild our country.
“The government intends to build our own economy so that we can offer opportunities for our young people.”
About 50 people from around Canberra and regional South Western New South Wales (NSW) and Sydney came to meet and dine with the Prime Minister, and members his delegation now visiting Canberra for bilateral talks with the Australian government.
Today morning (June 5), the Prime Minister and his delegation will be visiting Golden Cockerel factory, Mout Cotton, South East Brisbane, as part of their facts-finding mission.
On Saturday, the Prime Minister and his delegation will depart Australia to New Zealand in the last leg of its bilateral visit to Australia and New Zealand.
For feedback, contact: [email protected]
Editor: [email protected]
