I used to work there until the civil war started. Most of the locals
want us there because we're not members of one group (onetok) or
another. It may have escaped your attention, but IIRC the Govt vote to
ask us in was *unanimous*.

The Solomons was a nice place and could be one again. Even now, most
of the trouble is on Guadalcanal & Malaita, mainly in Honiara (the
capital). The western provinces are quiet and the sailing/diving is
superb. I've dived on WW2 wrecks in 60m visibility. It doesn't get
much better, anywhere.

Feel free to pontificate all you like from a distance, but I've
actually been there and know the place.

Peter Wiley

On Wed, 23 Jul 2003 01:16:54 GMT, "jlrogers" wrote:

Solomon Islanders feeling uneasy
Wednesday 23 July 2003, 6:05 AM




Former militants in the Solomon Islands were becoming uneasy as the bulk
of an Australian-led intervention force prepared to fly to the
strife-torn nation, police said.

Royal Solomon Islands Police Commissioner William Morrell said he was
trying to calm the locals before most of the police and military force
arrived on Wednesday.

"I think many of the ex-militants are concerned about the potential
intervention and one of the things I'm trying to do is reassure them,"
Mr Morrell told reporters.

"My view is we will not see many arrests in the first few days."

Australian Federal Police (AFP) Commissioner Mick Keelty said Australian
police who were finalising preparations in Townsville had experience in
East Timor, Bougainville

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/20...853098708.html