Solomon Islands’ government dismisses Australian police chief

Foreign Minister Patterson Oti released a public statement which described Castles as an “undesirable immigrant” and stated, “his continued presence here [is] considered prejudicial to the peace, defence, public safety, public order, public morality, security and good government of Solomon Islands”.

The incident marks another setback for Canberra’s agenda in the Solomons and the South Pacific. In 2003, after declaring the Solomons a “failed state” and potential terrorist haven, the Howard government dispatched a military-backed intervention force called the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). Australian personnel continue to dominate the Solomons’ state apparatus, including its police, courts, prisons, media, economic institutions and finance department, and public service. RAMSI is considered a model for Australian neo-colonial intervention throughout the South Pacific, with Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Vanuatu among those targeted for similar treatment.

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http://wsws.org/articles/2007/jan2007/solo-j04.shtml