3 October 2007
Right of reply to the Country statement of the Solomon Islands to the 62nd session of the General Assembly
The Hon Robert Hill, Ambassador of Australia to the United Nations
(As delivered)
I am exercising a right of reply in relation to assertions by Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Oti in his statement to the General Assembly on 1 October that the Australia-led Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has occupied Solomon Islands and is in contravention of the UN Charter these assertions are completely unfounded.
RAMSI is a Pacific Islands Forum endorsed mission it was deployed at the request of the Solomon Islands Government in response to a deteriorating law and order situation in Solomon Islands RAMSI was also supported by the UN Security Council and the Commonwealth.
RAMSI’s presence and work in Solomon Islands is underpinned by an international treaty between Solomon Islands, Australia and all the other members of the Pacific Islands Forum, who are active participants in RAMSI facilitating legislation that was unanimously passed by the Solomon Islands Parliament.
As the country entrusted under the RAMSI Treaty with lead responsibility for RAMSI, Australia remains vigilant of the importance of respecting the sovereignty of Solomon Islands RAMSI clearly does not seek to substitute for the Solomon Islands Government rather, RAMSI has created an enabling environment so that the Solomon Islands Government can once again deliver essential services to its people all RAMSI programs are agreed with the Solomon Islands Government RAMSI has worked in partnership with the Solomon Islands Government to rebuild the institutions of state and enable them to enforce the country’s own laws and regulations in so doing, RAMSI has assisted Solomon Islands reassert its sovereignty.
There are a variety of mechanisms in place which ensure RAMSI’s accountability to Solomon Islands Government and contributing countries, including a treaty obligation for the Australian and Solomon Islands Prime Ministers to jointly report to Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ meetings on RAMSI each year monthly reports to the members of the Pacific Islands Forum annual reporting by RAMSI on its performance a medium term strategy which maps out an agreed path by the Solomon Islands Government and RAMSI towards the completion of RAMSI’s mandate a wide ranging review of RAMSI by the Pacific Islands Forum, at the specific request of the Solomon Islands Government.
RAMSI has now been in Solomon Islands for four years and in that short time, has made remarkable progress that has seen fundamental improvements to people’s daily lives law and order was quickly restored, enabling people to lead normal lives, free of fear and intimidation revenue has grown in the order of over 500% foreign investors are returning the Solomon Islands Government is producing balanced budgets overnment services, such as schools and health clinics, have been restored.
Given these significant achievements, it is not surprising that RAMSI continues to enjoy widespread community support in Solomon Islands a recent survey demonstrated that over 90 per cent of Solomon Islanders continue to support the presence of RAMSI in their country.