Three planeloads of Australian troops will today leave for Solomon Islands, in a show of force directed at rebels around Honiara. The Federal Government has ordered an infantry company from Townsville to leave for Honiara, after the murder of 26-year-old Australian Protective Service officer Adam Dunning. A sniper using a military-style rifle fired on the police vehicle that Mr Dunning was travelling in with another officer. Mr Dunning was shot in the back and died at the scene. The infantry company, who have been on rapid response stand-by for several months, was given just 24 hours notice of their deployment. Defence Minister Robert Hill says 100 troops will leave in three waves, arriving in the Solomons throughout the afternoon. "They will travel by C-130," he said. "We expect the first C-130 to be off the ground by midday."
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Senator Hill says the military deployment is intended to send a message to armed rebels that Australia will not be intimidated. There will now be around 260 Defence personnel and 150 Federal Police in the Solomons. The Government is giving no indication how long the soldiers leaving Townsville will be required to stay. Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty said yesterday that the murder was being fully investigated but agreed it would not deter the work of Australian police in the Pacific region. He said commanders of the force in the Solomons were considering the use of body armour. "The police in Solomon Islands, remembering that it is largely an unarmed mission because so many weapons have been removed from the community, don't [want to] have a knee-jerk reaction to this," he said. "[We want to] have a measured response. Having said that, we will take every precaution necessary to protect our own staff."
The Federal Member for the Townsville-based seat of Herbert, Peter Lindsay, says Australian troops will stay in Solomon Islands for as long as it takes to restore safety. About 100 troops will be sent from Townsville to Solomon Islands today in response to the murder of an Australian Protective Service Officer on patrol in Honiara. Mr Lindsay says it is unfortunate timing. "It is hard for the soldiers going today to the Solomons, they will be away from their loved ones at Christmas but they are part of the ready deployment force," he said. "They understand they can be called anywhere in 24 hours notice and they will be responding today where Australia needs them." |