| Submit your comments on this article |
| Down Under |
| Solomons to shorten amnesty for turning in illegal weapons |
| 2003-07-15 |
| EFL The Solomon Islands plans cutting a proposed amnesty period for the handing in of weapons from 30 to 14 days following consultations with both militant groups and the Australian Government, Prime Minister Sir Allan Kemakeza said yesterday. There had been concerns that the longer amnesty would pose dangers for the Australian-led police and military intervention force, due in the country as early as next Thursday. There are estimated to be more than 1000 unlawful military-style weapons at large, many in the hands of criminals and ethnic militants. Sir Allan predicted that a parliamentary debate on legislation to provide a legal framework for the intervention force - due to begin today - would be long and difficult. However, he said its passage would be assisted by a late additional provision under which Australian and other foreign police and soldiers could be subjected to civil actions for any wrongdoing when they were not on operational duty. "There will be a hard debate, but I have confidence that eventually it will get through," Sir Allan told the Herald. The Australian Government has demanded immunity from prosecution for the force of about 2000 police, soldiers and support staff for actions undertaken during the performance of their duty. Wonder where they got that idea? Australia has also insisted on the right for foreign personnel to be able to use lethal force where considered necessary. New Zealand and Fiji agreed yesterday to contribute about 260 personnel to the Australian-led intervention force. Fiji agreed to send 123 troops with peacekeeping experience. New Zealand said it would send 105 soldiers, 35 police and four helicopters to join the deployment, the largest in the region since World War II. "There is always some risk element in such a deployment, but current reports from Honiara are that it is calm and that violent confrontation is not expected," the New Zealand Foreign Minister, Phil Goff, said. "Since we don’t expect to have to fight, we’ll send troops." |
| Posted by:Steve |