15 Nov 2004

Glowing report on RAMSI in Solomon Islands still isolates some concerns

7:10 pm on 15 November 2004

Despite compiling a glowing report on the success to date of the Regional Assistance Mission in Solomon Islands, the intervention task force has also raised a number of concerns.

The deputy chair of the taskforce, Gordon Darcy, says the report cites three main areas of concern.

The first is the lack of detail on how long RAMSI will remain in Solomon Islands.

Mr Darcy says there is also the need for the national government to start taking greater ownership of the country's administration.

And he says probably the key worry for the task force is the level of immunity given to RAMSI personnel.

"In terms of law and order and the military component, it is justified that they should enjoy some degree of immunity, but in terms of the civil component they should now be brought back to the normal degree of immunity, that is enjoyed by the normal diplomatic missions and aid missions."

Mr Darcy says the taskforce is proposing a separate agreement for civilian RAMSI staff to provide this lesser degree of of immunity.